State Matters - 21 July 2025

TRACKWORK WEEK

TRAIN TRAVELLERS need to check travel arrangements this week with the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) undertaking its maintenance program.

Work will close the Hunter Valley line between Scone and Turrawan from 6.30am Monday 21 July to 6.30am Friday 25 July.

Additionally, the line between Kooragang Island and Scone, and between Muswellbrook and Ulan is closed from 6.30am on Tuesday 22 July to 6.30am Friday 25 July. 

Coaches replace NSW TrainLink services, and travellers are encouraged to plan their journey by calling 13 22 32 for assistance or visit https://Transportnsw.info

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 with further information at:

www.livetraffic.com

BYPASS CONSTRUCTION

To align with the ARTC possession period, Singleton Bypass work may occur outside standard construction hours from Tuesday to Friday, 22-25 July between 6pm and 7am.

Bridge girders will be installed over the Great Northern Railway near Orchard Lane, approximately two kilometres south of Singleton CBD.

Subject to weather conditions, contractor ACCIONA will install six girders, each 38 metres long and weighing 83 tonnes.

The activity has been assessed as having a moderate noise impact with equipment to be used including lighting towers and generators, a 600-tonne crawler crane, elevated work platforms, handheld tools and equipment.

Traffic will not be disrupted and vehicle access for local residents will be maintained.

MAYORAL THANKS

Dungog Mayor, Cr. Digby Rayward, has sincerely thanked and acknowledged the support and direct assistance provided from Councils which helped Dungog’s recovery efforts from the Declared Natural Disaster and flood event in May.

The Councils which offered direct support include Singleton and Maitland for waste disposal, Muswellbrook Shire Council and Tamworth Regional Council for pothole and patching crews and Lake Macquarie City Council for co-ordination of resourcing and logistical support.

Mayor Rayward also noted the impacts to the Shire’s infrastructure is still being assessed and compiled, however is currently exceeding $7 million from the most severe weather event and flooding.

Whilst Council eventually receives funding to repair damaged infrastructure under the national Disaster Recovery Funding Ordinary Arrangements with the NSW and Australian Governments, this often takes years and immense amounts of time for Council staff to resolve.

TIMETABLE SURVEY

Upper Hunter communities can now provide feedback on a proposed timetable for a new coach service between Newcastle and Dubbo.

The service to operate on Mondays and Fridays will run Dubbo-Newcastle in the morning then Newcastle-Dubbo in the afternoon.

Cassilis, Merriwa, Sandy Hollow, Denman, Greta and Maitland are among the proposed stops on the draft timetable for the Newcastle Express Coach.

I have made representations to the Minister for Regional Transport following the previous private operator’s decision not to continue the service.

I was advised that service did not operate under a contract with Transport for NSW and Transport did not have plans to issue a contract for a direct public transport service between Dubbo and Newcastle.

Transport is currently developing a Medium Term Bus Plan as part of the NSW Government Bus Taskforce’s Second Report recommendations with the Dubbo-Newcastle segment to be considered during the plan's development.

Whether you are a frequent traveller or just thinking about a future trip, your input into the current survey can help shape the journey: www.facebook.com/Langleyscoachesdubbo

WINTER ILLS UPDATE

NSW Health advises that it is not too late to get your influenza vaccine with new figures showing a spike in flu cases over the past month in the Hunter New England Local Health District.

For the week ending 12 July, there 703 reported flu cases in Hunter New England taking the year-to-date total to 4,749.

So far this year, the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) total is 5,408 reported cases with COVID-19 standing at 3,765 cases after increased activity in the previous four weeks.

The top tips from Health are to stay home if you are sick and wear a mask if you need to leave home, consider a rapid antigen test before visiting those more vulnerable and practice good general hygiene, like regular handwashing.

If you are unwell and not sure where to go make a free call to healthdirect day or night on 1800 022 222 and if it is life-threatening, call Triple Zero (000) or attend an Emergency Department.

To book your flu vaccine at your GP or pharmacy go to: www.healthdirect.gov.au/nswfluvaccine

NOMINATE NOW!

Nominations are open to recognise the achievements of talented and inspirational women in local councils across NSW.

The awards celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of women working and serving in local government, along with successful council programs aimed at supporting female participation.

The 2025 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government is the 18th annual staging of the event and will be presented during a ceremony at NSW Parliament House on 23 October.

Nominations are being taken for the Alternative Pathways, Champion of Change, Elected Representative, Employment Diversity, Woman of Distinction and Young Achiever’s awards.

Nominations close 19 August and can be made on the Office of Local Government website: https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/our-minister/ministers-awards-for-women-in-local-government/

e-BIKE WARNING

The NSW Police Force is cracking down on illegal and non-compliant e-bikes amid a rise in unsafe use, injuries and fatalities.

