State Matters - 17 November 2025

VULNERABLE WORKERS PROTECTED

THE NSW NATIONALS and Liberals succeeded in removing the Minns Labor Government’s cruel workers compensation changes that would have raised the Whole of Person Impairment (WPI) threshold for longer term compensation for psychological injury to 31 per cent.

A threshold of 31% would effectively cut off any long-term support for almost all people with a severe psychological injury and an inability to return to work in any capacity.

Before the last election, 50 State Labor MPs signed a pledge to support injured workers by providing ongoing medical and financial support for workers unable to return to work.

Last Thursday night, when Labor MPs had the opportunity to own up to this broken promise, they instead remained silent, refusing to “divide” in Parliament to avoid being named and shamed by having their votes recorded.

The Coalition argues it is entirely within the Minns Government’s power to lower premiums for 2026-27 by directing icare to cap premium increases at or near inflation.

NSW businesses need downward pressure on their workers compensation premiums, but this should not come at the cost of cutting the most vulnerable injured workers off support.

GOLDEN DOUBLE

Congratulations to the Upper Hunter Electorate’s two winners at the recent Hunter Region Tourism Awards 2025.

Dungog’s Sculpture on the Farm named the Attractions Winner and Leconfield House Hunter Valley, a guest house at Branxton crowned the Accommodation Winner.

Sculpture on the Farm dedicated its success to the community, a dedicated committee and volunteers, passionate artists, the audiences who attend and Scultpure’s Chair, Philippa Graham OAM.

Leconfield House in Dalwood Road is perched high above the Hunter River near Branxton with sweeping views of the Hunter Valley countryside.

The property drawing attention from its elegant heritage charm to the warm, personalised hospitality that welcomes every guest, Leconfield House has been described as a shining example of what makes staying in the Hunter so special.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Buses and coaches replace trains on the Hunter Line this week with the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) carrying out essential maintenance and improvement works.

The Hunter Valley line between Kooragang Island to Narrabri and Muswellbrook to Ulan is closed from 6.30am Tuesday 18 November to 6.30am Friday 21 November.

Hamilton to Telarah is affected from 8.20pm Tuesday 18 November to 3.30am Wednesday 19 November, and 8.20pm Wednesday 19 November to 3.30am Thursday 20 November. 

From 4am Tuesday to 7.30am Friday, buses replace trains between Scone and Maitland.

Trains between Dungog, Maitland and Newcastle Interchange may run to a changed timetable.

Tuesday and Wednesday, nightly from 7.20pm-4.30am, buses replace all trains between Scone, Dungog and Newcastle Interchange, then Thursday from 10pm-1am, some trains run up to 20 minutes later than the normal timetable.

Coaches replace NSW TrainLink services for the entire journey of the Sydney-Armidale and Sydney-Moree Xplorer services.

Travellers should visit Transportnsw.info  https://transportnsw.info or call 13 22 32 for assistance to plan their journey.

Motorists may experience short delays due to crossing works or adjacent corridor works with information on road closures and alternative routes at livetraffic.com: www.livetraffic.com

PROJECT TO PROCEED

EnergyCo will proceed with plans for an oversize overmass (OSOM) truck pullover bay at Jerrys Plains in the proposed location, north of the BP Service Station.

A range of feedback raised issues including safety, the current condition of the location, use of the pullover bay by non-OSOM vehicles and loss of parking, during community consultation in June of this year.

EnergyCo has acknowledged community comments about road safety regarding the increase in OSOM vehicle movements from the Port of Newcastle to the Central-West Orana renewable energy zone (REZ).

It is investigating how the pullover bay could be used by others when OSOM vehicles are not using it and will continue to work with Transport for NSW to plan how OSOM vehicles will travel safely and efficiently.

Construction of the pullover bay in Jerrys Plains is scheduled to start in 2026.

FERAL PIG ASSISTANCE

Landholders are encouraged to take advantage of free grain and bait on offer as part of a statewide crackdown on feral pigs.

$850,000 funding has been made available is part of the NSW Government’s Feral Pig and Pest Program.

Local Land Services Feral Pig Coordinator Bec Gray is encouraging landholders to team up, plan strategically and use the free bait and grain to support the use of multiple control methods, such as trapping and shooting.

The Feral Pig and Pest Program has been extended until June 2026 offering landholders training, resources, and support to manage pests and meet their General Biosecurity Duty.

For more on the free grain and bait or to join the fight against feral pigs and pests call Local Land Services on 1300 795 299 or visit this webpage: www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/local-land-services/projects/feral-pig-and-pest-program

SINGLETON WEBSITE

A one-stop-shop for information for anyone looking to make a move, invest or visit Singleton has now been launched.

The Singleton Hunter Valley investment attraction website in the culmination of a year-long project to create a digital hub showcasing all the reasons Singleton is a great place to live, work, play and invest.

Delivered under Singleton Council’s Innovation and Investment Attraction Program, funding was provided by the previous NSW Nationals and Liberals Government with $300,000 from Round 9 of the Resources for Regions program.

Businesses can add and update their details to the business directory and post vacancies on the jobs board by contacting Council’s Customer Service team on 6578 7290.

View the new website at: https://singletonhuntervalley.com.au

WILLIAMS RIVER REVEGETATION

Hunter Water has advised revegetation is now underway along the Williams River between Seaham and Clarence Town, to help stabilise eroding riverbanks and protect the stretch of waterway.

Thousands of native seedlings, grown from seeds collected around the Williams River, are being raised and planted by local businesses.

It’s all part of a broader plan to protect the Seaham Weir Pool by combining natural revegetation with engineered log and rock structures to build a stronger, more resilient river system for generations to come.

