State Matters - 17 March 2025
- Dave Layzell MP
- Mar 17
- 6 min read
PARAMEDIC ACCOMMODATION
DUNGOG has been included in a NSW Government program to increase the availability of accommodation for NSW Ambulance paramedics.
The $10 million for NSW Ambulance personnel is part of $200 million to be spent statewide under the Key Health Worker Accommodation program.
The commitment of new accommodation for Dungog paramedics will be followed by additional NSW Ambulance locations selected on the basis of greatest need.
It is estimated the four-year Key Health Worker program will secure approximately 120 dwellings across regional NSW, which includes building new accommodation, refurbishment of existing living quarters and the purchase of suitable properties such as residential units.
The state government expects the program will support the recruitment and retention of more than 500 health workers and their families by providing a range of accommodation options.
ROADWORK UPDATE
Motorists travelling in the Singleton area can expect to encounter additional roadwork locations over coming weeks.
Essential maintenance on Elderslie Bridge starts from Monday 31 March and is expected to take six weeks to complete, weather permitting.
Work hours are Monday to Thursday, 7am to 4pm, with motorists advised to allow up to five minutes extra travel time due to lane closures and reduced speed limits of 40km/h.
Out of hours work on Singleton Bypass is scheduled on weeknights during April to June between 6pm and 7am.
Work will be along the New England Highway from north of Range Road, Whittingham to north of Rixs Creek Lane at Rixs Creek and from Putty Road to New England Highway, including Carrington Street, Army Camp Road, Victoria Street and Orchard Lane.
If you have any complaints or queries, please contact the Project Line on 1800 991 254.
MOBILE UPGRADE CONTINUES
The Bucketts Way community of Booral is this week’s location for a Telstra Mobile Network upgrade.
From Tuesday 18 March to Thursday 20 March inclusive, these works will require temporary service disruptions.
The vast majority of work will be completed on Thursday when services are switched off between 7am to 5pm.
Telstra will upgrade the existing satellite feed to the Ebsworth Road, Booral site to improve network performance and reliability.
Telstra mobile customers will receive text messages advising them of the work, however, landline and NBN internet services will not be impacted.
Telstra customers can continue to make calls and send texts during the disruption by switching on Wi-Fi calling, whilst calls to Triple Zero from a Telstra mobile when the site is off air automatically divert to any working mobile network for connection to emergency services.
For more information visit the Telstra network outage page: www.telstra.com.au/outages
NIGHT DRIVE RETURNS
If you notice more vehicle than aircraft activity at Scone airport this Friday evening then pull over and watch the Upper Hunter’s local driver education program in action.
Hunter Learner Night Drive returns by popular demand to provide another valuable driving experience for aspiring local motorists.
The learner driver initiative is organised by Hunter Valley Highway Patrol, Hunter Valley Police District and Upper Hunter Shire Council supported by Singleton Council, Muswellbrook Shire Council and Bengalla Mining Company.
Learners register to participate then bring along their Learner’s Licence, L plates and a supervisor aged over 25, who holding an Unrestricted Driver Licence.
The evening is about building confidence and practising essential driving skills in a safe and supportive environment.
It includes breath test practice (both stationary and mobile), reverse parking and manoeuvring exercises, a vehicle rescue demonstration plus a sausage sizzle and drink for each learner and supervisor.
Limited spots are available so check the council Facebook pages for details.
MUSWELLBROOK CUP DAY
Muswellbrook Shire Council is currently undertaking community consultation on moving the Muswellbrook Cup public holiday back to its traditional day on Melbourne Cup Day.
Council proposes to make application to the NSW Government for a local half day public holiday to be observed on Tuesday 4 November 2025 from Noon to 6pm.
Under the administrative arrangements to declare a public holiday, Council must apply for all full or half public holidays and the Minister for Industrial Relations must approve its gazettal before being officially recognised by the State.
As an alternative to a local half day public holiday, the community also has the option of supporting a local event day.
A local event day is again declared by the Minister, although it does not preclude banks and certain retail outlets from trading on the day.
To have input on the proposal complete the online survey by Friday 21 March:
HGP INFORMATION
Santos is hosting information sessions next week to discuss the Hunter Gas Pipeline (HGP) with interested members of the community.
Drop-In sessions commence at Maitland on Tuesday 25 March at East Maitland Bowling Club, 2-6pm.
On Wednesday 26 March, Singleton Diggers in York Street is the venue, 10am-1pm, then Muswellbrook Workers Club, 2-6pm.
