State Matters - 27 October 2025
- Dave Layzell MP
- 31 minutes ago
- 8 min read
CONSULTATION UNDERWAY
FEEDBACK is currently being sought on the concept design for the New England Highway Rocky Cut Realignment, planned for north of Scone.
The Australian and NSW Governments will invest $50 million to improve safety by realigning and widening a narrow section of the highway near Wingen.
It will involve bypassing the section of the highway for around 600 metres and road widening with the work to extend to just south of the Cressfield Road intersection.
The safety risk for potential head-on collisions and other incidents impacting the operation of the highway at Rocky Cut will be significantly reduced.
Public comment on the concept design is open until Friday 7 November at RockyCut@transport.nsw.gov.au or call 1800 424 082 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm).
View the concept plans at: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/new-england-highway-rocky-cut-realignment
ROADWORK AHEAD
Transport for NSW will carry out work at Blandford and Bulga starting from Monday 3 November.
Improvement of the road surface is scheduled for the New England Highway Blandford, Monday to Friday, 7am-5pm, with the work expected to be completed in three weeks, weather permitting.
It includes removing and replacing the existing road surface and road markings to improve the roadway for all road users.
The Bulga Bridge repair and upgrade project on Putty Road will resume and be carried out on weekdays 7am-4pm, and is expected to take four weeks to complete, weather permitting.
Transport is now progressing to rehabilitate the beach areas after the completion of repair and upgrade work in late-2024.
For the latest traffic updates call 132 701, visit www.livetraffic.com or download the app Live Traffic NSW.
HEALTH AGM
Hunter New England Local Health District holds its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 11 November.
Interested community members can attend the AGM, scheduled for 2-3pm, by using video conferencing technology.
Board Chair, Kirsten Molloy, and Chief Executive, Tracey McCosker, will outline the heath district’s highlights of the past year.
Register by email to participate before Friday 7 November at:
HNELHD-Communication@health,nsw.gov.au, with video conference details to be sent after RSVPs are lodged.
FARMERS’ PLAN
NSW Farmers has launched a discussion paper on opportunities the state’s peak farm body believes Newcastle and the Hunter Valley could pursue as it transitions from coal.
Beyond Coal: New Growth for Newcastle and the Hunter, has laid out how the region could create 88,000 new jobs and generate an additional $20 billion for the state economy within the near future.
The discussion paper focused on how the region was uniquely positioned to take advantage of existing opportunities in food and fibre value-adding, and what future investment in training, processing and logistics would be needed.
Practical recommendations include repurposing degraded mining land for solar and wind projects, investment in agricultural skills and training by expanding programs in food science, logistics, and advanced manufacturing, prioritise food and fibre production and encouraging investment in niche processing and manufacturing.
Read the discussion paper at: https://nswfarmers.org.au
WILD DOG ACTION
Hunter Local Land Services (LLS) is encouraging landholders to make use of WildDogScan to help protect pets, livestock and local wildlife.
It has been designed by landholders for communities to make it easier to record and track wild dog activity.
You can record sightings and evidence like footprints or scats, attacks such as mauled livestock or domestic animals and landholders’ control activities including baiting or trapping.
If you need support or advice contact your local LLS biosecurity officer for help with coordinated control options and local information by calling 1300 795 299.
WildDogScan is a free for landholders, Landcare and community groups, local councils, professional pest controllers and biosecurity groups and can be found at: https://www.feralscan.org.au/wilddogscan/default.aspx
MUSWELLBROOK PARTIES
Note to self, if you are planning to be in Muswellbrook next Tuesday 4 November - remember the part-day public holiday.
Muswellbrook Shire’s declared local public holiday begins at midday and continues until 6pm.
In determining local public holiday entitlements, employees/employers should consider that additional penalty payments may apply subject to the terms of the relevant industrial awards, agreements or employment contract, and the National Employment Standards under the Fair Work Act 2009.
If you are wondering what the locals will be doing, it’s probably enjoying the Big Dance Race Day and Mayor’s Cup at Muswellbrook racecourse plus watching the Melbourne Cup.
Muswellbrook races conclude the five days of ‘A Little Taste of Real Country’ which begins Friday 31 October with the Blue Heeler Film Festival Awards Night and continues Saturday 1 November in Ogilvie Street, Denman with the Wine, Food and Film Affair.
For the ‘Little Taste of Real Country’ full list of events, go to:
TOURISM FORUM
Arts Upper Hunter and Singleton Council are holding a free, hands-on workshop to help tourism and events to grow their reach and attract more visitors.
Event organisers, community organisations, artists, agri-tourism groups, small businesses, accommodation providers and tourism operators are all being invited to Singleton Civic Centre on Thursday 13 November at 10am.
Over the three hour session participants will discover how to make their mark on the tourism map by creating an eye-catching Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) listing that tells their story.
Whether you run a farm tour, market, gallery, or guesthouse, this workshop will help showcase what makes your slice of the Hunter truly special.
Don’t miss the chance to get your business and your story in front of more visitors, book at:
www.123tix.com.au/events/50122/share-your-story-grow-your-audience-atdw-beyond-in-singleton or check: www.facebook.com/SingletonCouncil
ANZAC STUDY TOUR
Applications are open for Accompanying Teachers to be part of the 2026 Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship school study tour.
