State Matters - 19 October 2026
HEALTH WARNING
NSW HEALTH has issued advice on new requirements under the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2026 for retailers and suppliers of nitrous oxide.
From 5 November, new regulations to address nitrous oxide misuse will come into effect with support for retailers and suppliers to understand and meet the new requirements.
Businesses that use nitrous oxide for legitimate food preparation, medical and industrial purposes will still be able to access it.
Suppliers must keep accurate records of nitrous oxide sales for food, beverage or wholesale purposes.
Under the changes, retailers must not sell nitrous oxide to people under-18 with photo identification required to verify age; sell nitrous oxide between 10pm and 5am; offer same-day delivery and online retailers and suppliers must ensure a minimum one-day delay on delivery orders.
Misuse of nitrous oxide, also known as 'nangs' or 'laughing gas', can cause serious health problems, including nerve damage, vitamin B12 deficiency and paralysis.
For more information on the changes, go to: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/nitrous
MOBILE UPGRADE
Upgrade works will commence from Friday, 23 October, on the Telstra mobile base station located at Wappinguy, east of Merriwa.
Mobile services in the area will be temporarily disrupted for a period of nine days while the 4G/5G upgrade works are underway.
During the work, the site will need to be switched off for periods of up to 10 hours to safely complete the upgrade, with Telstra advising there may be occasions where timings or impacts change due to factors outside its control.
Telstra mobile customers will receive an SMS advising of the upcoming work.
NBN, satellite internet services, PSTN landline services, or mobile coverage from other providers will not be impacted.
If the Telstra mobile network is unavailable, compatible mobile phones will automatically attempt to connect to Triple Zero (000) via another available mobile network through emergency "camp on".
Businesses that use EFTPOS terminals that rely on the Telstra Mobile network should contact their bank or EFTPOS provider to check whether the terminal can connect via nbn or Wi‑Fi.
Customers who use some medical and personal safety devices, including fall detection systems, in-room monitors, alarm pendants and health monitoring devices, should contact their service provider or manufacturer to understand any potential impacts and whether alternative connectivity options, such as Wi‑Fi, are available.
Visit telstra.com for more information and tips on how to prepare:
FLYING-FOX WARNING
Hunter New England Local Health District is warning the public to keep its distance from flying-foxes.
In the two weeks from 28 September to 10 October, 43 people were assessed by NSW Health after being bitten or scratched by bats in Hunter New England, the Mid North Coast, Northern NSW, and the Central Coast.
Bats can carry Australian bat lyssavirus, a rare but serious infection that can spread through bites and scratches.
If you are bitten or scratched, wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes and seek urgent medical advice immediately.
Increased bat activity at present is being caused by food shortages, which typically see flying-foxes stay in feed trees during the day instead of returning to their larger colonies.
If you see a bat that is injured, trapped or in distress, contact WIRES on 1300 094 737 or your local wildlife rescue service.
For more information on protecting yourself around wildlife, check: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/.../be-careful-around...
TIME TO COMMENT
NSW Planning, Housing and Infrastructure is now taking public submissions on the Rix's Creek North Continuation Project and the New England REZ Transmission Project.
The State Significant Development Application for Rix's Creek North including the Environmental Impact Statement and accompanying documents is being exhibited until Tuesday,10 November.
The continuation of mining operations would optimise resource recovery, including extension of the Falbrook Pit Mining Area to the north and west and extension of the Camberwell Pit to the west and extend the Rix’s Creek North mine life from 2035 to 2049.
You can view the application, Environmental Impact Statement, and accompanying documents for the New England Renewable Energy Zone (NEREZ) Transmission Project until Thursday, 12 November.
It covers new dual 500 kV lines and associated infrastructure to connect the New England REZ to the electricity network south of Muswellbrook and new 500 kV and 330 kV transmission lines to connect to energy hubs within the New England REZ; and, five energy hubs utilising substations and/or switching stations to connect future energy generation and storage projects within the NEREZ to the new 500kV network infrastructure.
