LIDDELL DA
PUBLIC comment is being taken on a state significant development application by AGL Macquarie for future land use and enabling works at the Liddell Power Station site.
The Department of Planning and Environment has received an environmental impact statement and accompanying documents which are on exhibition until Wednesday 31 May.
Key components of the project include demolition of the power station and associated infrastructure, construction and use of a borrow pit area, as well as construction and operation of a landfill for the disposal of asbestos contaminated materials and synthetic mineral fibre.
To view the documents and make submissions visit; www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/liddell-future-land-use-and-enabling-works-project
PARLIAMENT COMMENCES
The 58th Parliament of New South Wales is now open with the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council resuming the governance of our state.
It is a privilege to have been invited by the new Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Hon. Greg Piper, to join his Speakers Panel as a Temporary Speaker.
I look forward to continuing to support the Speaker having spent time last year in the chair assisting the former Speaker, the Hon. Jonathon O’Dea.
I will also be providing support to new leader of the NSW Nationals parliamentary party Dugald Saunders in his roles as Shadow Minister for Regional NSW, Agriculture and Natural Resources.
PHARMACY TRIAL
From this week women across NSW can access treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections from community pharmacists.
Around 100 community pharmacies are participating in this first stage of the NSW Government trial.
The Government has committed to covering the $20 patient consultation rebate, even if no medicines are dispensed, meaning the only out-of-pocket costs for women seeking treatment should be for the medication they need.
Starting from July, the trial will also be extended to include the resupply of the oral contraceptive pill.
TELL COUNCIL NOW
Upper Hunter Electorate councils are consulting with their residents on the projects to be funded and carried out in the next and future financial years.
The Draft Delivery Program and Draft Operational Plan are your annual opportunity to help prioritise road and community infrastructure works plus have input on council’s budget, fees and charges.
MidCoast Council’s feedback closes Friday 19 May ahead of Community Conversations in Gloucester and Stroud on Wednesday 21 June; https://haveyoursay.midcoast.nsw.gov.au
Muswellbrook Shire Council accepts submissions until 26 May; www.muswellbrook.nsw.gov.au/councils-operational-plan-on-public-exhibition-until-may-26/
May 29 is the closing date for Upper Hunter Shire Council submissions: https://www.upperhunter.nsw.gov.au/DPOP
Singleton Council’s combined Delivery Program 2022-2024 and Operational Plan 2023-2024 were exhibited during March-April and return to the elected council at its June meeting.
HUNTER WATER PROTECTION
The NSW Government has introduced legislation to Parliament to amend the Constitution Act 1902 to protect Hunter Water from privatisation.
Hunter Water is a statutory state-owned corporation provides drinking water, wastewater, recycled water and some stormwater services to homes and businesses across the Lower Hunter including Dungog, Maitland, Cessnock and small parts of Singleton.
The proposed amendment will require the corporation and its main undertakings to remain in public ownership by ensuring that the entity may not be sold or disposed of.
The new provisions of the Constitution Act will be binding on the current and future governments with an Act of Parliament required to authorise the sale or disposal of Hunter Water.
LOCK IT OR LOSE IT
The Hunter Valley and Port Stephens Hunter Police Districts are reminding motorists to keep their vehicles locked.
Officers warn that thieves are opportunistic and may not be interested in stealing your vehicle, instead are interested in looking for anything in sight inside your vehicle.
The most common items stolen from vehicles are number plates, cash, wallets containing credit cards and licences, electronic devices including mobile phones, tablets and other small items.
Park smarter by taking everything of value from your vehicle, remove any documents which reveal where you live, and don't keep your keys in the vehicle, even if it is garaged.
The NSW Police Force’s biggest tip – lock it or lose it; https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/be-safe/
SAFE BURNING ADVICE
NSW Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW want property owners to remember that
even if you've been using fire on your property for years, safe burning is your responsibility.
Every year, the fire services attend hundreds of fires which start due to the careless use of fire - many have escaped, threatening homes, crops and livelihoods.
Remember, rules and laws on safe burning are there to keep you and your community safe.
Your online notification and checklist for safe burning is available at; www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/farm-fire-safety/safeburning
HEALTH ASSISTANCE
If you live in rural, remote or regional NSW and need to travel for specialist treatment you may be eligible for financial help through the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS).
IPTAAS can help subsidise travel and accommodation costs when a patient needs to travel 100 kilometres one way or 200 kilometres in a week for specialist treatment that is not available locally.
Patients attending high-risk foot clinics, non-commercial clinic trials, highly specialised publicly funded oral health clinics in NSW and ocularists are now also eligible to claim.
Call 1800 478 227 for information or visit; www.iptaas.health.nsw.gov.au
LEAVE IT OUTSIDE
As much as we enjoy fire to keep us warm during the colder months, NSW Health is warning us to never use barbecues, outdoor heaters and charcoal inside the home.
They make carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas you can’t see, taste or smell, which can kill quickly without warning.
Common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headache, nausea and stomach pain, vomiting, dizziness, weakness, fainting, confusion and tiredness.
If you think you may have carbon monoxide poisoning, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 or in an emergency dial Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance.
Discover more at: www.health.nsw.gov.au/COpoisoning
MIDCOAST YOUTH AWARDS
Gloucester and Stroud districts currently have the opportunity to nominate outstanding young person for the MidCoast Youth Awards.
The awards recognise the valuable contributions of young people aged 12-24 across six categories of the arts, community service, leadership, sports, wellbeing and resilience, and entrepreneurship.
All categories except entrepreneurship are split into two age groups, 12-17 years and 18-24 years with the entrepreneurship award open to young people aged 18-24.
Anyone can nominate a young person for the awards by 25 June;