Sixteen NSW students will be selected to participate in next year’s study tour to Greece and Crete, with 2026 marking the 85th anniversary of the Greek and Crete campaigns of 1941.
NSW teachers of Stage 5 History and/or Stage 6 Modern History are encouraged to apply for this unique professional development opportunity to enrich their understanding and teaching of Australian war time history.
Key locations on the tour include Athens, war cemeteries at Phaleron and Suda Bay, and the historic site of the Battle of Rethymno, where Australian and Greek troops faced a fierce German paratrooper assault.
Students in Year 10 or 11 in 2026 are encouraged to register their interest ahead of applications opening early next year: www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/education/premiers-anzac-memorial-scholarship/
Accompanying Teacher applications close 26 November at: https://veteransaffairs.smartygrants.com.au/PAMS2026Teachers
SHOWER CHALLENGE
We are being challenged to take four-minute showers as part of small, lasting changes to reduce household water consumption.
The challenge follows new national research conducted by The Water Conservancy, a 'not for profit' advisory hub, for education, facilitation, and adoption of a more conscious and efficient approach to water use in Australia.
The research has revealed that Australians’ love of long, hot showers is sending thousands of litres of clean water down the drain every year and driving up household energy use and emissions.
Two-thirds of us shower for five minutes or more, with 20 per cent of people takes between 10 and 15 minutes, using up to 135 litres per shower or enough to fill a small swimming pool over a year.
Heating water contributes up to 30 per cent of household energy use and as much as 25 per cent of residential greenhouse gas emissions.
Other water saving tips are to turn off taps while brushing teeth, run full dishwasher and washing machine loads, and choosing appliances with top star Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards ratings.
Discover more at: https://thewaterconservancy.org
EWON ANNUAL REPORT
The Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) Annual Report for 2024-2025 is now out recapping a year with 27,588 complaints managed.
EWON is a not-for-profit, industry-based ombudsman scheme, which is neither a consumer or industry advocate, that independently achieves fair and reasonable outcomes for all parties.
It provides free, fair and independent dispute resolution services to energy customers, Hunter Water, Water NSW and private water utility customers and consumers affected by renewable energy transmission infrastructure.
Electricity contributed 81 per cent of industry complaints last financial year, gas 15 per cent and water 4 per cent with 19,857 billing complaints topping the workload for EWON.
Since 1 December 2024, the Energy Transition team has received 43 complaints, relating to unsatisfactory community engagement practices, transmission line placement, lack of transparency and information on proposed works, and lack of response to concerns.
View the report at: www.ewon.com.au/page/publications-and-submissions/annual-reports/annual-report-2024-2025
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
Hunter-based Breast Cancer Trials (BCT) has used October to raise awareness of the vital role research plays in finding new treatments and prevention strategies for breast cancer.
In the Upper Hunter electorate, approximately 63 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and tragically 15 women lose their lives to the disease each year.
BCT is a group of world-leading doctors and researchers based in Australia and New Zealand which has conducted more than 95 clinical trials since 1978.
The unique collaboration between researchers, participants, and supporters has improved treatment, changed the way breast cancer is managed, and saved millions of lives worldwide.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and while it remains the most common cancer in women, survival rates have improved but, unfortunately, far too many lives are still being lost.
BCT says there is a united belief that it can and will find new and better treatments and prevention strategies that save lives today, tomorrow, and forever.
See BCT’s work at: www.breastcancertrials.org.au
NEW RATINGS
Motorcyclists are being helped by the NSW Government with new motorcycle helmet safety ratings showing the best protection does not have to come with the biggest price tag.
The Consumer Rating and Assessment of Safety Helmets (CRASH) program is conducted by a consortium of government agencies and the Australian Motorcycle Council.
CRASH independently and rigorously tests around 30 helmets annually against a range of criteria such as measuring impact protection, noise, ventilation, field of view and resistance to fogging.
All helmets sold in NSW must meet minimum standards, but of the 30 motorcycle helmet models tested by CRASH this year, five received a four-star rating for safety protection.
Research shows wearing a motorcycle helmet can reduce the risk of death by up to 42 per cent, the risk of head injury by 69 per cent if a rider is involved in a crash, and protective clothing also plays an important role in rider safety.
Riders can explore the full helmet ratings and subscribe for MotoCAP updates at: www.motocap.com.au/products/helmets
TSR RECREATIONAL USE
People who use travelling stock reserves (TSRs) are being reminded they can only be used for passive recreational activities.
Hunter Local Land Services (LLS) is advising prospective users that it is illegal to camp, ride a motorbike or four-wheel drive on a travelling stock reserve.
Passive recreational activities allowed on the reserves include bushwalking, bird watching, horse riding, having a picnic and pedal bike riding.
TSRs are not only important for agricultural productivity, but play an important role in moving livestock, biodiversity conservation including supporting threatened species and habitats, and Aboriginal culture.
To learn more, call the LLS on 1300 795 299 or visit the TSR webpage:
SPORTS SHOOTING GRANTS
Shooting organisations can now share in $800,000 of NSW Government funding following the opening of the Safe Shooting Program.
Individual shooting clubs, shooting ranges and shooting organisations can apply for grants, which range from $10,000 to $50,000.
Eligible projects include improvements to storage, security and safety, as well as new equipment, such as electronic targets.
The program also supports projects which incorporate inclusive design, improved safety, environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
Applications close Friday, 17 November, with further information at:
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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