PHIL DONATO MP MEMBER FOR ORANGE GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY CLOSURE: E PETITION The ongoing closure at Victoria Pass is hitting our region hard disrupting freight, hurting local businesses, increasing safety risks, and adding pressure on families and volunteers. I've taken this directly to the NSW Government. This isn't just an inconvenience, it's exposed a major failure. A critical corridor carrying over 12,000 vehicles a day should never be this vulnerable. I'm pushing for immediate support, proper transport alternatives beyond Bathurst, action on fuel costs, and a long-term solution, not a temporary fix. Regional communities are tired of being an afterthought. We deserve safe, reliable infrastructure, and will continue holding the Government to account. Sign the ePetition Share it with others Visit https://shorturl.at/GKly8 ORANGE SPORTS PRECINCT: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH After more than seven years, the management of the Orange Sports Precinct falls well short of community expectations. With approximately $75 million committed, this project should have been delivered by now prolonged by ongoing delays and uncertainty. not Ratepayers are entitled to transparency, accountability, and tangible outcomes. I have been contacted by many members of the community expressing serious concerns, and I will be seeking clear and detailed answers from Council. Our community deserves far better. I was also pleased to welcome the Hon. Steve Kamper MP to Orange at the end of April. Given the NSW Government's interest in seeing the sports stadium and broader precinct completed on time and within budget, I took the opportunity to show the Minister for Sport the site firsthand. FIREARMS LEGISLATION PETITION RESPONSE The NSW Government has now responded to the record-breaking ePetition signed by 98,660 people regarding firearms laws. While the response acknowledges that the vast majority of firearm owners are law-abiding, concerns remain about how reforms are being implemented. I will continue to advocate for: Fair and proportionate laws Evidence-based policy Clear distinction between law-abiding firearm owners and criminals Public safety must be balanced with fairness and I will keep pushing for that balance. Was honoured to attend the offical opening of the new Veritas House Transitional Housing in Orange. Attended the official opening of the new Supermarket and bottle shop at Bloomfield Congratulations to Mr Timothy Kelly on his official commissioning as Principal of Kinross Wolaroi School. With a distinguished career in education and business, it's great to welcome Tim and his family to Orange. A strong community turnout in Robertson Park, Orange and at Forbes came together this ANZAC Day to honour those who have served and sacrificed for our nation. Lest We Forget. Reminder that the 154th Orange Show is on Saturday 9 May & Sunday 10 May at the Orange Showground P 02 6362 5199 E ORANGE@PARLIAMENT.NSW.GOV.AU MEN'S HEALTH WEEK EVENT GETTIN'-A-GRIP MEN'S HEALTH Men's health remains an issue that doesn't get the attention it deserves and that needs to change. That's why I'm launching Gettin' a Grip, a major event to kick off Men's Health Week in June, right here in Orange. This isn't just an event, it's about starting conversations and saving lives. With high-profile participants, health professionals, and strong community engagement, the goal is simple: Get men talking Get men checked Get men connected This builds on years of work supporting mental health initiatives across our region, and I'm proud to continue that advocacy. For more details visit https://www.facebook.com/Gettinagrip. GRANT FUNDING Now Open The Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal's Strengthening Rural Communities Small & Vital grants (up to $10,000, or $50,000 for digital projects) and Prepare & Recover grants (supporting disaster preparedness and recovery) are now open for rural and regional communities. Applications close 24 June 2026. Visit https://frrr.org.au/funding for more info and to apply. MR PERFECT BBQ'S SUN 3 MAY AND 7 JUNE COOK PARK ORANGE 11:30-2pm SUN 10 MAY AND 14 JUNE MEMORIAL HILL PARKES 11:30-1:30pm 194A LORDS PLACE ORANGE NSW 2800 Authorised by Philip Donato MP, Member for Orange. Funded using parliamentary entitlements. PHIL DONATO MP MEMBER FOR