State Matters - 20 October 2025
- Dave Layzell MP
- Oct 20
- 7 min read
MEETING CANCELLED
A LOW number of speaker registrations has prompted the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) not to go ahead with a public meeting at Cassilis this week.
The IPC had scheduled the hearing at Cassilis Community Centre for Wednesday 22 October as it determines the State Significant Development Application for the proposed Liverpool Range Quarry.
The Commission will contact the eight people who registered to speak to organise individual meetings to allow them to have their say on the project.
In accordance with the Commission’s Transparency Policy, it will publish transcripts of any meetings that occur as part of these alternative arrangements.
The IPC is still seeking written submissions on the Liverpool Range Quarry until 5pm on Wednesday 29 October at: https://www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/cases/liverpool-range-quarry.
NEW BATTERY
A Community Information Session will be held this week on a new battery storage project proposed for McCullys Gap near Muswellbrook.
Ascera Energy is proposing the 350-500MW Gelston Energy Park to be discussed at Hunter Belle Cheese Cafe on Tuesday 21 October, 6.30-8.00pm.
The company says it is committed to engaging openly and respectfully with the Muswellbrook Shire Council and the broader community to ensure the project is developed responsibly and transparently.
For additional information and to access the company’s social media go to:
INFORMATION SESSIONS
EnergyCo has scheduled an additional Upper Hunter information session when it meets with the community to discuss the new transmission corridor study area for the New England Renewable Energy Zone.
The opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback begin next week at Muswellbrook Library on Wednesday 29 October and at Scone Motor Inn on Thursday 30 October, both sessions 3-7pm.
The following week, Gundy Soldiers’ Memorial Hall is the venue on Wednesday 5 November with Timor Community Hall now added to the information sessions on Thursday 6 November, with both meetings 3-7pm.
The new study area between Bayswater Power Station and Walcha covers a broad area around 3 kilometres wide.
The new study area is intentionally wide to find the best possible route for the transmission lines while balancing landowner and community feedback before a final permanent easement is narrowed to 140 metres wide for the dual line infrastructure.
Feedback for the ‘have your say’ period continues until Friday 28 November with more information at: www.energyco.nsw.gov.au/ne and:
TRAVEL ADVICE
Essential maintenance and improvement works will be undertaken by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) between Newcastle and Acacia Ridge, QLD this weekend.
The work includes the Hunter Valley and North Coast rail lines resulting in track closures from 3am Saturday 25 October to 1am Monday 27 October.
Travel Alerts have been issued by Transport for NSW with buses replacing trains between Newcastle Interchange and Gordon and between Scone, Dungog and Newcastle Interchange.
Coaches replace NSW TrainLink services including Sydney-Brisbane and Sydney-Casino XPT services for the entire journey, with the Sydney-Armidale Explorer services replaced by road coaches between Sydney and Muswellbrook.
Travellers are encouraged to visit https://transportnsw.info/alerts or call 13 22 32 for assistance to plan their journey.
Signage and traffic control will be in place at any locations where motorists may experience short delays due to crossing works or adjacent corridor works.
Information on road closures and alternative routes can be found at www.livetraffic.com.
CONGRATULATIONS, KRINKLEWOOD!
Congratulations Krinklewood Estate, Broke on being named as a finalist in two categories of this year’s NSW Tourism Awards.
The Wollombi Road vineyard and hospitality venue qualifying for the Food and Beverage Award, with Dimensions X Farmstay at Krinklewood Estate a finalist in Accommodation and Events Venues.
All of the 230 entries were rigorously assessed by a panel of 56 independent industry experts, with judges noting the increasing calibre of submissions and the commitment to sustainable business practices.
The program is the only pathway for NSW operators to compete at the Australian Tourism Awards.
The winners of the 2025 NSW Tourism Awards will be announced at the NSW Tourism Gala in late-November at Sydney Olympic Park.
PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP
Public consultation is underway until 14 November on regulations to address dangerous battery handling and disposal.
NSW aims to be the first state to move to regulate batteries with the government seeking to ensure that battery brand owners take greater responsibility for the environmental and safety impacts of their products.
The new regulations will apply to small, removable, or rechargeable batteries under 5 kilograms and batteries used in devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters.
Shifting from a voluntary stewardship scheme to a mandatory government-regulated approach would ensure integrity and accountability in managing the life cycle of batteries.
It will also help to reduce the increasing number of battery-related fires in NSW with almost 250 battery-related fire incidents in the state so far this year.
For more information and to have your say, visit: https://yoursay.epa.nsw.gov.au/draft-product-lifecycle-responsibility-regulation
FOR THE BIRDS
The invitation is out for the Upper Hunter electorate to join Australia’s biggest citizen-science event this week.
Aussie Bird Count starts Monday 20 October and continues through until Sunday 26 October.
The Count is a fun, easy way for all of us to contribute to the national snapshot of the birds we see and start noticing the nature around us.
