State Matters - 25 August 2025

DISASTER ASSISTANCE UPDATE

SUPPORT is now available for three local government areas in the Upper Hunter Electorate following the recent severe weather from the end of July onwards.

Disaster assistance has been extended to residents, businesses and primary producers in the Dungog, Singleton and Upper Hunter council areas.

Support includes grants for low income, uninsured residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living and to undertake essential structural repairs to homes damaged by the disaster event.

Concessional loans up to $130,000 and transport subsidies up to $15,000 are available for primary producers and small businesses.

The NSW Government does advise that conditions apply in relation to the support measures.

Landholders impacted by the recent storms can access a wide range of support, services and expert advice from Local Land Services to help them recover with more information available at: www.lls.nsw.gov.au/floods/flood-recovery-resources

RENEWABLES REPORT RELEASED

The NSW Nationals have reignited calls for a pause and stocktake on renewables projects across the state, after the inquiry examining the regional impact of renewable energy zones (REZ) released its first report.

The Legislative Council’s Portfolio Committee No. 4 - Regional NSW has tabled the report entitled Impact of Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) on rural and regional communities and industries in New South Wales – First report.

NSW Nationals are pleased to see the inquiry essentially supports what we have been saying about the cumulative impact for the past 12-months, and that a proper stocktake be carried out before the state can find a way forward.

That should include a national rating system to ensure only projects that are fit for purpose reach the assessment stage.

To view the report: www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/reports/pages/reports.aspx

TRANSPORT NOTES

Motorists are asked to take care, keep to signposted speed limits and follow the direction of traffic controllers with roadwork on the Golden Highway and the New England Highway.

EnergyCo is starting construction from Wednesday 27 August to upgrade the Jerrys Plains Road (Golden Highway) and Denman Road intersection, at Denman.

The work, part of the Port to Renewable Energy Zones project, will happen during standard daytime work hours 7am- 6pm, Monday-Friday, and 8am-1pm on Saturdays.  

Essential road maintenance is also scheduled for the New England Highway, Singleton to improve the road surface for all road users.

The work will be between Mitchell Line of Road and New Freugh Lane, Whittingham from Sunday 31 August, 6pm-6am, Sunday-Thursday with expected completion in six shifts, weather permitting.

And, after recent flooding road repairs will be undertaken on Bellvue Road, near the Paterson River at Woodville from Monday 1 September for up-to-two weeks, weather permitting.

For the latest traffic updates call 132 701, www.livetraffic.com or download the app Live Traffic NSW.

APPLY NOW!

Community groups across the Upper Hunter Electorate are being encouraged to make application for the Yancoal Australia 2026 Community Support Program.

Financial assistance is available for local groups working in the areas of health, community, environment, arts, culture, education and training with applications to close on 26 September.

Upper Hunter community groups apply at: www.yancoal.com.au/our-sites/ashton

Hunter Valley community groups can visit:

www.yancoal.com.au/our-sites/mount-thorley-warkworth/

And, community groups in Gloucester, Stroud and district with projects or ideas that make a positive difference to the local community: https://www.yancoal.com.au/our-sites/stratford/

BROADBAND INFORMATION

Information stalls on the National Broadband Network (nbn) are being held in the Upper Hunter Electorate from this week.

The Pop Up events are to help residents and businesses understand and take advantage of completed nbn upgrades.

Singleton Square hosts a pop-up on Tuesday 26 August, 9am-5pm, and then at Singleton Diggers on Tuesday 23 September, 10.30am-1pm for the Singleton Seniors Forum.

The Connectivity team from nbn Local visits Stroud on Tuesday and Wednesday, 2-3 September, 9am-5pm.

Local Community Information Sessions are scheduled for Bulga Service Station on Tuesday 2 September, 10.30am-1pm, then at Broke Village Store, 2-4.30pm.

Pokolbin Village is the location for the nbn team on Wednesday 3 September, 8.30-11am.

To check your broadband eligibility, visit: www.nbn.com.au/CheckRegional and for more about the locations of the nbn team Pop Up events and Upgrade Information Stalls go to: www.nbnco.com.au/corporate-information/media-centre/events

BULGA ‘BEACH’ RESEARCH

Transport for NSW is inviting community and stakeholders to comment on three proposed options to rehabilitate the beach areas of Wollombi Brook at Bulga Bridge.

The discussion on the future of the beach after the removal of a rock platform, which was used to access the structure, comes after a $5 million upgrade on the Putty Road crossing.

