State Matters - 13 July 2026
- Dave Layzell MP
- Jul 9
- 6 min read
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
SCONE Grammar School’s, Lachlan Cameron, has been named among the 18 students awarded the Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship (PAMS).
The scholars will travel to Greece on an immersive military history tour during the Term 3 school holiday from 26 September to 8 October.
They will deepen their understanding of Australia’s role in the Second World War on the 85th anniversary of the Greek and Crete campaigns of 1941.
The tour will include participation in commemorations, visits to museums, war memorials and significant historical and cultural sites.
Cameron has described being named a 2026 PAMS scholar as an “amazing opportunity .. (and) a great honour for me, my family, my school and local community.”
EVENTS GRANTS
Tocal and Dungog will benefit from Destination NSW’s Regional Events Fund after the successful recipients were announced for 2026-27.
Tocal Field Days is a Flagship Event, which provides emerging events running for over two years with grants of $20,000 and events that have already received the maximum of three annual grants are eligible for grants of $30,000 over three years.
The Three Rivers Treasure Trail to include Maitland, Morpeth, Raymond Terrace and Dungog had secured Incubator Event funding of up to $20,000 in seed funding, to support activities that are likely to establish an event as a driver of visitation.
The Regional Event Fund program aims to grow regional visitation by assisting events that contribute to the unique character of regional NSW to market themselves to visitors from outside of their Local Government Area.
IPC UPDATES
The Independent Planning Commission (IPC) has extended the deadline for written submissions on the State significant development application for the HVO North and South Open Cut Coal Continuation Projects.
The extended deadline for written submissions is now Sunday, 2 August, and can be lodged by going to the IPC’s online submission form: www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/form/hvo-north-and-south-open-cut-coal-continuation
Meantime, the IPC has advised that the Land and Environment Court has cancelled the site inspection for the Redbank Power Station appeal.
The hearing of the Redbank matter will instead commence this Friday, 17 July, at the Land and Environment Court, Sydney.
People who expressed an interest in speaking on-site will be able to give their evidence either in Court, over an audio-visual link or by telephone.
The Commission’s legal team will contact those people to advise them of the relevant arrangements: www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/cases/restart-redbank-power-station
REZ CONSULTATION
Two webinars will be held on Tuesday, 14 July, to provide an overview of the New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) Draft Access Scheme Declaration.
An industry webinar is scheduled 1-2pm, and the community webinar, 5.30-6.30pm, with participants asked to register at: https://caportal.com.au/energyco/new-england-rez/keep-in-touch
The Draft Access Scheme Declaration and accompanying Positions Paper set out the rules for how solar, wind and large-scale battery storage projects would connect to network infrastructure within the REZ.
Feedback will inform the Access Scheme’s final design with comment on the Draft Declaration closing Thursday, 6 August: www.energyco.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-07/new-england-rez-access-scheme-fact-sheet-july-2026.pdf
You can make a submission via email to newengland.access@energyco.nsw.gov.au with ‘Your Name – New England REZ Draft Declaration’ in the subject line.
NEW MAIN ROAD
Muswellbrook has a new main road following a recent declaration made by the NSW Government.
Main Road No. 709 covers from the intersection of Denman Road (MR209) and Bengalla Road, via Bengalla Road continuing west along Wybong Road to the intersection with the Golden Highway (HW27) at Sandy Hollow.
The declaration is associated with changes resulting from the movement of oversize overmass (OSOM) vehicles along the State Road network as part of the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone.
Further information can be found in the NSW Government Gazette:
SPECIAL EVENT!
An extended trading period has been granted for September’s D’Vine Festival happening across the ‘Around Hermitage Wine and Food Trail' centering on Hermitage Road Pokolbin.
The Minister for Gaming and Racing has made the declaration for special event extended trading to cover licensed premises in the Singleton and Cessnock Local Government Areas.
D’Vine Food and Wine Festival has been recognised as a Special Event with the extended trading period for Saturday, 12 September, and Sunday, 13 September, 12am-2am both days.
Licenced premises to which the extended trading period applies includes on-premises licences that relate to a restaurant, producer/wholesaler licences with a drink on premises authorisation or a special drink on premises authorisation, and listed live music and performance venues.
