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Writer's pictureDave Layzell MP

State Matters - 16 September 2024


KIDS VOUCHERS UPDATE

NEW ACTIVE AND CREATIVE KIDS vouchers are now available for eligible Upper Hunter electorate recipients.


The $50 voucher is provided twice a year to use towards sport, creative and cultural activities if you receive Family Tax Benefit Part A, Part B or both in the current or previous financial year.


Eligible activities include dance, music, football/soccer, martial arts, craft, gymnastics, visual arts, painting, drawing, drama, tennis, rugby league, singing, basketball, languages, netball, yoga, creative writing, choreography, circus arts and coding.


This is the second voucher for 2024 and you can also apply for Voucher 1 if you haven’t already.


Eligible recipients can combine Voucher 1 and Voucher 2, and use both vouchers together before 31 December for a combined value of $100 with a registered provider.


You can apply for and use Voucher 2 of 2024 by 14 July 2025.


Check your eligibility and discover more about Active and Creative Kids at: www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-for-an-active-and-creative-kids-voucher

 

RENEWABLES UPDATE

Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has placed the Environmental Impact Statement for the Maison Dieu Solar Farm, Singleton on public exhibition until 9 October.


The proposed State Significant Development is for a 60 Megawatt solar farm with energy storage and associated infrastructure.


All submissions must be made online through the NSW Planning Portal and if you need assistance making a submission, visit help and resources or call Service NSW on 1300 305 695.



Community Information Sessions are also being held this week for two other renewable energy projects proposed for the electorate.


Yancoal has sessions on the Stratford Renewable Energy Hub at Stratford Hall on Tuesday 17 September, 10am-6pm, and Gloucester Council Chambers on Wednesday 18 September, 10am-6pm.


The Denman Renewable Energy Hub’s proponents will meet with the community outside Denman Memorial Hall on Friday 20 September, Noon-3pm and Saturday 21 September, 9am-Noon.


GET READY, THIS WEEKEND!

Prepare for the Bush Fire Season during Get Ready Weekend 2024 when events are held across the state this weekend including in the Upper Hunter electorate.


The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) reckons it's the perfect time to speak with local brigades about your bush fire survival plan, fire danger ratings or preparing your home.


As the bush fire season approaches, it is crucial residents and landowners are aware of risks and take steps to protect homes and properties.


Don't miss this opportunity to connect with your local RFS brigade during September 21-22 with Get Ready Weekend events listed at: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media/get-ready


TRANSGRID GRANTS

Transgrid’s Community Partnerships Program has delivered financial assistance for two projects in the Muswellbrook area.


Edinglassie Rural Fire Brigade will use its grant to install security cameras at the fire station.


Whilst Carries Place domestic violence and homelessness service now has funding to support vulnerable Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter children during the school holidays.


Transgrid’s program offers grants of up to $5,000 for not-for-profit organisations that are local to its planning, operations and major project areas.


Organisations seeking Community Partnerships Program funding are encouraged to apply for the next round in October: www.transgrid.com.au/community/community-partnerships-program

 

MOBILE NETWORK CHECK

Telstra is asking customers to check if their Telstra GO has the latest software update and is configured to boost 4G signal ahead of the 3G network closure.


The repeaters are network coverage extension devices that maximise mobile signal in areas of low coverage.


It receives a signal from a nearby Telstra mobile base station before amplifying and distributing the improved mobile signal to the desired area via an antenna.Many Telstra GO Repeaters operate on both 3G and 4G and will not be impacted when 3G closes from 28 October. 


However, in some instances they may have been configured to only operate on 3G and haven’t been updated with the latest software.


Telstra encourages users to check repeater settings using a smartphone with the Cel-Fi WAVE app installed to see if its correctly configured to boost 4G signals and has the latest software update.


A factsheet with instructions to update your repeater with the latest software can be downloaded from: https://qrco.de/bewdvA


PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The NSW Department of Education and TAFE NSW are partnering to deliver an Early Childhood Professional Learning Program.


