State Matters - 26 January 2026
- Dave Layzell MP
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS
UPPER HUNTER Local Woman of the Year for 2025, Lee Watts, has capped-off a momentous 12-months named one the electorate’s four Australia Day Honours recipients.
The former Upper Hunter Shire Council Mayor and councillor adds the post-nominal OAM to her name after being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia, for her service to local government and to the Scone community.
Congratulations also to Gavin Fry of Lorn, awarded an OAM for service to the arts for a career including being Director of the Newcastle Museum, an author and publisher as well as an expressionist artist.
Diamond member and life member of the Scone-based Australian Stock Horse Society, Neville Holz of Willow Tree, receives his OAM for service to horse sports and the community.
Neville’s volunteering included being a member of the Lemington Rural Fire Brigade, 1970s-2000, and a member of Jerry Plains Rural Fire Brigade, 2001-2008.
And, our recipient of the Australian Fire Service Medal in the Australia Day Honours is Singleton’s Graeme O’Brien, decorated for distinguished service which began with the Westbrook Darlington Rural Fire Brigade in 1971 and has now spanned 54 years.
PLAN AHEAD
Train travellers are urged to plan their journey this weekend with work along the Hunter Valley and North Coast rail lines.
Track closures are in place between Islington, Newcastle and Acacia Ridge, Queensland from 3am Saturday 31 January to 1am Monday 2 February.
Buses replace trains between Scone, Dungog and Newcastle Interchange on Saturday and Sunday, buses also replace trains on the Newcastle-Central Coast Line with limited express buses between some Hunter Line stations and Hornsby.
Sydney-Brisbane XPT services will be replaced by road coaches for the entire journey in both directions and road coaches operate between Sydney and Muswellbrook for the Sydney-Armidale/Moree Xplorer services.
Passengers should call 13 22 32 for assistance to plan their journey or check:
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
ROADWORK CLOSURE
Upcoming bridge maintenance work will temporarily close the Kayuga Bridge on Kayuga
Road, Muswellbrook.
Transport for NSW has advised the temporary closure from Monday 2 February until Thursday, will be between 8.30am and 3.30pm.
The work is expected to be completed in four days, weather permitting.
During the closure all traffic in both directions will be redirected along a detour route.
From Muswellbrook, vehicles will follow Sydney Street, Denman Road, Bengalla Road and Bengalla Mine before reconnecting with Wybong Road.
For the latest traffic updates call 132 701 or visit: www.livetraffic.com and download the Live Traffic NSW app.
2026 SCHOOL YEAR
As the summer school holiday draws to a close it is time to shift the community’s focus to the start of the new school year.
Among the tips for parents and students are to prepare uniforms, school bags and lunches, plus make sure that children wear a hat and sunscreen.
Take time to show your children the school route so they are familiar with it and discuss road safety with them.
Finally, create a calm morning routine, establish healthy habits and prioritise friends and social confidence.
A reminder for motorist to be switched on this week, with school development days Tuesday 27 January to Friday 30 January, and 40km/h school zones operate morning and afternoon.
Term 1 commences on Monday 2 February going through until 2 April, which is Easter Thursday.
MINING DEVELOPMENTS
NSW Planning is taking public submissions until Wednesday 4 February on a proposed modification to the State Significant Development Consent for the Bengalla Mine, Muswellbrook.
Modification 8 would adjust the disturbance footprint for the realignment of the Bengalla Link Road to facilitate construction activities at the open cut mine.
Submissions on the Link Road Realignment Adjustment opened on 16 December and must be made online through the NSW Planning Portal: www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/mod-8-link-road-realignment-adjustment
Meantime, MACH Energy Australia has made application to the Minister for Planning to modify the development consent of the Mount Pleasant Operation, Muswellbrook.
Modification 8 includes a six-year extension of permitted run-of-mine coal to 31 December 2032 and proposes an increase in approved run-of-mine coal extraction rate and some minor additions to the existing development application area.
The increase to the approved coal extraction rate is from 10.5 Million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) to 12.5 Mtpa.
MACH Energy is currently preparing a modification report to submit to NSW Planning:
TYRE WARNING
NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is reminding businesses and individuals dealing with waste tyres that they have a responsibility to store and dispose of them legally.
Illegal dumping, stockpiling and improper storage of waste tyres is an ongoing issue across the state, with serious implications for public safety and the environment.
Poorly managed waste tyres pose a significant fire risk, particularly in summer, when high temperatures increase the chance of ignition.
Tyre fires are difficult to extinguish and can burn for extended periods, producing dense, toxic smoke.
To protect the environment, communities and first responders from harm, discover more about the regulatory requirements for proper storage and disposal of waste tyres:
The EPA takes reports about illegal tyre dumping via the Environment Line on 131 555
and at Report illegal dumping – RIDonline: www.epa.nsw.gov.au/Your-environment/Illegal-dumping/report-illegal-dumping
BY THE NUMBERS
NSW Health is reporting that this has been the first summer holiday period in the state with low COVID-19 activity since the pandemic.
Hunter New England Local Health District had 6,342 of NSW’s 83,305 COVID cases during 2025, based on notification data obtained from laboratory tests for infections.
The best measures of COVID-19 in the community now are admissions to hospital and the ongoing program of sewage testing.
Hunter New England also recorded 13,344 cases of Influenza and 7,231 incidences of Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
So far in 2026, to the week ending 17 January, Hunter New England has already posted 116 COVID infections, 233 cases of Influenza and 72 patients diagnosed with RSV.
