State Matters - 14 April 2025
- Dave Layzell MP
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
EASTER ROAD SAFETY
DOUBLE DEMERITS will apply from Thursday morning 17 April until Monday night 21 April as NSW Police conduct the state’s Easter road safety operation.
Motorists caught speeding, using a mobile phone illegally, riding without a helmet, not wearing or incorrectly wearing a seatbelt or carrying passengers not wearing or incorrectly wearing a seatbelt or restraint face losing double the points, not double the fine.
The Double Demerits Enforcement road safety campaign aims to encourage safe driver behaviour on the roads.
It provides an incentive for drivers and riders to improve their driving behaviour, obey road rules and comply with NSW traffic laws - and that during enforcement periods the penalties for breaking the road rules are more severe.
Holidaymakers going on a trip in NSW can find resources to help plan the journey at:
EASTER SHOPPING
Small business owners are being reminded by the NSW Small Business Commissioner that it’s crucial to understand the operational rules and employee entitlements for the Easter trading period.
In NSW, Good Friday and Easter Sunday are considered ‘restricted trading days’ under the Retail Trading Act 2008 (NSW).
This means that unless the business is exempt from trading restrictions, such as book shops, restaurants and newsagencies, they must close on those days.
However, shops in some Local Government Areas can trade on certain restricted trading days under Section 89B Exemptions for the Retail Trading Act 2008.
Businesses that are able to trade on Good Friday and Easter Sunday include those located in the exempted local government areas of Dungog, Mid-Coast including Gloucester and Singleton.
If you are unsure whether your business is covered by any of these exemptions, you should contact NSW Fair Trading on 13 32 20 or www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/fair-trading/contact
Or, go to the NSW Small Business Commissioner’s website for more information: www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au/news-podcasts/news/anzac-day-and-easter-weekend-trading-rules
EXCITEMENT IN DUNGOG
Dungog shire will continue the tradition of being the Easter entertainment hub with its two annual blockbuster events this weekend.
The Rotary Club of Dungog presents the 23rd Gresford Billy Cart Derby on Saturday 19 April with juniors and seniors king of the road on main street from 9am to 1pm.
Expect traffic delays in East Gresford due to the event, with organisers planning for traffic to pass through every 25 minutes between 7am and 12.45 pm, when the road will reopen as normal.
After enjoying the racing, market stalls, car displays, ponypat lotto and the dummy spitting competition, it’s hit the road for the half hour trip to Dungog Showground for the rodeo.
The Chapman Street entry to the showground will be open from 9am with the Grand Entry at 6pm and a live band playing after the rodeo until midnight.
So, take a comfy chair for a day of rodeo and a night of entertainment with free camping at the showground for Saturday night only.
CONGRATULATIONS, GRACE!
Grace Lawrence from Rosebrook has been recognised for achieving top honours at the recent Tocal College graduation ceremony.
The 2024 graduate named Dux of Certificate III in Horse Care for the Tocal Stock Horse Breeding and Training Program.
Some 180 students graduated from the state’s premier agriculture college which is marking 60 years of training the young agriculture workforce to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s evolving industry.
An impressive 96 percent of fulltime students who began training at Tocal last year successfully completed their qualification.
In addition to the graduating class of 2024, Tocal College delivered skills training to 2,929 participants across 91 locations throughout the state.
Learn more about what Tocal has to offer, visit the college website: www.tocal.nsw.edu.au
EYE FUNDING
Funding to increase access to treatment and support services for people living with macular disease has received a $180,000 boost from the NSW Government.
The Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) will use the one-off grant to minimise the impact of the disease on the 1.9 million Australians living with it and their families.
Macular disease is the leading cause of severe vision loss and blindness in Australia and the grant will support the organisation to reduce the impacts through prevention and early detection, supports for those living with it, and further research into the disease.
The Foundation also advocates for patients in NSW to receive affordable anti–vascular endothelial growth factor eye injections which can slow and, in some cases, prevent vision loss.
Without treatment, people with macular diseases such as neovascular AMD, diabetic macular oedema and retinal vein occlusion will lose their vision.
MDFA provides information and advice through programs including a confidential helpline -1800 111 709 - peer support groups, and services to support people living with the condition, those at risk of the condition and their families.
REGISTER NOW
Registrations have opened for the annual Rural Women’s Gathering which this year is being held at Lismore on Saturday 25 October.