Scone Bowling Club hosts a drop-in session on Thursday 27 March, 10am-1pm.
Santos invites interested people to drop in at any time during the advertised sessions to have their say.
For further information, call 1300 427 546, email info@huntergaspipeline.com.au
or visit www.huntergaspipeline.com.au
LLS RATES DUE
Local Land Services (LLS) rates are due on Friday 28 March for landholders owning 10 hectares or more.
Rates contribute up to one fifth of LLS’s budget, and 100 per cent of rates collected are returned to customers through services and support.
The rates help to support on-ground biosecurity, agriculture and animal health management during emergencies.
If you are experiencing hardship and need a helping hand, the Land Services customer service team can talk you through the options.
The safest and easiest way is to use the LLS payment portal to pay your rates online using BPAY, calling 1300 738 070 to pay by credit card or visiting a Local Land Services office in person to pay by credit card or cash.
Further details about the rates can be found at:
CLARENCE TOWN TALKS
Clarence Town Task Team is calling residents together for a Community Opportunity Workshop on Thursday 27 March from 5.30pm at the Bowling Sport and Recreation Club
The group of passionate locals are collaborating with the Rural Aid Community Builders Program to develop a 'Community Action Plan' for the town.
The document collates the community vision and priorities for the place locals love and will be backed by up to $10,000 of seed funding from Rural Aid to commence one of the top identified priority projects.
Clarence Town locals are encouraged to complete a survey to identify what they love about their community, what they want to stay the same as well as what should change, then attend the workshop.
The conversation is open to everyone to have an impact on the future direction of Clarence Town, so register to attend the Community Opportunity Workshop at: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1356211
DISASTER DONATIONS
NSW Fair Trading is warning donors about scammers as communities on the state’s north coast impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred clean-up and move on to recovery efforts.
We are being warned to remain vigilant for potential fundraising scams to ensure donations are not wasted.
Fair Trading’s top tips are only donate to registered charities with a charitable fundraising licence and avoid unsolicited requests made by phone calls, emails or social media messages asking for donations.
You can research before you donate by using official channels like the ACNC Charity Register and Verify NSW.
People looking to make a financial contribution or to donate other goods such as food or clothing are encouraged to go to the GIVIT website: www.givit.org.au
For more information and support on how to donate responsibly, please visit the NSW Government’s website: https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/recovery/donations.
NEW RSV IMMUNISATION
All newborn babies can receive free immunisation from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
from Monday 17 March.
Pregnant women have been eligible for a free RSV vaccination (Abrysvo) since February, which passes protection to their babies for the first five months of life.
Maternal vaccination for RSV is recommended for women between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.
The NSW Government is expanding eligibility for infant immunisation from a more targeted vulnerable cohort.
Nirsevimab will be given to eligible newborns before hospital discharge through the National Immunisation Program.
Further information on how to protect yourself and others from RSV can be found on the NSW Health website: www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/respiratory-syncytial-virus.aspx
COMMENT ON PROJECT
The Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for the Maitland Mental Health Rehabilitation Project are on public exhibition allowing the community to have a say on the development.
The new facility will be co-located on the Maitland Hospital campus and enhance specialist mental health services in the Hunter region to improve support for individuals requiring ongoing mental health care.
It will provide modern inpatient rehabilitation spaces, dedicated therapy areas, enhanced outdoor and recreational facilities, and a design focused on recovery-oriented care to support patients in their transition back to independent living.
The designs have been informed by extensive consultation with staff, consumers, carers and the community, including engagement sessions held last year.
Construction is expected to commence later this year following planning approval and the appointment of a builder.
Feedback can be submitted until Wednesday 9 April with further information on the project website: www.hneinfra.health.nsw.gov.au/projects/maitlandmh
ENTRIES OPEN!
Entries are now open for the Australian Photographic Society’s 2025 Mullins Conceptual Photography Prize.
Finalists are exhibited annually at Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre with the prize-winning work joining the Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection, and a collection of contemporary photographic works acquired through the Muswellbrook Photographic Award (1987–2014).
The Mullins Conceptual Photography Prize is a national $30,000 acquisitive prize that seeks to find Australia’s best conceptual photographic works.
Means of work presentation are unrestricted, inviting photographers to illustrate the intent of their works.
Entries close 13 June with the finalists announced on 27 June – the Exhibition Launch and Announcement of Winners will be held on 23 August.
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