ORANGE GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY CLOSURE : E PETITION The ongoing closure at Victoria Pass is hitting our region hard disrupting freight , hurting local businesses , increasing safety risks , and adding pressure on families and volunteers . I've taken this directly to the NSW Government . This isn't just an inconvenience , it's exposed a major failure . A critical corridor carrying over 12,000 vehicles a day should never be this vulnerable . I'm pushing for immediate support , proper transport alternatives beyond Bathurst , action on fuel costs , and a long - term solution , not a temporary fix . Regional communities are tired of being an afterthought . We deserve safe , reliable infrastructure , and will continue holding the Government to account . Sign the ePetition Share it with others Visit https://shorturl.at/GKly8 ORANGE SPORTS PRECINCT : ENOUGH IS ENOUGH After more than seven years , the management of the Orange Sports Precinct falls well short of community expectations . With approximately $ 75 million committed , this project should have been delivered by now prolonged by ongoing delays and uncertainty . not Ratepayers are entitled to transparency , accountability , and tangible outcomes . I have been contacted by many members of the community expressing serious concerns , and I will be seeking clear and detailed answers from Council . Our community deserves far better . I was also pleased to welcome the Hon . Steve Kamper MP to Orange at the end of April . Given the NSW Government's interest in seeing the sports stadium and broader precinct completed on time and within budget , I took the opportunity to show the Minister for Sport the site firsthand . FIREARMS LEGISLATION PETITION RESPONSE The NSW Government has now responded to the record - breaking ePetition signed by 98,660 people regarding firearms laws . While the response acknowledges that the vast majority of firearm owners are law - abiding , concerns remain about how reforms are being implemented . I will continue to advocate for : Fair and proportionate laws Evidence - based policy Clear distinction between law - abiding firearm owners and criminals Public safety must be balanced with fairness and I will keep pushing for that balance . Was honoured to attend the offical opening of the new Veritas House Transitional Housing in Orange . Attended the official opening of the new Supermarket and bottle shop at Bloomfield Congratulations to Mr Timothy Kelly on his official commissioning as Principal of Kinross Wolaroi School . With a distinguished career in education and business , it's great to welcome Tim and his family to Orange . A strong community turnout in Robertson Park , Orange and at Forbes came together this ANZAC Day to honour those who have served and sacrificed for our nation . Lest We Forget . Reminder that the 154th Orange Show is on Saturday 9 May & Sunday 10 May at the Orange Showground P 02 6362 5199 E ORANGE@PARLIAMENT.NSW.GOV.AU MEN'S HEALTH WEEK EVENT GETTIN ' - A - GRIP MEN'S HEALTH Men's health remains an issue that doesn't get the attention it deserves and that needs to change . That's why I'm launching Gettin ' a Grip , a major event to kick off Men's Health Week in June , right here in Orange . This isn't just an event , it's about starting conversations and saving lives . With high - profile participants , health professionals , and strong community engagement , the goal is simple : Get men talking Get men checked Get men connected This builds on years of work supporting mental health initiatives across our region , and I'm proud to continue that advocacy . For more details visit https://www.facebook.com/Gettinagrip . GRANT FUNDING Now Open The Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal's Strengthening Rural Communities Small & Vital grants ( up to $ 10,000 , or $ 50,000 for digital projects ) and Prepare & Recover grants ( supporting disaster preparedness and recovery ) are now open for rural and regional communities . Applications close 24 June 2026 . Visit https://frrr.org.au/funding for more info and to apply . MR PERFECT BBQ'S SUN 3 MAY AND 7 JUNE COOK PARK ORANGE 11 : 30-2pm SUN 10 MAY AND 14 JUNE MEMORIAL HILL PARKES 11 : 30-1 : 30pm 194A LORDS PLACE ORANGE NSW 2800 Authorised by Philip Donato MP , Member for Orange . Funded using parliamentary entitlements .