State Matters - 27 July 2026
- Dave Layzell MP
- 12 minutes ago
- 7 min read
TRANSMISSION LINE PATROL
TRANSGRID has commenced its next round of helicopter patrols of major transmission lines which includes the network crossing the Upper Hunter Electorate.
Flights commenced on Thursday, 23 July, and will continue until Thursday, 13 August, subject to weather conditions.
Transgrid is undertaking aerial thermography patrols with the aircraft flying above the transmission lines to assess their condition using specialist equipment to check for signs of heat (energy) release.
During the three-week period, communities may see helicopters operating in or near the
Transgrid’s transmission network in the Cessnock, Singleton, Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter council areas as well as north to Tamworth and Walcha.
Safety is the network operator’s top priority and Transgrid takes a proactive approach to managing any risks, including the ongoing threat of bushfire.
An interactive map detailing the patrols is available at: www.transgrid.com.au/community/network-inspections-and-maintenance-near-you/
FLIGHTS POSTPONED
EnergyCo has rescheduled its aerial survey work for the New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).
Originally scheduled to take place along the project corridor between Muswellbrook and Armidale from mid-July, the survey has been moved to a new date in September.
The operation, expected to take up to 10 days, has been rescheduled in response to community feedback with EnergyCo endeavouring to avoid particularly sensitive periods for farmers while also meeting its planning timeframes.
Planning measures to minimise potential impacts on farming operations include operating at a higher altitude than is required under Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASRs), removing hover points and maintaining an operating speed intended to reduce noise and disturbance.
The proposed flightpath has been designed to avoid areas with increased sensitivity to aircraft activity, and the operator will avoid direct flights over observed concentrations of livestock.
EnergyCo says it remains committed to planning activities with the least impact wherever possible and encourages landholders to continue sharing feedback with its team.
For more information on the aerial survey, go to:
HOSPITAL UPDATE
Construction is now complete on the new Community Health space at Muswellbrook Hospital.
Located within the existing hospital site, the new Community Health space features contemporary consultation and treatment spaces, improving access to services and strengthening referral pathways to other hospital services for patients and staff.
The new space, delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $45 million Muswellbrook Redevelopment Stage 3, will provide a wide range of services including nursing care, child and family health care, and allied health services, all tailored to individual needs.
Community Health services will relocate from the Wiedmann Wing to the new area in coming weeks with services continuing to operate throughout the move to ensure patients receive the care they need.
The milestone builds on the recent completion of the new operating theatres suite, delivered as part of the redevelopment which opened earlier this year.
Construction of a new sterilisation department is expected to commence next year.
Information on the Muswellbrook Hospital Redevelopment Stage 3, is available at:
ALMOST DONE
Motorists are advised that traffic control will remain in place until work is completed in the coming weeks at the intersection of Vinegaroy Road and Golden Highway, Cassilis.
The work, which is part of the Port of Newcastle to Renewable Energy Zones (Port-to-REZ) road upgrades, is nearing completion.
The upgrades will enable the delivery of oversize over mass (OSOM) equipment needed to build renewable energy zones across NSW and leave improved roads for the whole community.
EnergyCo acknowledges the delays at the location and apologises for the inconvenience.
For the latest roadwork updates, visit www.livetraffic.com or call 132 701.
RURAL CRIME REMINDER
The NSW Police Force Rural Crime Prevention Team is continuing to encourage farmers and rural property managers to help call time on rural crime by reporting it.
Livestock, farm equipment, fuel and firearm theft, illegal hunting, fishing, poaching, trespassing and vandalism are all criminal offences.
For a fuel theft in progress or for incidents where vehicles are seen trespassing and hanging around farm fuel storage facilities, call Triple Zero (000).
If you’re a victim of crime, report it to the NSW Police Force Community Portal: https://portal.police.nsw.gov.au/s/login/ or the Police Assistance Line (PAL) on 131 444.
If you see something, have information or want to provide a tip-off in confidence 24/7 online – NSW Police don’t need your name, just what you know: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au
or call 1800 333 000.
HUNTER WATER REVIEW
Consultation has commenced on potential changes to Hunter Water’s operating licence.
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is reviewing Hunter Water’s 2022-2027 operating licence before it expires on 30 June 2027.
The licence sets the terms and conditions that Hunter Water must follow when providing water, wastewater and stormwater services to its customers across the Lower Hunter region.
The licence requirements aim to protect customers, public health, the environment and service quality.
An issues paper has been prepared that includes 20 questions to help participants respond to the paper.
Have your say online by 4 September, at: www.nsw.gov.au/have-your-say/hunter-water-operating-licence-review
TRIPLE ZERO EXPLAINED
Connection to the Triple Zero emergency services network has been in the spotlight following the issues which have now impacted several telecommunication operators.