Organised by Lismore Council with support from the Rural Women’s Network and $30,000 from the NSW Government, the theme for this year’s program is “Connect to the Heart”.
The Gathering at the Lismore Quadrangle will showcase a diverse program that includes inspirational talks, entertainment, writing and AI workshops, music, arts, local businesses and catering and community vendors.
Shanna Whann, Founder and CEO of Sober in the Country is the keynote speaker and Madeleine West, partner of Safe on Social and co-creator of the podcast Predatory is the guest speaker.
A full weekend of activities has been planned from Friday 24 October to Sunday 26 October so that attendees can enjoy the whole weekend.
Register for the Rural Women’s Gathering at: www.nsw.gov.au/women-nsw/rural-womens-network/rural-womens-gathering.
YOUTH COUNCIL NOMINATIONS
Applications for the 2026 NSW Youth Advisory Council (YAC) are now open with young people aged 12-24 invited to help advise the NSW Government on issues that matter.
A dozen young people from diverse backgrounds, who are passionate about addressing the issues impacting children and young people in NSW, will make up the YAC.
Meetings are scheduled on weekends, every 4-6 weeks, with YAC members required to commit to attending all scheduled meetings, to the best of their ability.
The Youth Advisory Council provides advice to government and other agencies including SafeWork, Women NSW, Revenue NSW, State Library of NSW, the Premier’s Department and the Cabinet Office, Department of Education, Disability Council NSW and NSW Health.
If you have questions, contact 9248 0970 or email acyp@acyp.nsw.gov.au
Learn more and apply by Sunday 20 April at: www.acyp.nsw.gov.au/nsw-youth-advisory-council-application-faqs
‘FLU VACCINATIONS
State MPs have been in the frontline of preparations for the ‘flu season with the Pharmacy Guild attending the recent sitting week of NSW Parliament to give members a ‘jab’.
Experts warn that the flu season may come earlier and hit harder this year with more than 50,000 cases confirmed by the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System for the first quarter of 2025.
For the year to date to the week ending 5 April, Hunter New England Local Health District has had 1,272 reported Influenza cases with 1,570 COVID-19 infections and 1,501 RSV cases.
April is considered the best time to get the flu vaccine ahead of winter with the community encouraged to act now to be safe and healthy ahead of the flu season.
Discover more about free flu vaccination at: www.health.nsw.gov.au/infectious/influenza/
HELP FOR BUSINESS
Enhancements have been made to the Service NSW Business Bureau’s digital tools to provide efficient, accessible and personalised support.
Since October 2023, more than 195,000 businesses have used the Service NSW Business Bureau’s digital tools, such as the Service NSW Business Profile and Business Bureau app, to access government support, manage transactions, and save and track industry licences.
Enhancements to the Service NSW Business Bureau App include sharing access and
simplifying voucher management and tracking applications in real time.
For more information on the Service NSW Business Bureau’s digital tools, call 13 77 88 or visit the Service NSW website: www.service.nsw.gov.au/business
EDUCATION AWARDS
Nominations for the 2025 Public Education Awards open this week to showcase the exceptional work that occurs every day across NSW public education.
Schools, students, teachers, staff and parents, and volunteers can be nominated until Friday 9 May with the winners announced at the Sydney Town Hall awards ceremony on Monday 4 August.
Award categories include the Secretary’s Award for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, the Minister’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Secretary’s Award for Excellent Service, the Minister’s Award for Excellence in Student Achievement and the Public School Parent and Volunteer of the Year Award.
To learn more about the nomination process go to the Public Education Foundation’s social media page: www.facebook.com/pefoz
AUTUMN SCHOOL HOLIDAY
Term One of the NSW School Year is complete with some Upper Hunter Electorate communities now invited to use their public school playground during the break.
The Share Our Space program returns for the autumn school holidays allowing the community to enjoy quality outdoor facilities like playgrounds and multipurpose courts.
Scone, Ellerston, Broke, Dungog and Booral Public Schools will open daily 8am-5pm
with Stroud and Gloucester Public Schools opening on weekends only, 8am-5pm.
Unlocking the extra green space outside of school hours is especially important at a time when we are encouraging more young people to get off their electronic devices to get active.
For parents and caregivers planning their school holiday calendar, Term 2 begins with school development days on Monday and Tuesday 28-29 April, with classes to resume on Wednesday 30 April and then the term continues until Friday 4 July.
For more details on Share Our Space locations these school holidays visit:
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