State Matters - 28 April 2025
- Dave Layzell MP
- Apr 30
- 6 min read
XPT ROAD COACH UPDATE
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE road coaches will replace the Sydney-Grafton XPT services on the North Coast line from Monday 28 April.
The new coaches will run as express or selected stops services in place of the 5.15am Grafton-Sydney service and 11.44am Sydney-Grafton services for 12 months during the major diesel fleet train maintenance program.
Coach stops will be at Newcastle Interchange, Broadmeadow and Taree with Transport for NSW advising Maitland and Upper Hunter passengers to catch other TrainLink services, connecting via Hunter line train services.
The Sydney-Brisbane and Sydney-Casino trains will operate as normal along with regular timetabled TrainLink coach and local bus route services.
Normal train services are expected to return in April 2026.
Bookings for the coach service can be made at https://transportnsw.info/regional or by calling the NSW TrainLink Contact Centre, 7am -10pm daily, on 13 22 32.
Find more information about the service changes at: https://transportnsw.info/news/2025/temporary-change-on-sydney-to-grafton-service
SINGLETON BYPASS NIGHTWORK
Motorists are being advised to plan their journey during upcoming out of hours work on roads around the Singleton Bypass.
A full night-time closure of the New England Highway at Gowrie Gates is scheduled for Tuesday 6 May between 7pm and 4am, weather permitting.
Traffic will be stopped in both directions for up to 20 minutes at a time between 9pm and 4am to install five girders on a new bridge which will form part of the bypass.
Work may occur on Wednesday 7 May and Thursday 8 May if work is not completed on the Tuesday night.
Then, during Wednesday night 14 May traffic on Putty Road near Carrington Street, Glenridding will be delayed for up to 20 minutes between 7pm and 4am, weather permitting.
Work may occur on Thursday 15 May and Friday 16 May if work is not completed on the first shift.
Live Traffic updates will be issued at: www.livetraffic.com
TELL IPART
The NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) wants the community to have its say on the draft Hunter Water pricing proposal by Tuesday 6 May.
The report outlines the draft decisions IPART has made regarding the prices Hunter Water can charge customers for water, wastewater and stormwater services from 1 July 2025.
Major investments proposed for the Upper Hunter electorate include pipeline replacement work on the Chichester Trunk Gravity Main, Chichester Dam Stability Upgrades, Gresford Water Treatment Plant Water Quality Upgrade and refurbishments to the Williams River floodgates.
Hunter Water’s Pricing Proposal Customer Summary is available at:
IPART’s draft decisions can be found on its website:
Meantime, Hunter Water is currently seeking passionate locals to join the new Community Committee with Expressions of Interest to close on 12 May via: https://secure.insyncsurveys.com.au/surveys/HWCCommunityCommitteeEOI2025/
CALL POLICE
My thanks to NSW Police for its support of the Community Forum held recently at Greta Public School.
Northern Region Commander Assistant Commissioner Dave Waddell and Acting Hunter Valley Police District Commander Justin Cornes joined senior local officers to discuss concern about crime in the Branxton, Greta and Huntlee communities.
Assistant Commissioner Waddell advised participants that Branxton will have increased police activity during the impending upgrade of Singleton Police Station.
The key messages from police are to report all crime and that a social media post about crime “is not a report to NSW Police.”
To report crime, call the Police Assistance Line on 131444, for emergencies and when serious crime is happening call Triple Zero – ‘000’ - and report criminal activity to Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 and online at: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au
WINTER PREPARATIONS
The NSW Government’s official winter vaccines campaign has been launched ahead of the peak winter respiratory virus season.
Influenza vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for all children aged six months to under five years, people aged 65 years and older, as well as vulnerable individuals such as pregnant women and people with medical risk factors.
The state government has worked to get the supply of vaccines out to doctors and pharmacists with people encouraged to visit their pharmacist or local GP to access flu vaccinations.
International experience indicates the possibility of a higher than usual influenza activity season this year.
For the latest advice on influenza check the NSW Health website:
ATTENTION RATEPAYERS
Dungog and Maitland residents currently have the opportunity to tell their local councils what the community’s priorities are for the next financial year.