Learn more about the locally sourced plants helping to improve water quality and create habitat for local wildlife at: https://hunterwater.com.au/seahamweir

TAFE OPEN WEEK

If you are contemplating your education options for next year then TAFE would like your attention this week.

The TAFE NSW Open Week runs across 17-23 November with hundreds of courses on offer there is something to suit everyone.

Information Sessions are being held on-campus and online so you can access detailed course information straight from our experienced teachers and explore for the course that’s right for you.

To discover more about enrolling, student support services, or what studying at TAFE NSW is really like, check: www.tafensw.edu.au/events/open-week

MOBILE PHONE WARNING

The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman is warning users of some older Samsung mobile telephone owners to check if their handset is fully functional.

Some of the phones can’t call Triple Zero when there is no reception because they cannot connect to back-up mobile networks.

If your telephone is affected, your telco needs to notify you and then disconnect your service in 28-35 days, after this time your mobile will be blocked from accessing all Australian mobile networks.

The problem is about the Samsung mobile device, not specific telcos or networks.

To check if your phone needs to be updated or replaced, Optus customers should check:

www.optus.com.au/about/media-centre/media-releases/2025/10/customer-update-triple-zero-and-samsung-devices and Telstra customers: www.telstra.com.au/exchange/older-mobile-devices-calling-triple-zero-

Watch for notifications from your telco or contact them directly, however, if you can’t work it out together, contact the TIO on 1800 062 058 or make an online complaint: www.tioonline.com.au. 

DISASTER GRANT REMINDER

The NSW Rural Assistance Authority is reminding landholders there is only a few weeks remaining to apply for a Special Disaster Relief Grant, Natural Disaster Relief Grant or Rural Landholder Grant.

These programs will close to new applications on Thursday 4 December at 4pm. 

Review the program guidelines at: www.raa.nsw.gov.au/grants/storm-flood with further information or advice available on 1800 678 593 or email: rural.assist@raa.nsw.gov.au

Meantime, the NSW Government will immediately reduce the Drought Ready and Resilient Fund (DRRF) loan interest rate by 1 per cent.

Normally the interest rates for the five-year and 10-year DRRF loans would have been 4.98 per cent and 5.81 per cent respectively.

However, to provide relief the loan rates for five-year DRRF loans will now be reduced to 3.98 per cent and 4.81 per cent for the 10-year loan.

WATER METERING

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water wants landholders who water crops or pasture, or pump licensed water for stock, to find out about metering rules.

The non-urban metering rules are in full effect across NSW, and water users may need to act.

Whether you're new to metering or just need a refresher, experts from the department, WaterNSW, and the Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) will walk you through what you need to do and help answer your questions.

Online information sessions are being held Wednesday 26 November, 9.30-10.30am, on Metering exemptions and works classifications.

Thursday 27 November, 1.30-2.30 pm, with the focus topic on Duly qualified person (DQP) installations for 100 ML plus entitlements.

Then, Thursday 4 December, 5.30-6.30pm, self-installations for 15 ML–under 100 ML entitlements is the focus topic.

To register, go to: www.water.dcceew.nsw.gov.au/our-work/non-urban-metering/review-non-urban-metering-rules#-upcoming-engagement-

SENIORS AWARDS

Nominations are now open for the NSW Seniors Festival Local Senior of the Year Awards.

The Upper Hunter electorate is encouraged to recognise an outstanding older person in their community by Friday 16 January.

Previously known as the NSW Seniors Local Achievement Awards, the awards highlight the diverse ways seniors enrich their communities.

If you know a senior who strives to make our community a better place through volunteering, innovation or simply supporting family and friends, now is the time to nominate them for recognition.

Successful recipients receive their awards during the NSW Seniors Festival, which runs from 2-15 March 2026.

For more information about NSW Seniors Festival and the Local Senior of Year Awards, visit www.seniorsfestival.nsw.gov.au with nomination forms available from the Upper Hunter Electorate Office: upperhunter@parliament.nsw.gov.au

CALLING ASPIRING MPs

The Y NSW’s Youth Parliament leadership program is accepting applications until 4 January for participation in its 25th anniversary year.

Youth Parliament is the most inclusive youth leadership program in Australia empowering students from across NSW to raise their voices, advocate for their communities, and connect with peers who share a passion for making a positive difference.

The program is not just for school captains or debate team members, it’s for any young person who wants to use their voice.

It enables high school students in years 10 to 12 to build confidence, develop leadership skills, engage with civic leadership, policy development, and democratic parliamentary debate.

The Y NSW is looking to accept Youth Parliamentarians from each of the 93 NSW electorates including Upper Hunter.

All information needed for the program, the application process, and the link to apply can be found here: www.ymcansw.org.au/community-services/youth/youth-parliament/

DECEMBER NIGHTDRIVE

Book your tickets now for Hunter Learner Night Drive on Friday 5 December at Scone Airport.

Organised by Upper Hunter Shire Council, Hunter Valley Highway Patrol, Hunter Valley Police District and Transport for NSW, it’s a great opportunity to strengthen Learners’ night-driving skills in a safe and structured environment

The event aims to foster interaction between learner drivers and police and provides a safe environment to learn about driving on country roads.

Learner drivers of any age with a supervisor aged over 25 can participate, but must bring their Learner's Licence and the supervisor’s Unrestricted Civil Road Licence.

To book tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1500094

NightDrive for Learners at Sydney Motorsport Park, Eastern Creek is scheduled for the same week on Tuesday 2 December.

The free safety initiative experience hosted by the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club and supported by the NSW Police Force Traffic and Highway Patrol Command is held 5.30-8.15pm.

For more information: www.sydneymotorsportpark.com.au/collections/learners-and-p-platers/products/nightdrive

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