NSW Ambulance has provided this advice to help callers when you need to dial ‘000’.
In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) immediately, your mobile phone will attempt to connect to any available network.
If your phone shows ‘SOS only’, you may still be able to call Triple Zero.
If your call does not connect straight away, or is taking a long time, stay on the line to keep your place in the call queue.
If you can, also try another mobile phone that uses a different network, a landline telephone or payphone.
If you are connected to Wi-Fi, make sure Wi-Fi calling is enabled.
Also, check your phone isn’t on airplane mode.
Knowing how to call Triple Zero in a medical emergency can be the difference between life and death.
If you are faced with a medical emergency, there are a few simple but important things you need to do, so check the NSW Ambulance website for tips:
PROTECT THREATENED BIRDS
The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust is hosting information sessions next week for landholders with native woodland habitat in the Hunter Valley or Central Tablelands.
Landholders will soon be invited to submit expressions of interest to receive annual payments for protecting and managing a portion of their land for conservation.
The tender aims to support private landholders to protect important native habitat for
threatened woodland bird species, including, but not limited to, the critically endangered regent honeyeater.
Information sessions are at Cessnock Leagues Club on Monday 3 August, Merriwa RSL Wednesday 5 August and Singleton Heights-Club Dorsman, Thursday 6 August, with all sessions Noon to 2pm.
For more on the information sessions and the expressions of interest process, check:
GRANT INFORMATION
Cassilis Community Hall is the venue this Friday morning, 31 July, for an information session, 9-11am, on the ACEREZ Community Grants Program Round 2.
Local community organisations are encouraged to participate with the program funding innovative and impactful projects across the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone.
Small community grants ranging from $3,000 up to $50,000 and significant grants from $50,000 up to $1 million are available.
Projects working to enhance public amenity, health, agriculture, education, sport and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are encouraged to apply.
Round 2 of the ACEREZ Community Grants Program will open on 10 August.
To learn more visit: www.acerez.com.au/community or contact the ACEREZ team at:
cwo.community@acerez-acjv.com.au or call 1800 298 379.
TIME FOR THE COUNT!
Every five years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics conducts the Census of Population and Housing with the next national count being conducted on Tuesday, 11 August.
The Census is a snapshot of the country and tells the story of how we are changing.
By counting every person and household, the data informs planning for schools, health care, transport and infrastructure and is also used to help plan local services for individuals, families and communities.
Households will be receiving their instructions in the mail from late-July, then can complete the Census as soon as they get their instructions, if they know where they’ll be on Census night.
The Census is compulsory with everyone in Australia on Census night to be included on a Census form.
If you have a question, go to: https://info.census.abs.gov.au
ASBESTOS PLAN
A two-year trial allowing NSW households to have asbestos waste picked up and disposed of for free is part of the NSW Asbestos Plan of Action.
The plan was developed through consultation involving SafeWork NSW, the Asbestos and Dust Diseases Institute, industry, workers and the NSW Asbestos Coordination Committee.
Many people undertaking renovations don’t know where to safely dispose of asbestos or find it is expensive which often leads to mistaken disposal or illegal dumping.
The plan is part of the state government’s comprehensive response to the Chief Scientist’s report into asbestos in the waste stream.
View it online, at: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/management-asbestos-recovered-material
HEALTHY CHOICES
Families with primary school-aged children wanting to start a healthy lifestyle are invited by NSW Health to join Go4Fun.
The free online healthy lifestyle program has expert health coaching, practical tools and fun family activities.
Go4Fun can help you kick start small changes that make a big difference for your family.
By signing up you get access to up to eight confidential calls with a professional health coach, fun interactive activities with videos and games for families to complete together and practical tips, budget-friendly recipes, and tools for tracking healthy choices.
Join Go4Fun families at: www.nsw.gov.au/go4fun or call 1800 780 900 Monday to Friday, 9am –5pm.
CACTUS WATCH
Hunter Local Land Services is alerting land managers and farmers to keep watch for Harrisia cactus.
This spiny invader produces thousands of viable seed and is spread easily by pest animals, harms livestock, turns productive land into a prickly mess, outcompeting grasses and native vegetation.
If you have spotted suspicious cactus clumps, now is the time to act by learning how to identify it, understanding why it is a problem and the best control options.
Managing weeds is part of your General Biosecurity Duty as a landholder in NSW.
For local advice on weed management or to report an infestation, don’t hesitate to contact your local council biosecurity officer: www.hunterregionalweeds.net.au/index.php/weed-officer-contact
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
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