Dungog Shire Council has the Draft Community Strategic Plan 2025-35, Draft Delivery Program 2025-29, Draft Operational Plan 2025-26, Draft Resourcing Strategy, Budget and Fees and Charges 2025-26 on public exhibition for 28 days.
Information sessions are scheduled for Dungog’s Doug Walters Pavillion on Monday 28 April 4-6pm, Thursday 1 May at Vacy School of Arts Hall 4-6pm, Monday 5 May at Gresford School of Arts Hall 4-6pm, Clarence Town School of Arts Hall 4-6pm on Tuesday 6 May and Wednesday 7 May at Paterson School of Arts Hall 4-6pm.
Submissions close Friday 16 May with more details on council’s website:
Maitland residents have until Monday 19 May to provide input on council’s four-year plan to turn community priorities into outcomes, from local infrastructure to essential services.
Maitland City Council’s draft plans to deliver, resource and fund the priorities include the Draft Delivery Program 2025–29, Operational Plan 2025–26 and Draft Fees and Charges 2025–26, plus the Resourcing Maitland’s Future, Long-Term Financial Plan, Workforce Management Strategy and Asset Management Planning.
ILLEGAL CLEARING PROPOSAL
The NSW Government is responding to calls from local councils to help address the growing number of cases of illegal tree clearing in the state.
Proposed updates to illegal tree and vegetation clearing rules are currently being exhibited in an Explanation of Intended Effect (EIE).
Changes to Chapter 2 (Vegetation in non-rural areas) of the Biodiversity and Conservation SEPP and other related instruments would increase penalties for illegal clearing, close loopholes, and make the penalty and compliance framework stronger.
The proposed changes will help to deter illegal tree and vegetation clearing, protect trees, and ensure urban communities are greener, cooler and healthier.
The changes are being exhibited for public feedback until Wednesday 4 June, with more information at: www.planning.nsw.gov.au/policy-and-legislation/environment-and-heritage/vegetation-in-non-rural-areas
WAR MEMORIAL FUNDING
The program to support the conservation, repair and protection of local memorials throughout NSW is taking applications until 25 June.
$250,000 in funding is available from the Community War Memorials Fund 2025-26 for the protection and conservation of war memorials.
There is now just one grant round per year with the maximum individual grant amount increased to $15,000.
Applications can also be submitted under a new category for works to war memorial precincts, as well as the existing categories for condition assessments and physical works.
To be eligible for funding, the memorial must be listed on the NSW War Memorials Register: https://www.warmemorialsregister.nsw.gov.au.
Details on how to apply and for more information go to: https://www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/heritage/community-war-memorials-fund.
BIG WEEKEND!
Anticipation is building ahead of Friday’s start to the 2025 Tocal Field Days as Tocal College hosts the annual three-day event.
Over 300 exhibitors will be on site for the thousands heading to the Paterson Valley to enjoy getting up close to agriculture, live music, food and wine, shopping, plus hands-on experiences for the whole family.
One of the easiest ways to get to Tocal Friday through Sunday is to board the shuttle buses available from Maitland Train Station.
Then on Saturday evening 3 May, Singleton Firelight heads back to its origins when the annual homage to autumn returns to the Singleton Civic Precinct from 6–9.30pm.
New additions to the program include ice skating in the Civic Centre and participants are asked to bring along a picnic rug or chairs for the outdoor cinema screening of Ice Age.
The Civic Precinct and Library car park will be closed on Saturday night, but there is plenty of parking in and around the area.
For more information to plan your night, visit: www.singletonfirelight.com.au
BIOSECURITY DUTY
Local Land Services is asking the community to take a moment to watch a quick introductory video to help understand General Biosecurity Duty for managing pest animals and weeds.
If you own, occupy or manage land in NSW, you have a responsibility to be aware of pest animals and weeds on your land and take action to effectively manage them.
This responsibility is known as your General Biosecurity Duty (GBD) and your role under the Biosecurity Act 2015 is to prevent, eliminate or minimise pest animals, weeds and their impacts.
Pest animals and weeds cause significant damage to our environment, agriculture and communities.
There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach and you are not expected to know everything but everyone has a role to play in protecting against biosecurity risks.
The good news is support is available to suit your situation with advice on meeting your GBD available from local biosecurity officers on 1300 795 299.
For more on General Biosecurity Duty and to view the video click on:
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