See the documents online at: www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects
SERVICE FOR PATERSON, CLARENCE TOWN
Service NSW continues its Mobile Service Centre visits to the Upper Hunter electorate next week.
On Tuesday, 27 October, Service NSW will be at John Tucker Park, Paterson, 8.30am-11.30am, then 12.30-3.30pm, at Clarence School of Arts in Grey Street.
Mobile Service Centres offer similar services to Service NSW physical sites including
Driver licence, photo card applications and renewals, Working with Children Check applications and applying for birth, death and marriage certificates.
Before you visit prepare your documents, remember to have all your paperwork and supporting documents with you and that Mobile Service Centres are cashless with payment by EFTPOS, credit or debit card.
Further information on Service NSW Mobile Service Centres, is available at: www.service.nsw.gov.au/mobile-service-centres
SEIZURE LAWS
NSW Police Force Traffic and Highway Patrol Command has put e-bikes users on notice that new seizure laws came into effect from 21 August.
Not all e-bikes sold in Australian shops or through online retailers are legal for road use.
E-bikes that operate at higher speeds, have high-powered motors even if restricted by software, or do not require pedalling cannot be used in public places.
Apart from ensuring that your e-bike is legal, e-bike riders must follow the same road rules that apply to regular bicycles.
This includes wearing a helmet, not carrying more passengers than the bike is designed for, and complying with footpath riding rules.
If you are 16 years of age or older and are not supervising a child under 16 years of age who is riding a bicycle, you cannot ride on the footpath.
Remember, if you ride a non-compliant e-bike in a public place it can be seized and destroyed, so check the rules: www.police.nsw.gov.au/safety_and_prevention/crime_prevention/e-bikes_and_motorised_wheeled_devices
ROUNDUP REMINDER
Hunter Unregulated and Alluvial water users are reminded to register for the October Roundup organised by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Proposed water sharing plan amendments and next steps will be explained during the online webinar on Wednesday, 21 October, 11am-12pm.
Amendments are proposed for Water Sharing Plans covering the Inland unregulated, Hunter Unregulated and Alluvial, Greater Metropolitan Region Unregulated and NSW Murray and Lower Darling Regulated Rivers catchments.
The session will explain the proposed changes, provide an update on the progress of each amendment package, and outline the next steps in the process.
To register for the Water Engagement Roundup, go to:
PREMIER’S SCHOLARSHIP
Germany, Belgium and France will be the locations for the 2027 Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship study tour.
Applications are now being called for three teachers to accompany up to 18 students from around NSW on the trip.
The two-week tour to deepen understanding of Australia’s military service and sacrifice during the First and Second World Wars includes participation in commemorations, visits to museums, war memorials and significant historical and cultural sites.
The 2027 tour will take place in the Term 3 school holidays to coincide with the 85th Anniversary of the Greece and Crete campaigns in 1941.
Teachers of Stage 5 History and/or Stage 6 Modern History are encouraged to apply for the role of Accompanying Teachers by 23 November:
Student applications for those in Year 10 or 11 and studying History or Modern History in 2027 are expected to open in February next year, with students able to register their interest at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BFXMB5B
LANDLORDS ON NOTICE
NSW Health is reminding landlords of commercial premises that they now fall within the view of the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2008.
Since 1 July, a new offence exists for a commercial lessor that knowingly permits premises to be used for the sale of illicit tobacco or illicit vaping goods.
This new offence targets landlords who are aware of tenants selling illicit tobacco or vaping goods from their premises and who knowingly permit this illicit activity to continue.
The Act currently allows a lessor to terminate a retail shop lease if a premises is subject to a closure order by giving the tenant at least 28 days notice.
NSW Health inspectors have now issued around 500 short-term closure orders to retail premises for selling illicit tobacco or illicit vaping goods and/or the retail sale of tobacco or non-tobacco smoking products without a licence.
Since the start of this year, NSW Health has seized over 15 million illicit cigarettes, approximately 2.4 tonnes of illicit tobacco, and over 154,000 vapes.