Fully subsidised professional learning will be open to all Early Childhood Education and Care educators and teachers that work at a service or live in NSW. 


First phase of the program is a series of short online microskills and webinars designed by sector experts available through TAFE NSW’s online learning platform.


The second phase will deliver a leadership development program that aims to increase workforce retention by supporting early childhood education and care professionals to thrive as leaders.


Visit the TAFE NSW website to express interest and obtain more information: www.tafensw.edu.au/ecec-professional-learning-program

 

MOBILE VENDOR REVIEW

The approvals process for mobile vendors to operate across multiple council areas is currently being reviewed by the Office of Local Government (OLG).


Currently, mobile businesses must seek separate approval in each council area where they want to operate, as required under Section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993.


The NSW Government is proposing to reduce red tape and allow mobile businesses to operate across multiple council areas by seeking approval once and having that approval recognised by other councils.


This new framework will be available to food trucks, buskers, outdoor fitness and market stalls - additional mobile businesses may benefit from the reform in the future.


Councils or a mobile business in one of the categories mentioned above are encouraged to provide feedback on the development of this new, streamlined approval framework by completing and submitting a survey.


Have your say on the local approvals (mutual recognition) framework by Thursday 24 October: www.nsw.gov.au/have-your-say/streamlining-mobile-business-approvals or share further comments with OLG via email at: vibrancy@olg.nsw.gov.au

 

OUTSIDE!

The Upper Hunter electorate will spring out of hibernation from Friday as a swag of events draw communities outdoors over the next two weekends.


The Stroud Rodeo and Campdraft celebrates 50 years with campdrafting from 6.30am Friday followed by the junior rodeo from 3pm to launch two days of action.


Dungog Rotary hosts Pedalfest 2024 across the weekend with the traditional Kids and Cobwebs ride for all the family mustering at Dungog Public School on Friday from 3.30pm for a 4pm start.


Merriwa Springtime Show draws the crowds Friday until Sunday with the main show day including all rides and entertainment on Saturday.


Then, there’s the 150th Singleton Show, Friday to Sunday 27-29 September, with the Grand Parade at 2.30pm Saturday, Fireworks at 7.30pm and the Demolition Derby from 9pm.


Plus the King of the Ranges Stockman's Challenge is on at the Rosedale Horse Complex, 27-29 September, as stockmen and women are challenged until Murrurundi finds the 2024 Queen and King of the Ranges.

 

FIRE TRAIL WORKS

If you head into the hills north of Murrurundi expect to see a $1.15 million fire trail project which has been undertaken by NSW Government around the village of Hanging Rock.


Crown Lands has funded the upgrades with support of the Soil Conservation Service and the Rural Fire Service (RFS).


The western side of the village has a series of fire trails located on a Crown reserve, with the Hanging Rock Village Fire Trail, Ryans Fire Trail and Inverary Fire Trail upgraded to latest RFS standards.

 

Work has included grading and shaping of fire trails, creation of vehicle turning and passing bays to allow firefighting vehicles to better manoeuvre, and installation of drainage to direct stormwater away from trails and protect them against erosion.

 

Access gates and directional signage have also been installed on the fire trails and an Asset Protection Zone (APZ) created behind property boundaries on the western side of Hanging Rock.


COMMUNITY SUPPORT GRANTS

Applications are now open for the Singleton and Gloucester/Stroud communities to benefit from the Yancoal Community Support Programs.

 

Organisations that have either Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) or not-for-profit status along with sporting teams of all codes and ages may apply for a grant to undertake projects.

 

Community groups seeking funding are encouraged to read the Stratford Coal and Ashton Coal Guidelines and Application Form to determine their eligibility and to obtain further information.

 

The aim of the Community Support Program is to help a wide range of community needs such as education, environment, health, infrastructure projects, arts, leisure and research. 

 

Applications must be lodged by 27 September with further details at: 

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