State Matters - 22 September 2025
- Dave Layzell MP
- Sep 24
- 6 min read
TRACKWORK CHANGES
MAINTENANCE WORK being undertaken this week by the Australian Rail Track Corporation is impacting some rail commuters and motorists.
The essential maintenance and improvement work on the Hunter Valley line closes the sections between Kooragang Island to Turrawan and Muswellbrook to Ulan from 6.30am Tuesday 23 September to 6.30am on Friday 26 September.
Coaches will replace NSW TrainLink services, whilst rail commuters travelling between Maitland and Scone are encouraged to visit https://transportnsw.info 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 the Live Traffic NSW website: www.livetraffic.com
REZ ROADWORK AHEAD
Work will start next week at two locations near Singleton as part of the Port to Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) project.
Traffic using the intersections of Jerry Plains Road and Putty Road, and the Golden Highway (Mitchell Line of Road) and Putty Road, Mount Thorley, will experience changed traffic conditions from Monday 29 September, weather permitting.
Upgrades are being undertaken along the state roads network to enable the delivery of oversize over mass (OSOM) equipment needed to build renewable energy zones across NSW.
Motorists are asked to take care, keep to the signposted speed limits and follow the direction of traffic controllers at the roadwork locations.
For more information call: 1800 807 561 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday), email: Port2REZCommunity@BMD.com.au or visit:
HUNTER WATER CHANGES
Hunter Water’s Board of Directors and has appointed Jennifer Hayes as Acting Chief Executive Officer ahead of Darren Cleary’s departure to become the new Chief Executive of Sydney Water.
Mr Cleary, who has been Hunter Water’s chief executive since 2020, will conclude his current role on 24 October.
The board of Sydney Water recommended Mr Cleary’s appointment to the NSW Government after a comprehensive recruitment process due to his proven success in operational excellence and environmental stewardship.
Acting Hunter Water CEO Jennifer Hayes brings a wealth of experience to the role after more than seven years with Hunter Water as its Executive Manager, Finance and Business Performance.
The board of Hunter Water has initiated a recruitment process to find its new Managing Director, who will oversee the corporation’s assets which include Chichester Dam and the connecting pipelines to the Lower Hunter, which are located in the Upper Hunter Electorate.
HEALTH SURVEY
Consultation closes this Sunday, 28 September, for a state government survey into improving health and wellbeing using data and analytics.
NSW Health is developing the strategy to help shape how it uses the data and analytics to support health and wellbeing across NSW.
A range of stakeholders are being consulting to understand priorities and perspectives and help shape the NSW Health strategy.
Community feedback will help researchers understand what matters most and how they can use data in smarter, more meaningful ways.
The results of the five-minute survey will be reviewed with the feedback used to update the draft Data and Analytics Strategy.
You can have input by taking the survey at: www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/Health-DA-Strategy
ARE YOU READY?
As hazard reduction burning picks-up across the state, the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) is asking the community - Do you know about alert levels?
Three warnings occur during a bush fire - Advice, Watch and Act, and the Emergency Warning.
The bush fire danger rating signs measure the rating for the day, to give an indication of the possible consequences of fire.
The ratings have been simplified to No rating, Moderate, High, Extreme and Catastrophic.
For more information on alert levels and how to prepare for the impending bushfire season, visit: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare
For details and a map of upcoming burns where firefighters and land managers are conducting controlled burns to reduce bushfire risk and help protect communities ahead of the fire season, go to: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/hr
COMMUNITY GRANTS
Applications are open until Tuesday 11 November for the 2025 Veteran Community Grants Program.
The NSW Government has $100,000 funding available to support projects that honour the service and sacrifice of our veterans.
Formerly known as Anzac Community Grants, the program now has a greater emphasis on assisting projects that support recognition of the veteran community and events that acknowledge significant military anniversaries.
Projects that commemorate and educate local communities on the service and sacrifices of current and former service personnel could be eligible for grants of up to $3,000.
More information and details on how to apply are available at:
SPRING SCHOOL HOLIDAY
The NSW public school year is rapidly getting away with the spring school holiday to commence this Friday 26 September.
Classes are out but the outdoor spaces, sports fields and playgrounds are open at some Upper Hunter Electorate schools over the next few weeks.
Booral, Broke, Dungog, Ellerston, Scone and Muswellbrook public schools are participating in Share Our Space daily 8am-5pm, from Saturday 27 September to Sunday 12 October.
Gloucester and Stroud public schools are Share Our Space venues on weekends-only, 8am-5pm.
Check the link to find the participating school near you and also confirm days, times and entry points before arriving:
A school development day begins Term 4 on Monday 13 October with classes to resume on Tuesday 14 October and continue until Friday 19 December: https://education.nsw.gov.au/schooling/calendars
SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITY
Muswellbrook’s Donald Horne Building is the location this school holiday for workshops aimed at high school students, ages 12 to 17.
The Melt Industry Edge Program, supported by Muswellbrook Shire Council and BHP, will see participants create, build, and learn real STEM skills in a supportive and fun way.
The application of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) includes building and taking home a customised Bluetooth speaker.
There are two options with week one’s workshop on Monday 29 September to Wednesday 1 October with the second, Wednesday to Friday 8-10 October.
Limited spots are available with registrations for the free workshops to close Thursday 25 September.
Discover more at the Muswellbrook Shire Council Facebook page: www.facebook.com/muswellbrookshirecouncil
RENT CHECK
Renters, landlords and the community can now easily check and compare the median rent range for any postcode in the state.
NSW Fair Trading's Rent Check will help you understand the median rent range, or the middle value when all the rent prices in an area are listed from lowest to highest, for homes in the current rental market.
By using Rent Check, you agree that the results are not an official rent valuation or a rent recommendation from the state government.
In NSW, rent can now only be increased once a year except for certain short, fixed leases signed before 13 December last year.
If your rent rises, find out how it compares with other rentals in your area by using the four-step Rent Check tool at: www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/renting-a-place-to-live/rent-check
SURGE IN AMERICAN VISITORS
If you thought you had recently heard American accents whilst enjoying our Hunter Valley tourism attractions then new data reveals you were probably correct.
The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) Travel Trends Report has highlighted a 19.2 per cent increase in inbound American visitors to Australia in July 2025 compared to July 2024.
The United States was the third-largest international source market for NSW in July with the state welcoming 23,040 visitors, up from 20,710 in July 2024.
The latest data from the US National Travel and Tourism Office shows there were 8.1 million outbound Americans in July, up 5.5 per cent from last year and 24.9 per cent above 2019 levels.
Tourism Australia has launched the next stage of its ‘Come and say G’day’ campaign in the US, featuring Robert Irwin, to align with his debut on the US edition of Dancing with the Stars.
WATER RULES UPDATED
Uncertainty around environmental watering rules has been resolved with the NSW Government providing legal certainty for water holders who had temporarily paused some flows out of an abundance of caution.
The Water Management (General) Amendment (Water Return Flow Rules and Exemptions) 2025 has commenced with the updated regulation addressing confusion about when river operators need a water licence to release water for the environment.
Now, if the water is being released as part of water sharing plans or an operating licence, the regulation confirms that a water licence is not required.
Licence exemptions also apply for environmental watering being directed to priority environmental sites where the water has been released from a regulated river water storage and has already been measured once.
Metering obligations continue to apply to licensed environmental water that is taken through a pump, pipe or regulator in the same way they do to all other water users.
The legislation can be viewed at: https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/pdf/asmade/sl-2025-488
Contact:
New Address: 94 John Street Singleton 2330
Postal Address: PO Box 60 Singleton NSW 2330
Ph: 6543 1065
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