State Matter - 3 August 2026
- Dave Layzell MP
- Aug 3
- 9 min read
EDUCATION CELEBRATION
PUBLIC Education Week 2026 is putting public schools across the Upper Hunter Electorate in the spotlight this week, Monday through Friday, 3-7 August.
This year’s theme is ‘Inspiring Excellence’ and is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of local public schools, students, teachers and learning communities.
Public Education Week will see schools open their doors to welcome parents, carers and community members, and showcase the incredible learning experiences happening every day.
From early learning to Year 12, NSW public schools will celebrate the people and programs that make a difference in students’ lives.
Families are encouraged to get involved by attending open days, school events or community celebrations for a chance to see firsthand how schools are inspiring excellence in every child — through creative classrooms, dedicated staff and inclusive school cultures.
REZ REPORT
The NSW upper house inquiry into the impact of Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) on rural and regional communities and industries across the state has tabled its final report.
Portfolio Committee No. 4 on Regional NSW has reported 25 findings and made 16 recommendations.
In the last two years, the committee visited all REZs across the state including the Hunter–Central Coast, Central–West Orana and New England to see firsthand the effects of the rapid implementation of the REZs and its impact on rural and regional communities.
The committee also conducted site visits with the property of Michael Holz at Mitchell's Flat, Singleton one of the locations viewed in the Hunter-Central Coast REZ.
Key among the committee's findings was that the government has presided over the roll-out of REZs without a coherent, enforceable, whole-of-government planning framework resulting in predictable and avoidable harm to rural and regional communities.
The committee also found that EnergyCo, as the REZ infrastructure planner, has failed to perform its central coordinating role and that its community consultation, and that of renewable energy developers, has failed to provide affected communities with the capacity to meaningfully influence outcomes.
It recommends that the NSW Government review each Renewable Energy Zone and the impacts on each regional community affected while each zone is rolled out, recurrent funding be provided to local councils in each REZ and that the compensation and benefit-sharing framework be expanded.
To read the report, go to: www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/parliamentary-business/committees/inquiry-details?committeeInquiryId=3065
GET TRANSPORT CONNECT
Pensioners and seniors, who use public transport will no longer have to carry a physical Gold Opal card to access $2.50 capped daily fares or the weekly fare cap.
Opal 2.0 upgrades will now allow them to tap on with their bank card, phone or smart watch.
Passengers can access the new digital option by opening a Transport Connect account online, adding their Seniors or Pensioner Concession card details and linking it to a credit or debit card.
Passengers can still use their physical cards if they choose with the Opal upgrade to see 25,000 new Opal readers installed across rail, metro, bus, light rail and ferries, replacing the familiar machines passengers have “tapped on” to for more than a decade.
To open a Transport Connect account online, go to Link your concession:
NOW, THIS IS CRICKET!
Parliament Unpacked returns this week with cricket the subject for ‘A Good Innings’.
It will explore the uncanny connections between democracy, the game of cricket and the NSW Parliament.
Featuring an expert panel of MPs, and special guests, including Geoff Armstrong, who has been described as 'Australia's pre-eminent sports historian', former international cricketer, Rachael Haynes, and Parliament's Nathan Anderson, a published cricket historian and passionate storyteller.
Whether you're a cricket enthusiast, history buff or simply curious about Australia's past, get ready to explore the intersection of sport, politics and nation-building on Tuesday, 4 August, 5.30-6.45pm.
Attend the NSW Parliament in person for the atmosphere by using the booking code ‘DUCK’ or join the online spectators, at: www.eventbrite.com/cc/parliament-unpacked-good-innings-4854561
EAR, HERE
If you haven’t discovered the Pastoral Poddy podcast then find some time to check-in at the Hunter Local Land Services Facebook page.
The four-part Good Neighbours series dropped across last week as part of the NSW Government’s Good Neighbours Program.
Pastoral Poddy covered how land managers across the rangelands are tackling pests, weeds, and biosecurity challenges together.
In Episode 2, Dr Andrew McConnachie from DPIRD Biosecurity and Food Safety explores how biological control is being used alongside traditional methods to deliver more sustainable, long-term results.
Episode 3 looks at how land managers are tackling vertebrate pests like feral pigs, foxes, rabbits and deer and how tools like FeralScan help track and respond to pest activity.
Plus, you’ll hear from western NSW landholder Brendan Cullen about the real impact of coordinated action, from reducing fox numbers to managing wild dogs and invasive weeds.
