State Matters - 26 May 2025
- Dave Layzell MP
- May 26
- 6 min read
FLOOD SUPPORT
NEW SOUTH WALES and Australian Government support is available following last week’s floods across the Upper Hunter Electorate.
From Monday 26 May at 2pm, the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) is being provided to people who live or work in the Mid-Coast and Dungog Local Government Areas (LGAs).
People who have lost income as a direct result of the latest flood may be eligible for DRA,
which offers up to 13 weeks of income support for workers and sole traders, depending on their personal circumstances.
Check your eligibility for DRA at: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/new-south-wales-natural-disaster-support
Disaster assistance has been activated under the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) for the MidCoast, Dungog, Singleton, Upper Hunter, Maitland and Cessnock LGAs.
Assistance measures that may be provided include grants for low-income, uninsured residents; concessional interest rate loans for small businesses and primary producers as well as livestock and fodder transport freight subsidies for primary producers.
For more information on disaster assistance can be found at:
A Recovery Centre will operate at Maitland Town Hall, 263 High Street, on Wednesday 28 May 10am-6pm, Thursday 29 May 10am-6pm and Friday 30 May 10am-4pm, with the NSW Reconstruction Authority and partner agencies to provide practical recovery advice and support.
FLOOD ASSISTANCE
The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development with Local Land Services teams are working together as the Agricultural and Animal Services Functional Area (AASFA), managing the agricultural and animal welfare hotline and its response activities.
The AASFA operation is providing farmers with emergency fodder in cases of immediate animal welfare concern, aerial support for isolated or stranded livestock and fodder drops to farmers in the flood affected areas.
Impacted farmers can call the AASFA hotline: 1800 814 647 (8am-6pm/7-days-a week).
A coordinated plan to manage waste is being rolled out with residents in Natural Disaster Declared council areas to leave waste at their kerb.
Additionally, the NSW Government has waived the waste levy for the Mid Coast, Dungog, Singleton, Muswellbrook, Upper Hunter, Cessnock and Maitland council areas.
Residents hit hardest by the storm can dispose of flood-affected items at landfill sites without having to pay the waste levy fee for the next three months - it does not cover waste generated by property repair or pre-existing materials.
Landfill operators may still charge their own landfill operation charge, also known as the gate fee or tip fee, to manage waste with residents advised to contact their local council before visiting the tip to ensure it is still able to accept waste.
FLOOD DONATIONS
People should not collect, send, or drop off donations in disaster-affected areas.
If you are looking to donate items such as food or clothing or make a financial contribution visit GIVIT, a non-profit organisation partnering with the NSW Government: www.givit.org.au
NSW Fair Trading is reminding the public to take simple precautions to ensure donations are going to legitimate causes.
This includes checking the charity is registered and has a valid fundraising authority, and be cautious of unsolicited donation requests via phone, email, or social media.
MEDICAL TREATMENT PLAN
An expected increase in winter illnesses over the coming months has prompted NSW Health to remind people that free and instant health advice and treatment is available 24/7.
A new campaign encourages all NSW residents to save Healthdirect’s number, 1800 022 222 into their phone, to be ready for when illness strikes over winter.
When you call Healthdirect, a registered nurse will ask some questions about your health.
Depending on your condition, the nurse will recommend the right healthcare option which may include a nearby doctor, pharmacist or urgent care service, connecting you with specialist virtual care, or calling an ambulance if it is life-threatening.
If you or someone you are with is experiencing a medical emergency such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe bleeding, sudden collapse or are seriously injured, please continue to call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
An increasing number of people are turning to Healthdirect to get the advice and reassurance they need to recover quickly, so add 1800 022 222 to the contacts in your mobile telephone.
TAFE ENROLMENT
TAFE NSW is inviting prospective students to local and virtual events to discover more about the course offering for Semester 2, 2025.
Kurri Kurri TAFE is taking registrations for an information session on the Food and Hospitality course being held Wednesday 25 June, 10-11am.
On Monday 30 June, Business and Marketing will the focus of sessions at Maitland TAFE and the Singleton Connected Learning Centre, 10am-12pm, then on Tuesday 1 July at Scone Connected Learning Centre, 10am-12pm.
A virtual information session for the Healthcare course will be held online on Thursday 26 June, 10-11am.
TAFE’s course offerings also include Agriculture, Building and Construction, Community Services, Early Childhood Education, Engineering, Information Technology, Travel and Tourism.
Secure your spot for the information sessions by registering online at: www.tafensw.edu.au/information-sessions
PARLI-FLICKS TIME
Entries are now open for the 2025 Parli-Flicks Short Film Awards and it is free to enter.