Users are urged to ensure e-bikes are legal and not unlawfully modified turning them into dangerous, unregistered motorbikes.

E-bike riders must follow the same road rules as cyclists to stay safe and avoid serious consequences.

E-bike rules require that the rider must primarily propel the bike with the pedals, an electrically power-assisted cycle must have the electric motor cut-off when the bicycle reaches 25km/h and riders need to keep to the left and give way to pedestrians on shared paths or footpaths.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Driver, has reminded parents of the need for their child to wear an approved helmet, to only ride on a footpath if they are under 16 years of age, and to not use their phone to text, use social media or take videos while riding.

For more information, Transport for NSW: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/bicycle-riders/ebikes and NSW Police: www.police.nsw.gov.au/safety_and_prevention/crime_prevention/e-bikes_and_motorised_wheeled_devices

STATE WINE AWARDS

Entries are being accepted until Friday 29 August for this year’s NSW Wine Awards.

Established in 1996 to build awareness of the quality of wines produced in the state, this marks the 30th year the awards have been run by the NSW Wine Industry Association.

The celebration of excellence is a quest to crown the cream of the crop in every category from crisp Chardonnays to bold Shiraz.

The NSW Wine of the Year will receive the ultimate honour the 'Best Wine in NSW' trophy, presented by Awards patron Her Excellency The Governor of NSW Margaret Beazley AC KC.

Applications are also currently being accepted for stewarding positions from wine stewards wishing to gain experience in the NSW Wine Industry and the Australian show judging system.

Judging is scheduled for 8-10 October with the Awards presentation at the International Convention Centre, Sydney on Friday 31 October: www.nswwine.com.au/pages/nsw-wine-awards

VOLUNTEER NOW!

Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry is calling for volunteers to assist with the 2025 Great Cattle Dog Muster.

The community family fun day is just under two months away at Muswellbrook Showground on Saturday 6 September.

Volunteers provide a helping hand on the day to deliver the free family event celebrating the Upper Hunter being the birthplace of the Australian Cattle Dog.

The chamber is looking for volunteers to be available for the whole day, but this does not mean they will be rostered for duties for the whole day, so they can have a break and also experience the event.

To join the fun by registering at: www.facebook.com/greatcattledogmuster/

LODGE SUBMISSIONS

Submissions are being accepted until 4 August for an Upper House inquiry examining the Game and Feral Animal Legislation Amendment (Conservation Hunting) Bill 2025.

The private members’ bill proposes amendments to the Game and Feral Animal Control Act 2002, including to abolish the Game and Pest Management Advisory Board and replace it with the Conservation Hunting Authority.

The bill also proposes recognising and making provision for a right to hunt and abolishing restricted game hunting licences and replace those licences with conservation hunting licences.

Also, it seeks to amend laws concerning management of Crown lands to establish that Crown land is available for hunting, however the bill provides that hunting is not to be permitted in national parks.

The committee will hold hearings at Parliament House, Sydney on 8 and 11 August and

is due to report by 10 October.

Further information, including the inquiry terms of reference and the bill, can be found on the committee's website: www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/Pages/current-events-in-committees.aspx

TOURISM QUALIFICATION

You can start your career in tourism with TAFE NSW’s visitor-economy-focused course.

The Certificate III in Tourism has been created to help build a future-ready workforce with the visitor economy thriving.

This nationally recognised qualification provides a mixture of theory and practical course work designed to close critical skills gaps and equip staff with job-ready expertise.

This course can be completed as part of a traineeship to gain the skills to work as an information officer, booking agent, customer service agent and more.

There are no entry requirements with TAFE NSW recommending that you have a passion to work in the tourism industry and an idea about the sector of tourism you would like to work in, such as, visitor services, theme parks and attractions or concierge services.

Start your career in tourism by visiting the TAFE website: www.tafensw.edu.au/course-areas/tourism-and-events/courses/certificate-iii-in-tourism--SIT30122-01

VOTE ON VIEW

Where do you get the best view of Dungog – that is the question being posed by Dungog Shire Council and Dungog Regional Tourism.

Council is planning a new scenic viewing platform to boost local tourism and showcase what makes the region special from rolling hills and river valleys to ridgelines with views that tell a story.

So, where do you go to take in the best views - a lookout, a trail, or a lesser-known spot that would make a lasting impression on visitors?

Is there a spot that showcases the best of Dungog’s landscape and heritage?

Share your ideas and help shape a destination that both locals and visitors can enjoy by taking a few minutes before 27 July to complete the survey: www.dungog.nsw.gov.au/Home