Just 20 minutes is required for you to help build a picture of how our feathered friends are faring and contribute to something that really counts.
There’s a built-in ‘bird finder’ tool as part of the program to help you identify birds you are unsure of – especially after 136 different species, including some vulnerable and endangered species, were spotted during last year's count.
Discover how to be part of the Count at: https://aussiebirdcount.org.au
WELCOME BACK, SERVICE!
Stroud is first stop this Friday, 24 October, when Service NSW returns to the Upper Hunter bringing NSW Government services to the community.
The Mobile Service Centre will be at 62 Cowper Street Stroud, 8.30am-12.30pm.
Clarence Town hosts Service NSW on Monday, 27 October, 12.30-3.30pm at 48 Grey Street.
Service then heads-up the New England Highway to Mayne Street Murrurundi on Tuesday, 4 November, 9am to 3pm.
Scone has Service NSW at Upper Hunter Shire Council, Wednesday and Thursday, 5-6 November, 9am to 4pm both days.
The Mobile Centres offer similar services to Service NSW’s physical sites but are cashless
and only accept payment by EFTPOS, credit or debit card.
For further information check: www.service.nsw.gov.au/mobile-service-centres
WHERE IS THE DEFIBRILLATOR?
A new map on the NSW Ambulance website and the GoodSAM app pinpoints the location of over 5,000 registered Automated External Defibrillators or AEDs across the state.
This map is designed for awareness purposes only and NSW Ambulance advises that it should not be relied upon to locate a Defibrillator during an emergency.
If someone is unconscious and not breathing normally, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
The GoodSAM program, a partnership between NSW Ambulance and the GoodSAM responder app, works by alerting registered volunteers when someone nearby suffers a cardiac arrest and a Triple Zero (000) call has been received.
You don’t need formal CPR or first aid training to register as a GoodSAM responder, just be 18 or older and willing to provide chest compressions, which are easy and safe to perform.
To register as a GoodSAM volunteer, please visit: www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au/get-involved/goodsam
To view the Defibrillators Location map, click on: www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au/get-involved/goodsam/locate-an-aed
TRIPLE ZERO ADVICE
The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) has provided advice to the community on what to do when Triple Zero is not working.
First, make sure you are safe - if you can’t get through to Triple-0 in an emergency, get help from neighbours or local emergency services straight away.
Once you are safe, the next step is to let your ‘phone provider know.
If you raise a complaint about Triple Zero and you are not happy with the telco’s response, contact the Ombudsman, who will work with the provider to get things sorted quickly.
If your provider doesn’t fix the problem and you still need help, call the TIO back, and it will consider what a fair and reasonable outcome looks like on a case-by-case basis and work with you and the provider on a resolution.
You can call the Ombudsman on 1800 062 058 or make a complaint online:
TIME TO TAP-ON
If you have an unregistered Opal card, it might be time for a trip on public transport to use up some of your existing balance.
The Minns Labor Government is proposing to recover unused balances on dormant, unregistered Opal cards that have not been used for at least five years and invest the proceeds in active transport initiatives.
There is an estimated 17 million Opal Cards with remaining balances that will not have been used for five years by 2026-27 with an estimated total balance of about $70 million.
A 12-month communications campaign is being promised to precede the recovery of unused balances and anyone with a card that has not been used in five years can recover their funds during that time.
The one-off revenue source will reportedly be invested by the NSW Government into active transport-related initiatives such as more Opal bike lockers and establishing a better system for shared e-bikes, including taking them off footpaths.
BIOSECURITY WORKSHOP
Hunter Local Land Services (LLS) is calling poultry owners to a free one-day workshop at Stroud next week.
Biosecurity practices to protect your flock will be the focus of the gathering at Stroud Showground on Tuesday 28 October from 9am.
Egg farmers including small, medium and large operators, Broiler integration, Turkey and duck operations and smaller holders such as pasture/caravan egg producers and hobby farmers are encouraged to participate.
Register your attendance for the free one-day workshop on best practice guidance for biosecurity management and planning at: https://mintrac.com.au/events and click on the FlockSafe Poultry Biosecurity Management Planning Training event.
THROUGHBRED ACT REVIEW
Former NSW Government Minister, the Hon Brad Hazzard, has been appointed by the NSW Government to lead an independent review of the Thoroughbred Racing Act 1996 (TR Act).
The TR Act provides for the establishment, management and functions of Racing NSW as the representative body to control thoroughbred horse racing in the state.
The review’s purpose is to assess whether the terms of the Act remain appropriate to ensure the integrity and proper regulation of thoroughbred racing in NSW and to support the industry’s development and sustainability.
You are being given the opportunity to comment on any issue within the review’s scope, as set out in the Terms of Reference, such as governance structures and processes and stakeholder consultation measures established under the Act.
Feedback can be provided by completing a survey or making a written submission by Monday 24 November at: www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/tra-review
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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