The Parliament of NSW wants Year 5 to 12 school students to create a one-minute film that explores democracy and the role of parliament.
This year, students are being asked: ‘What do I value about democracy?’ and entries are required in the regional, metro, primary and secondary categories.
Entries close Friday 8 August with the Presentation night and Parli-Flicks Prize announcement on Wednesday 5 November.
Discover more about Parli-Flicks and how to enter by visiting:
POSITION VACANT
Applications are now open to join the New England Renewable Energy Zone (NEREZ) South community reference group.
The opportunity is for a representative based in the project area between Muswellbrook and Tamworth to help shape the future of the REZ.
A community-minded individual is needed to represent the views of their local area,
provide input into engagement and communication activities and raise issues and opportunities that matter to local communities.
To apply, review the Terms of Reference then complete and return the required documents.
Applications will be reviewed by the Independent Chair, who will assess all submissions and select the successful applicant based on the criteria outlined in the Terms of Reference.
Registrations close on Tuesday 10 June with the next meeting of the NEREZ South community reference group on Tuesday 1 July, 5–7.30pm, in Muswellbrook.
Application information at: www.energyco.nsw.gov.au/ne/working-community
MIDSTART CALLS APPLICATIONS
Registered nurses are being invited by NSW Health to take up the opportunity to train as midwives in the state’s public hospitals next year.
Applications have opened for MidStart 2026 to participate in the training which includes completion of a postgraduate course and employment as a midwifery student to gain clinical experience.
Candidates may be eligible for scholarships and study subsidies with training locations available across the state, including in rural and regional areas.
Eligible applicants must be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident and a Registered Nurse (Division 1) with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, at the time of application.
Applications for MidStart close 2 June with more information available on the NSW Health website: www.health.nsw.gov.au/nursing/employment/midstart/Pages/default.aspx
VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES
A set of guidelines to harness the skills of volunteers with disability to work in the volunteering sector has been launched by the NSW Government.
Business, government and community groups are expected to be more disability confident and boost the participation of people with disability in volunteering roles with the help of the new NSW Disability Inclusion Volunteering Guidelines.
The new resource provides ideas on how organisations can improve volunteering for people with disability, through better recruitment, retention and recognition.
It uses best practice principles that focus on accessibility, creating supportive relationships, and ongoing improvement.
For more about the guidelines and how to get involved visit the NSW Volunteering web page: www.nsw.gov.au/community-services/volunteering/resources-for-volunteering-nsw/nsw-disability-inclusion-volunteering-guidelines
TELECOMMUNICATION UPDATES
The National Broadband Network (nbn) team will have an information stall at Merriwa on Tuesday 27 May, 9am-4pm.
The fixed wireless towers in the Merriwa area have been upgraded with the information stall in front of Merriwa IGA to provide more information and answer any questions that the community may have.
Meantime, Optus is proposing to upgrade existing mobile telephone base stations at Bolwarra and Singleton.
Optus will accept submissions until Monday 2 June on the Paterson Road, Bolwarra proposal with more information at: www.rfnsa.com.au/2320016.
Submissions close on Wednesday 4 June for the proposed upgrade at Singleton Showground with more information from: www.rfnsa.com.au/2330035
FULLY SUBSCRIBED
The School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) has now stopped taking any new family and carer nominations.
SSBI, is an Australian Government program to support students that do not have access to home internet (broadband).
Program numbers now mean no further nominations will be accepted in order to accommodate orders already underway.
People with unredeemed vouchers still have until Monday 30 June to redeem the voucher with a participating program internet provider.
For assistance, the National Referral Centre can be contacted on 1800 954 610 Monday - Friday, 10am-6pm or visit: www.anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet.
ENTRIES EXTENDED
Sculpture on the Farm has extended the deadline for this year’s entries until 1 July.
Over 50 artists have already registered with a $57,000 prize pool on offer across 10 categories, including the acquisitions for public display.
The Sculpture on the Farm main event is scheduled for Dungog over the weekend Friday to Sunday, 29-31 August.
Tickets for the Gala Opening at The James Theatre on Friday 29 August, 5-7pm, will go on sale soon.
Indoor works will be showcased in a large, timber-floored marquee at the event hub.
Monumental and garden sculptures will be displayed along a curated trail through the Dungog Common event precinct.
Select robust outdoor works will remain on display at Dungog Common for the whole of September.
For event updates go to: www.sculptureonthefarm.com
コメント