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Writer's pictureDave Layzell MP
Sep 23

State Matters - 23 September 2024


TRAINING AWARD 

CONGRATULATIONS to Singleton’s Jacinta Ferris on her success at the 2024 NSW Training Awards announced recently in Sydney.


Jacinta was recognised with a Special Industry honour collecting the Women in Trades Award following her Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician training with TAFE NSW.


The AGL Macquarie apprentice qualified for the state awards after collecting the Apprentice of the Year in May at the Hunter and Central Coast Training Awards.


Jacinta’s success makes it back-to-back titles for the Upper Hunter Electorate after Celina Pellet was named the 2023 Women in Trades winner at the state ceremony.


Celina’s award followed her qualification in Certificate III in Agriculture (Dairy Production) at Tocal College, Paterson.


COVID-19, STILL HERE!

NSW Health is reporting COVID-19 activity is stable at a low level but it does remain on the radar in the Hunter New England Local Health District.

 

For the first time since mid-June, COVID-19 notifications have overtaken Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in Hunter New England according to the NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report for the week ending 14 September.

 

The latest data reports 146 COVID cases for the Local Health District, up from 100 the previous week, with the Hunter New England’s year-to-date total now 8,792.

 

There have been 11,844 reported local ‘flu cases so far this year and 5,949 RSV infections.

 

If you need free health information and advice call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 anytime (24 hours 7 days a week) and to keep tabs on COVID-19 visit: www.nsw.gov.au/health/covid-19

 

BRANXTON ROADWORK

Transport for NSW is advising residents it will aim to reduce noise and minimise light spill when it carries out roadwork at Branxton from Sunday 29 September.


Bridge barrier maintenance work will be undertaken on Bridge Street Branxton, over the Branxton Station rail line.


The work to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the bridge includes vegetation clearing, barrier installation, guard rail maintenance and kerbside maintenance.


Lane closures, a 40km/h speed limit during work hours and Stop/Go traffic arrangements

will be in place between 6pm and 6am from Sunday to Thursday with the work expected to be completed in one week, weather permitting.


For latest traffic updates call 132 701, download the Live Traffic NSW App or visit https://www.livetraffic.com


SPEED REVIEW

Bylong Valley Way between Bylong and Kerrabee Arm has had the speed limit reduced to create a safer environment for all road users.


Transport for NSW initiated a speed zone review on 25 kilometres of Bylong Valley Way following concerns over crashes in the area, particularly involving motorcyclists.


Following the review, the speed limit from Bylong to Murrumbo Valley and the Coxs Gap western ascent is reduced to 80 km/h and at Coxs Gap reduced to 60 km/h.


The new speed limits came into effect last week and signage installed to advise motorists of the changes.


RENEWABLE DEVELOPMENTS

Gloucester Coal has lodged the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Stratford Renewable Energy Hub with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.


The Stratford Hub was declared Critical State Significant Infrastructure earlier this year and

once operational would be capable of Long-Duration Storage in a Pumped Hydro Energy Storage system and includes a solar farm.


Now Gloucester Coal has lodged the EIS the company expects it will soon be placed on public exhibition by NSW Planning for a period of 28 days.



And, Terrain Solar will hold a drop-in session at the Singleton Civic Centre foyer on Tuesday 1 October, 3.30-6.30pm with the project team available to discuss the Maison Dieu Solar Farm EIS which is being exhibited until 9 October.


Email your interest in attending to: info@maisondieusolarfarm.com.au


DEFIBRILLATOR PROGRAM

Sporting clubs and organisations have until November to apply for a share of $500,000 in NSW Government funding for new life-saving defibrillators.


The Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program provides up to $3,000 to purchase automated external defibrillators for sports facilities.

 

Since the program commenced, more than 2,000 defibrillators have been installed at sports facilities across NSW.

 

Applications close on 27 November or when funding is exhausted with information, including expanded eligibility criteria, available at: https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/local-sport-defibrillator-grant-program


YOUNG DRIVER TRIAL

Young drivers are being recruited to participate in research conducted by The University of Melbourne.


The SMART trial aims to reduce road crashes and vehicle emissions among young drivers in New South Wales by trialling a new app that rewards drivers for safer and more sustainable driving.


The trial needs 60​0 young drivers to download the app, complete a 10-​minute questionnaire, drive as they normally would then complete a 10-minute ​post-trial questionnaire.


There is a financial incentive to join the trial with a reward of up to $120 plus the chance to win a $100 voucher every week.


Interested young drivers must be aged 18-23, have a P1 licence ​(first provisional ​licence or red Ps) ​registered in NSW, have access to a ​vehicle driven ​regularly and a smartphone

with location ​services.


For more on the SMART trial: https://smart-trial.net/

 

HEALTH ENGAGEMENT

Upper Hunter Electorate communities are invited to have their say on how to improve engagement on health service planning and delivery.


NSW Health wants to hear about your experiences of consultation with public health services and how you would like to be engaged and communicated with in future.


The Shared Understanding Project aiming to ensure that NSW Health, Local Health Districts and other partners work closely with communities in the planning and delivery of future health services and models of care.


You can share your feedback and ideas by taking a quick survey until 9 October at:


COMMUNITY FUND

Applications are now open for Round Four of the Singleton Community and Economic Development Fund.

 

The fund was established by Singleton Council in partnership with The Bloomfield Group and Glencore in 2019 using proceeds from Voluntary Planning Agreements.

 

It has a proactive approach to increase economic growth and productivity and promote health and wellbeing for the people of the Singleton local government area.

 

Applications are open until 31 October with more information available at: www.singleton.nsw.gov.au/cedf


TRUST RECRUITS

New board members are currently being recruited to lead and drive the NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust (ALT) for the next five years. 

 

The ALT is a NSW Government agency, established in 2017, with the aim of keeping alive and revitalising Aboriginal languages at local, regional and state levels.

 

To continue Aboriginal languages revitalisation activities from 2025 to 2030, the trust wants to appoint a board that reflects the diversity of language groups, geographical representation across NSW, is independent and well connected with community.

 

Board member applications, including the chair and deputy chair, close on 7 October with

 

WEED WARNING

Hunter Local Land Services is concerned about the high likelihood of a significant season for a toxic weed after favourable recent growing conditions.


The period when St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) becomes more visible in the landscape is coming up.


On-mass, it can look like a sea of yellow, flowering from November to January, taking over productive agricultural land.


As a pest plant, landholders have a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk St John's wort poses.


Healthy perennial pastures are the best long-term defence with several biological and chemical controls also available.


For more information including how to manage the plant and affected stock visit WeedWise: https://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au

 

SENIORS GRANTS

The 2025 Connecting Seniors Grant Program is taking applications until 21 October.


Organisations including local councils, multicultural groups and Aboriginal-led organisations are encouraged to apply for the 28 grants worth $30,000 each.


The grants fund locally driven projects, programs and activities which foster inclusion for seniors, from social gatherings to song clubs. 


The program is divided into five categories including Aboriginal Grants, Multicultural Grants, Creation Grants, Enhancement or Expansion Grants and Local Council Grants.


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