After numerous local and Sydney-based individuals and organisations wanting to help the Nyngan community during these dry times, the Bogan Shire Council are set to establish a local Drought Appeal fund. 

Shire General Manager Derek Francis said currently there are no structures in place to coordinate and distribute these  contributions, and therefore at this month’s council meeting will discuss plans to set up a committee for the Drought Appeal fund. 

“We’ve had contact from people both locally and from Sydney wanting to do something to help the farmers in our community with the drought,” Mr Francis said. 

“There still needs to be discussion with councillors to formalise it, and we need to work through how administratively it’s going to work,” he said.

At this stage Mr Fancis said the Appeal Fund will accept cash donations administered by the general manager and based on determinations of the committee will be distributed to applicants via a voucher system redeemable at select local businesses. 

“Although it’s obviously directed at people on the land, in times like this everyone’s affected and if we try and encourage that those purchases are from local businesses then it will help everyone in the town,” Mr Francis said.

More details of the Appeal Fund will be made known following this months council meeting on Thursday, August 23.

Once established the Fund’s bank account details will be made widely known to enable those wishing to make donations to do so. 

In the meantime any enquiries can be directed to the General Manager on 6835 9000.

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