Transport’s options include leaving the site in its current condition with no further intervention, rehabilitation with partial rock removal and remediation with full rock removal.

Feedback closes Wednesday 3 September to allow Transport to finalise and proceed with the preferred option, which is dependent on finalising work plans and gaining environmental approval.

Comments can be emailed to: Santosh.dhakal@transport.nsw.gov.au, or sent by

mail: Att: Santosh Dhakal Transport for NSW, Locked Bag 2030, Newcastle NSW 2300.

BRIDGE LATEST

Dungog Shire Councillors received an update on the new Clarence Town Bridge during last week’s council meeting.

Construction commenced in April, with all project works currently being delivered within the approved $20 million budget, which includes $11 million from the NSW Government.

Significant progress has been made with site establishment, piling and abutment works, tree and topsoil removal, and earthworks.

Design refinements have also been achieved within the project budget, including widening the bridge to improve heavy vehicle movements, enhanced stormwater capacity, upgraded lighting, and an asphalt wearing surface for improved ride quality and durability.

Challenges have also emerged, such as hard rock excavation and unsuitable subgrade, but are being managed within the existing budget and contingency allowances.

Councillors were also told additional maintenance in support of the project on the Brig O’Johnston Bridge has enabled conditional approval for its use in haulage activities, ensuring works can continue efficiently.

INNOVATION FESTIVAL

Muswellbrook has hosted the official kick-off to the Hunter Innovation Festival Roadshow and the event is heading back for more activities in the Hunter Valley.

Maitland’s Manufacturing Edge will be the focus for the Regional Roadshow this Friday, 29 August, Noon-2pm at The Bradford Hotel, Rutherford.

Club Singleton is the location for the Regional Roadshow’s ‘Innovate, Diversify and Thrive with Grant Support’ on Friday 5 September, Noon-2pm.

Then, key decision-makers will gather in Hunter Valley Wine Country for the Hunter Innovation Investment Luncheon, on Tuesday 9 September at Noon with the focus on collectively driving the Hunter Valley's future as a leader in tourism and agritech innovation.

The Hunter Innovation Festival Roadshow is regarded as a perfect opportunity for networking, sharing brilliant ideas and celebrating the forward-thinking collaborations that are shaping the future of our region.

For more on the Hunter Innovation Festival Roadshow and the main event, the Hunter Innovation Festival, on Thursday, 25 September at Newcastle City Hall, go to: www.hunterif.com.au/festival

VOLUNTEER MUSEUM GRANTS

Applications are now being accepting by Museum & Galleries of NSW (M&G NSW) for two grants from the Volunteer Museum Grant Program.

Round 2 grants include small grants up to $2,000 for short-term, collection-based projects, and project development grants of $2,500-$7,500 to allow community museums and Aboriginal cultural spaces to carry out strategic and innovative projects with mid to long term outcomes.

First-time applicants or those with limited grant-writing experience are encouraged to reach out to M&G NSW for ongoing assistance.

Applications close 7 September with more information about the Volunteer Museum Grants program available at: https://mgnsw.org.au/sector/funding/

REZ OFFSETS

Landowners in the New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) project area, which includes the Upper Hunter and Muswellbrook council areas, are being asked to consider their role in delivering biodiversity offsets.

The NSW Government has introduced a new way for major projects to meet biodiversity offset obligations through entering into a ‘strategic offset delivery agreement’ with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (DCCEEW).

What this mean for landowners is that project offsets are now intended to be delivered under a strategic delivery offset agreement, with delivery managed by DCCEEW’s Planning, Offsets and Threatened Species and Ecosystems team.

If you are a landowner in the REZ project area and would like to be considered for future offset opportunities, email: supplyfund@environment.nsw.gov.au.

To find latest updates, fact sheets and more, visit: energyco.nsw.gov.au/ne 

HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS

Upper Hunter electorate constituents living north of the Hunter River at Maitland are being asked to nominate inductees for the city’s Hall of Fame.

This is the opportunity to recognise locals whose lifetime of achievement has made a lasting impact on Maitland - and in some cases, far beyond.

From sport, community and military service to the arts, business, science, education and more, inductees reflect the values, talent and legacy of Maitland.

The City of Maitland Hall of Fame inductees have their name engraved on the floor of the Maitland Park Rotunda.

If you know someone whose contributions deserve to be celebrated for generations to come, put their name forward by Sunday 28 September at: www.maitland.nsw.gov.au/services/community-services/hall-of-fame

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