Track down Pastoral Poddy at: www.facebook.com/HunterLLS
COERCIVE CONTROL REVIEW
The Department of Communities and Justice is calling for community input as part of its review of the state’s coercive control law.
As the law is still new, feedback will help build an understanding of the law's early impact and guide how it continues to evolve over time.
On 1 July 2024, coercive control in current or former intimate partner relationships became a criminal offence in NSW.
Coercive control is when someone repeatedly hurts, scares or isolates another person to control them.
A discussion paper and summary paper have been developed to support the review with public participation encouraged by completing a survey or uploading a submission before 28 August: www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/coercive-control-review
MINE REHAB UPDATE
The Upper Hunter Mining Dialogue has released the 2025 annual report on land disturbance and rehabilitation of mine land.
During the 2025 calendar year, 410 hectares of land was newly disturbed by mining activities whilst 800 hectares of land was rehabilitated.
At the end of last year, 27,221 hectares of land disturbed by mining had not yet commenced rehabilitation.
The complete report can be found at: https://miningdialogue.com.au/project/2025-rehab
NEW AWARDS
Information sessions will be held next week for a new awards program to recognise and celebrate regional and local communities preparing for Australia's electric vehicle market.
Applications for the EV Friendly Towns Awards are now open with the information sessions on Tuesday,11 August, 10-11am and Thursday,10 September, Noon-1pm.
The NSW Government and the Electric Vehicle Council have launched EV Friendly Towns, to identify and promote local councils making it easier for EV drivers to visit, stay and spend locally through charging infrastructure, visitor amenities, tourism experiences and community leadership.
The awards will recognise the work of communities in three different categories including Tiny for populations under 1,500 residents, Small for populations between 1,500 and 5,000 residents and Top for populations above 5,000 people.
Nominations close 25 September with the awards to be presented later this year: https://evfriendly.com.au
VOLUNTEERS RECOGNISED
The commitment of three of the Upper Hunter’s long serving volunteers was recognised recently at the Liverpool Range Rural Fire Service Long Service Medal Presentation.
Dean Newling of the Thornthwaite RFS Brigade thanked for 74 years of service, Gundy Brigade’s Peter Blake honoured for his 72 years of service and Don Gardiner recognised for 71 years of dedication to Dangarfield Brigade.
The RFS describing Dean, Peter and Don’s ongoing participation in their brigades as “a rare and outstanding achievement marking a lifelong commitment to protecting others.”
Congratulations to the Upper Hunter’s amazing trio and thank you to everyone recognised at the Scone ceremony for their work and dedication to volunteering for our community.
Meantime, Gresford and Bolwarra-Largs Brigades have taken delivery of new firefighting vehicles delivered by the NSW Rural Fire Service.
RFS Commissioner Trent Curtin using delivery of the new vehicles to remind the community to begin getting ready for the bush fire season, by preparing homes and discussing bush fire survival plans, learn more here: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare
PROJECT APPROVED
Planning approval has been granted by the NSW Government for the Hunter Transmission Project.
The approval enables construction of a new 110-kilometre, 500 kilovolt transmission line that will strengthen NSW's electricity grid and improve energy security.
Strict conditions are part of the approval and are designed to protect the environment, manage construction impacts, support landowners and make sure ongoing engagement with local communities throughout delivery.
These include dedicated conditions around social impacts, biodiversity, Aboriginal Cultural Heritage, and local business participation.
Subject to Commonwealth Government approval, construction is expected to commence in late 2026 and be completed in late 2029.
More information about the Hunter Transmission Project is available at:
ALSO COMING
Works have begun on the NSW electricity transmission network to enable the installation of synchronous condensers.
This critical grid-stabilising equipment will support the state’s energy transition from coal to renewables.
Transgrid is deploying a total of ten synchronous condensers across five sites under the first phase of its System Strength Plan, following a NSW Government direction to accelerate procurement of the equipment as a Priority Network Infrastructure Project (PNIP).
Project enabling works have already started at the first two priority sites in Newcastle and Kemps Creek with enabling works to also be delivered at the Armidale substation.
The complex civil and building works are anticipated to take 12 to 14 months at each site, including earthworks, major foundations, underground services such as drainage, cabling and earthing, and construction of buildings housing electrical and communications systems.
They are being carefully sequenced so installation of the synchronous condensers begins as soon as they arrive in Australia, which is currently expected from mid-2027.