TAFE ENROLMENTS
Prospective students are being encouraged to hurry and secure the limited places available with TAFE enrolments for Semester 1, 2026 now being taken.
Registrations are mandatory for information sessions which are currently being held at participating campuses and online.
Muswellbrook TAFE’s Hair and Beauty courses will be the talking point on Tuesday 27 January, Study and Career Pathways are in the spotlight at Cessnock TAFE on Tuesday and Wednesday, 27-28 January with Foundation Skills, English Language and Auslan the focus on Thursday 29 January and Tuesday 3 February.
TAFE wants to help students reach their career goals through flexible study options with hundreds of courses led by industry-experienced teachers.
Students can gain practical skills in Cyber Security, Allied Health Assistance, Automotive Electrical, Fashion, Human Resource Management and School Based Education Support.
Build the skills you need to reach your career goals, find a job, or study, check: www.tafensw.edu.au
BARRINGTONS BONUS
An overwhelming response from supporters and the number of people keen to visit the Aussie Ark sanctuary in the Barrington Tops will keep the attraction open for an extra day.
Ticket bookings are being taken for this Sunday, 1 February, for the guided tour through the 400-hectare wildlife sanctuary, which is one of Australia’s largest conservation facilities.
Rangers will help you explore the sanctuary and meet some of the animals including Tasmanian Devils, Eastern Quolls, and more of Australia's most endangered species.
Access to the Ark via Scone and Gloucester is currently clear, however, before travelling you are strongly encouraged to check Live Traffic NSW for up-to-date road closure and roadwork alerts: www.livetraffic.com
Find more information about the open day tours at: www.aussieark.org.au/visit-us/open-days
TICKET TIME
Free tickets are available for Seniors from Tuesday 27 January to the upcoming Seniors Festival concerts in Sydney.
A glittering lineup of performers are set to grace the stage during the four performances at the TikTok Entertainment Centre Darling Harbour (formerly ICC Sydney Theatre) on 11 and 12 March at 11am and 2.45pm.
The line-up includes Dami Im, Nathan Foley, beloved entertainer Jay Laga’aia, rising star Olivia Fox and powerhouse performer Tarryn Stokes.
Concerts will be livestreamed to ensure seniors unable to attend in person can still enjoy the festivities.
Tickets for the Premier’s Gala Concerts are available from 9am on 27 January at:
The NSW Seniors Festival Expo will also return this year with exhibitors offering services and support to seniors, including interactive workshops, food and fitness tips.
POWER INPUT
You can have your say on the NSW Retail Electricity Tariff Reform by Monday 2 February.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is currently consulting on changes to strengthen consumer protections in the evolving energy market.
It wants to make sure that as smart meters are rolled out and tariffs become more cost-reflective, customers have clear information, real choices and protection from bill shock.
The tariff reform consultation paper aims to consider how to prohibit retailers from automatically assigning customers to demand tariffs without their explicit informed consent and consider whether NSW should implement the AEMC’s Accelerating smart meter deployment consumer safeguard.
View the consultation paper at: www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/nsw-retail-electricity-tariff-reform and have your say by either uploading your submission or emailing:
APPLY NOW!
Two funding streams will invest $140,000 into communities through Ausgrid's Grants for Good program.
Electrification Grants of up to $15,000 will support projects that promote a sustainable electric future, from installing induction cooktops in community kitchens to setting up EV charging infrastructure for not-for-profit organisations.
Up to $5,000 is available for Grassroots Grants to support causes and organisations such as charities, volunteer groups, local sports teams and organisations for initiatives that strengthen community connection, promote safety and wellbeing, or improve equity and accessibility.
Organisations in the Ausgrid network area can submit applications by Friday 13 February:
AT YOUR SERVICE
The Service NSW Mobile Service Centre returns to the Upper Hunter Electorate next week with the Upper Hunter Shire first stop.
Murrurundi Visitor Information Centre at 113 Mayne Street hosts Service NSW on Tuesday, 3 February, 9am-3pm.
Upper Hunter Shire Council, Liverpool Street Scone is the venue Wednesday and Thursday, 4-5 February, between 9am and 3pm.
Stroud hosts the Mobile Service Centre at 62 Cowper Street on Friday, 13 February, from 8.30am until 12.30pm.
On Tuesday, 17 February, Service NSW will set up at 48 Grey Street Clarence Town
from 12.30pm to 3.30pm.
Mobile Service Centres offer similar services to the physical sites including Driver licence, photo card applications and renewals, Driver Knowledge Tests, applications for birth, death and marriage certificates and the Savings Finder program of NSW Government rebates and vouchers.
Discover what is available at: www.service.nsw.gov.au/mobile-service-centres
WATER USER FEEDBACK
Upper Hunter electorate water users can have their say this week on the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s Engagement Roundup series.
The monthly webinar provides updates on current consultation and engagement, and overviews of important water policy and programs delivered by the Water Group.
Attendees have the opportunity to ask questions and sessions are recorded and published on the department’s website: www.water.dcceew.nsw.gov.au/have-your-say/roundup
Roundup webinars will recommence on Wednesday 18 February with water users advised to keep an eye out for their registration invitation which will be sent in the next few weeks.
To help shape the 2026 program contribute your feedback by Friday 31 January at: https://nswdpie.tfaforms.net/1669
Contact:
Email address: upperhunter@parliament.nsw.gov.au;
New Address: 94 John Street Singleton 2330
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