The Premier of NSW's 'Category C' Natural Disaster Declaration for properties affected by the Cobbler's Road Fire makes $15,000 grants available to primary producers affected by the fire in the Parishes of Birrema, Bookham, Bowning, Talmo and Woolgarlo in the Harden and Yass Shires. Additionally, three Catchment Management Authorities have joined together to offer free aerial property maps to fire affected landholders throughout the state.

I've been busy travelling around the electorate earlier this month, listening to constituents' feedback about the LLS in particular, and I attended community consultation meetings in Yass and Grenfell. As your local member as well as the Minister for Primary Industries, I truly value the thoughts and comments of all Burrinjuck constituents. In Cootamundra I joined the residents and staff for the opening of the new club house at the Wattle Grove Retirement Village.

Over the past month, I am pleased to say that has been quite a bit of positive news for Burrinjuck. The Cowra LEP has now been approved allowing minimum lots sizes for RU1 Primary Production zoned land of 100 ha and creating the Cowra Peace Precinct. Cowra was also the beneficiary of new funding through Habitat Action Grants of $10,000 to enhance recreational fisheries in the Lachlan River near the Cowra CBD. Improving native fish habitats, many of which are also popular fishing spots, has the added bonus of increasing tourism and bringing more recreational anglers, a win-win situation for everyone!

Four Crown Reserves in the electorate have received more than $147,000 in new funding – Rugby Hall and Recreation Reserve Trust, the Dirnaseer Public Hall Trust, the Frogmore Hall and Recreation Reserve Trust, the Young Showground Trust and the Illabo Showground Trust have all had injections of much needed funds to support the development, maintenance and projection of these valuable assets that contribute so importantly to the fabric of our towns and villages.

We've also had a few wins recently on transport issues, with Gooloogong residents getting money for a new bus shelter and interchange, and Crookwell in line for a new bridge over the Crookwell River. There was also great news for Young with the recommendations prioritising a satellite dialysis service for Young in the draft Murrumbidgee Renal Clinical Services Plan 2013-2017 that was released this month.

It was brought to my attention that there were plans afoot to remove the popular water slides at Wyangala Dam. I lobbied the Deputy Premier, and their removal was put on hold, which was a pleasing outcome.

Yass High School Principal, Sandra Hiscock and I met with the Education Minister Adrian Piccoli to talk about repairs to the school following the fire that destroyed the industrial arts block, and use this opportunity to upgrade the school's education facilities.

So, until next month, I wish that more gentle rain continues to fall, and that green grass continues to replace the blackened ground.