The synchronous condensers will be progressively installed and commissioned with a target of February 2029 for all units to be energised, in line with the PNIP.
EXPERTISE NEEDED
The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure is currently recruiting expert members and chairs for Local Planning Panels (LPPs) and Regional Planning Panels (RPPs).
LPPs and RPPs determine complex development applications and provide advice on planning proposals, operating independently of council and ministerial direction on matters of substance.
A pool of approximately 220 expert members and 160 chairs for local panels, and 4 chairs, 8 state members and 25 alternate members for the state’s 4 regional panels are required with prospective candidates encouraged to apply for both panels.
Expertise is required in one or more fields including planning, architecture, heritage, the environment, urban design, economics, traffic and transport, law, engineering, tourism, or government and public administration.
Chair candidates need expertise in law or in government and public administration, plus the leadership and facilitation skills to guide panel discussion and decision-making.
Applications close 17 August at: www.orchardtalent.com.au/planningpanels
PLANS EXTENDED
Water sharing plans which help manage NSW water resources by setting the rules for how and when water can be accessed and used have been extended while replacement plans are developed.
To allow time for replacement plans to be developed, plans that recently expired on 30 June have been extended for up to 2 years.
The Hunter Regulated River Water Sharing Plan (WSP) and the Paterson Regulated River WSP have merged.
The Hunter Regulated River WSP has been repealed, and the Paterson Regulated River WSP has been amended to include the entirety of the Hunter Regulated WSP.
The main effect is administrative only and the mergers do not change individual plan provisions.
There is no change to the current rules of any current plan so there is no impact on existing licence or work approval conditions.
If you are a licence holder in the Hunter Regulated River WSP the replacement date of your WSP will be extended from June 2026 to June 2029 to align with the Paterson Regulated River WSP.
More detailed information can be found in the Hunter and Paterson Regulated summary of changes fact sheet: www.water.dcceew.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-05/wsp-hunter-paterson-summary-of-changes-fact-sheet.pdf
PACIFIC ASSISTANCE
The Pacific region has been a focal point of political news attention in recent weeks but there is another story with an Upper Hunter connection also deserving of attention.
Scone Grammar School used the winter school holiday for its annual mission trip to Vanuatu.
Since 2017, the school has been visiting Vanuatu, giving students the opportunity to work alongside Ni-Vanuatu students, distribute much-needed resources to support education, and engage with and learn about the local culture.
Thirteen students and five staff members participated in this year’s mission to Tomasavot with students taking part in a working bee around the village and a painting project, whilst staff undertook professional development with their local colleagues.
The school at Tomasavot is the result of work by Australian-registered charity Pacific Blueprint which works to bring education and much-needed water infrastructure to remote and impoverished villages.
TAKE A WATER BOTTLE
Spring is almost on the horizon and WaterNSW has a tip for visitors to the Upper Hunter electorate’s major water storages – bring a full water bottle.
It might seem like an unusual request from our water managers, however, just because you are at a dam there may not be drinking water available.
WaterNSW is happy to provide lookouts and panoramic water views, picnic areas the whole family can enjoy and some local wildlife to admire from afar.
But visitors are advised to pack their bag with all the essentials for a day in the great outdoors such as sun protection, insect repellent and importantly a supply of drinking water.
Get to know what is at your local dams including Glenbawn, Glennies Creek and Lostock, before you visit: www.waternsw.com.au/nsw-dams
BARRINGTONS AWAKENING
If you are already starting spring school holiday planning then Aussie Ark Sanctuary in the Barrington Tops has its diary open.
Spring Open Days are back from Saturday 26 September to Sunday 11 October.
The Aussie Ark experience sees gates open 10.30am–1pm with a guided tour at 11am sharp.
During the 1-hour tour through one of Australia’s largest conservation facilities you learn how this high country sanctuary is protecting Australia's wildlife such as Tasmanian Devils and Eastern Quolls.
Hear from the Aussie Ark Rangers about the vital breeding and rewilding initiatives that are bringing Australia’s endangered species back from the brink of extinction.
For more on the Spring school holiday Open Days, check: www.aussieark.org.au/visit-us/open-days
Contact:
Email address: upperhunter@parliament.nsw.gov.au;
New Address: 94 John Street Singleton 2330
Postal Address: PO Box 60 Singleton NSW 2330
Ph: 6543 1065
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