A full list of current tobacco closures can be found on the NSW Health website: www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/closure-register.aspx
Members of the public can lodge complaints about retailers they believe are doing the wrong thing via: www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/let-us-know-reports-complaints.aspx
ADVICE FOR RENTERS
Renters and community workers are encouraged to make use of an initiative examining common tenancy issues.
Tenancy Troubleshooter is a new series of free, practical webinars by the Tenants' Union with rent increases the first issue on the agenda on Tuesday, 27 October, at midday.
Each one-hour session will take a tenancy issue and talk it through, including what the law says, what you can do and where to get more help.
The opening webinar will cover questions worth asking when renters are advised of a rent increase such as, Is the notice valid? Has it been 12 months? Rent can only go up once a year and is the new rent fair for your area? and, Can you negotiate?
The 30-day deadline for challenging an excessive increase at the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT), will also be covered, as well as a demonstration of the Tenants Unions’ Rent Increase Negotiation Kit: www.tenants.org.au/resource/rink
If you can't make it live, register anyway to be sent the recording and resources afterwards, by going to: www.tenants.org.au
EWON ANNUAL REPORT
Complaint numbers to the Energy and Water Ombudsman of NSW (EWON) have remained high for the third year running with the Annual Report for 2025-26 now out.
The sustained high level of complaints, with 27,011 received in the 2026 Financial Year, reflects the increased cost of energy and its impact on households.
EWON saw an increase in affordability complaints up by 11 percent to 2,217 and payment difficulty complaints involving arrears also increased by 14 percent.
The Ombudsman’s community outreach program engaged with over 4,000 community members across 63 local government areas, with the Energy Transition team reached 500 community members across NSW Renewable Energy Zones and participated in two parliamentary enquiries.
To read the EWON Annual Report, check: www.ewon.com.au/page/publications-and-submissions/annual-reports/annual-report-2025-2026
INFORMATION AVAILABLE
The Understanding the EIS webinar on Tuesday, 20 October, from 4pm steps-up community consultation for the New England Renewable Energy Zone (NEREZ) network infrastructure project.
EnergyCo will then explain how it will build the REZ during a second webinar on Thursday, 22 October, at 4pm covering the proposed construction approach, activities and timing.
A series of community information sessions are being held in the Upper Hunter during the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) exhibition period.
Information sessions are at Gundy Soldiers' Memorial Hall, Monday 2 November 3-6pm; Rouchel School of Arts Hall Wednesday 4 November 3-6pm; Scone Motor Inn Conference Centre Thursday 5 November 3-6pm; and, Muswellbrook Library Seminar Room Friday 6 November 11am-2pm.
For the full list of webinars and community roadshow visits, check:
THANKS, GRANDPARENTS!
On Sunday, 25 October, NSW will celebrate Grandparents Day to recognise the contributions grandparents make to families and their communities.
It will also be an opportunity to recognise the diversity of grandparent relationships and the roles of older people in our community.
Ways to mark Grandparents Day could include spending time with an older loved one to have morning tea or bake a cake, send your grandparents a drawing or card or read a book together.
It may also be a good opportunity to share old photos with your grandchildren and tell your stories whilst you play a board game or do a puzzle.
NSW Grandparents Day is an initiative of the Ageing Well in NSW: Seniors Strategy 2021-2031 which encourages intergenerational connection, community participation, and inclusion.
BIRD STOCKTAKE
We are being asked to take 20 minutes this week to count the birds around us for the Aussie Bird Count.
Right now, one in six Australian birds faces the threat of extinction, making it more important than ever to pay attention.
Aussie Bird Count from 19-25 October is a fun, easy way for all of us to take a national snapshot of the birds around us as we connect with nature to help build a picture of how our feathered friends are faring.
You can submit your results using the app or the web form and there’s a built-in “bird finder” tool to help you identify birds you’re unsure about.
Schools, councils, businesses and communities are asked to participate and you can count as many times as you want because every count helps.
Sign-up at BirdLife Australia: https://aussiebirdcount.org.au
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
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