Details on the three-day D’Vine Festival can be found at: https://d-vine.com.au
SENIORS GRANTS
The build-up to the 2027 NSW Seniors Festival is gathering momentum with the grants program now open.
Community organisations, councils and eligible not-for-profit organisations can apply for grants to deliver events during the festival being held, 1-14 March.
Community events and activities during the two-week festival will enable older community members to stay active, connected and engaged in their communities.
Applications can be made for Category 1 grants of $2,000–$5,000 for smaller initiatives, with Category 2 grants providing $5,001–$10,000 for major regional or community events.
Applications for the NSW Seniors Festival Grant Program 2027 close on Wednesday, 12 August, with all applications submitted through the SmartyGrants portal: www.smartygrants.com.au
For more information, including the grant guidelines and eligibility requirements, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/nsw-seniors-festival-grant-program-2027
HOME UPGRADES
State Government assistance to help upgrade homes and reduce energy bills is currently available.
The new Home Energy Saver program can help eligible households lower the upfront cost of technologies such as insulation and home batteries, making energy saving upgrades possible.
Applications can be made for a zero-interest loan of up to $15,000, repayable over 10 years, for upgrades to rooftop solar and home batteries, ceiling insulation, heat pump water heaters, reverse-cycle air conditioners, EV chargers and more.
Discounts of up to $4,000 will also be available soon for eligible concession card holders and households with a combined income of up to $80,000.
To check eligibility, go to: www.energy.nsw.gov.au/households/grants-rebates/home-energy-saver
WINTER FIRE SAFETY
Fire and Rescue NSW and the NSW Rural Fire Service are reminding the community to stay warm and safe at home this winter.
The risk of fires, burns and electric shocks can increase when you plug in, heat up or light up to warm your home.
It is important to check you are safely using a heater, electric blanket, hot water bottle or fireplace.
A fire can take hold in three minutes, yet it only takes seconds to prevent one, so be prepared by always ensuring that you have a working smoke alarm.
Learn how to reduce risks in your home and stay safe including when cooking, by checking: www.fire.nsw.gov.au/fire-safety/home-fire-safety
LOCAL SLEEP OUT
Upper Hunter Winter Sleep Out will be held as part of Homelessness Week in early August.
Hosted by Upper Hunter Homeless Support and Singleton Neighbourhood Centre, the event will be held on Thursday, 6 August, from 5pm at Singleton Showground.
The Winter Sleep Out brings people together with a shared purpose to raise awareness, vital funds and practical support for individuals and families experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness across the region.
While one night outside cannot replicate the reality of homelessness, the experience is expected to help spark important conversations, build empathy and turn awareness into real action.
Entry is $25 per person, with dinner and breakfast provided, and you can donate by registering to participate or by sponsoring one of the participants.
To register or donate: https://www.mycause.com.au/events/upperhunterwintersleepout
FISHING WEEKEND!
Gone Fishing Day in October will be bigger and better this year with the event now a weekend-long activity.
Celebrations across 17-18 October are a collaborative effort between NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation.
The NSW Government is encouraging the state’s fishing clubs and fishing organisations to get involved by applying for specially designed fishing packages to help host their own local Gone Fishing Weekend events.
Applications are open now for the fishing packages which include rod and reel kits, giveaways and other resources to help clubs create welcoming, family-friendly events that encourage more people to get involved in recreational fishing.
For more information and to apply before 11 August visit the DPIRD website: www.dpird.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/resources/go-fishing-nsw
FINALISTS IN FOCUS
The finalists for this year’s Mullins Conceptual Photography Prize are now online ahead of the winner being announced.
Art Curator, Lisa Sharkey, and Photographer, Sally McInerney, selected the finalists in contention for the $30,000 acquisitive prize, with the winning work entering the Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection.
The selected works are described as investigating personal, social and cultural questions through conceptually driven approaches, highlighting the vitality of contemporary photographic art.
The 2026 finalist exhibition will be presented at Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre from 13 August-10 October, with the official launch and winner announcement on Saturday 15 August.
The Mullins Conceptual Photography Prize is made possible by the Australian Photographic Society in partnership with the Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre.
To view the finalists and explore the online gallery, see: www.artgalleria.com/view-room/42357
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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