State Matters - 30 June 2025

NSW BUDGET 2025-26

FOR A BUDGET claiming to deliver for New South Wales, the fine print tells a very different story.

The Minns Labor Government’s 2025-26 Budget is short on relief for families, workers, home buyers, renters and the communities of NSW who are struggling to make ends meet.

After two years in office, Labor’s Budget reads like a collection of band-aids - no cost-of-living plan, no tax reform and no visionary infrastructure like under the NSW Liberals and Nationals Coalition.

The Upper Hunter electorate has every right to feel let down as we watch declining health services such as Muswellbrook needing 24/7 access to a CT scanner, declining maternity services and health services in general.

Projects within the electorate with continued NSW Government funding include Singleton Bypass for the main construction and Muswellbrook Bypass to continue planning and early work.

While it is fair to welcome the $8.7 million refurbishment of the Singleton Police Station, this has been a long time coming and we are no closer to the 24-hour station the community calls for.

FLOOD RECOVERY UPDATE

The NSW Reconstruction Authority continues to operate Recovery Assistance Points across the Upper Hunter Electorate this week.

Personalised support and information on farm recovery is available at the Gloucester Shire Council building, 89 King Street on Wednesday and Thursday, 2-3 July, 1.30-5.30pm.

Bolwarra-Largs Rural Fire Service station in Lang Drive, Bolwarra Heights hosts a Recovery Assistance Point on Thursday, 3 July, 12-4pm.

Meanwhile, Hunter Local Land Services recent update on Natural Disaster Assistance encourages flood and storm affected landholders to apply for assistance grants and loans through the Rural Assistance Authority (RAA).

Category ‘C’ Assistance measures are now available for eligible rural landholders affected by two declared events - NSW East Coast Severe weather from 18th May (ARGN 1212) and

NSW Tropical Cyclone Alfred from 3rd March 2025 (ARGN 1198).

The grant application process involves the uploading of photos of damage and impact to farms. 

Landholders are encouraged to speak to RAA staff if they have questions about eligibility or are having difficulty with the forms by calling 1800 678 593 during business hours or got to: www.raa.nsw.gov.au

Landholders may also seek the assistance of a Rural Financial Counsellor in their area by calling 1800 344 090 for an appointment or register via: https://rfcsnr.org.au

REZ ROADWORK DROP-IN

EnergyCo and Transport for NSW are hosting a community drop-in session on Thursday 3 July at Jerrys Plains on proposed oversize over mass (OSOM) pullover bays.

EnergyCo is undertaking upgrades along the State Road network to enable the delivery of OSOM equipment needed to build renewable energy zones and leave improved roads for the whole community.

The proposed pullover bay at Jerrys Plains is located on the northbound side of the Golden Highway, north of the BP Service Station, in an area already informally used by vehicles to stop.

OSOM vehicles will be able to pull over and allow motorists to pass with the pullover bay to be asphalted and will tie into the highway.  

The community drop-in session at Jerrys Plains School of Arts Hall in Wambo Street, 5-7pm, will also provide an update about the Hunter Transmission Project.

For more on the pullover bays go to: www.energyco.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-06/port-to-rez-work-notification-pullover-bay-june-2025.pdf

MINE REHABILITATION REPORT

Four recommendations have been made by the NSW Auditor-General in a new report on regulating mine rehabilitation.

The Performance Audit Report found the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is not effectively monitoring and reporting on compliance with mining rehabilitation requirements.

The Department is responsible for overseeing and enforcing the requirements with the functions delivered by the NSW Resources Regulator.

Total value of rehabilitation security deposits held by the Department was around $4 billion in 2023–24.

Audit recommendations include implementing an evaluation plan to measure regulatory outcomes and developing and reporting publicly on key performance indicators and targets.

See the full report at: www.audit.nsw.gov.au

SINGLETON BYPASS UPDATE

Transport for NSW has advised out of hours work will be carried out at different locations along the Singleton Bypass project over the next three months.

Work outside of standard construction hours is scheduled from the beginning of July to the end of September, 6pm-7am on weeknights, and some work on Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting.

The work along the bypass alignment and on the New England Highway between Range Road, Whittingham and Rixs Creek Lane, Rixs Creek is to maintain safety for road users and workers and to keep traffic moving during peak travel times.

It will involve earthwork, relocation and cut over of water and sewer utilities, work on existing roads including line marking, asphalting involving traffic control and placement of temporary roadside barriers and concrete.

Delivery and placement of concrete bridge girders and parapets using cranes will also occur.

For the latest traffic updates call 132 701, visit https://livetraffic.com download the app Live Traffic NSW or visit the project website: https://nswroads.work/singleton

SPARK UP!

Transgrid is offering school leavers, young and mature age career changers alike, the chance to develop hands-on skills and qualifications and play a key role in Australia’s energy transition.

Apprentice Program roles include Electrical Substation Technician Apprentices, Telecommunications Technician Apprentices and Transmission Line Apprentices.

Transgrid wants to hear from you if you’re interested in future apprenticeship opportunities for 2027 with positions available at locations including Newcastle, Tamworth, Eastern Creek, Orange, Wagga Wagga and Yass.

While you learn you will earn a starting salary of over $66,000, work towards a nationally recognised trade qualification over four years and be part of something bigger, helping to deliver the energy transition.

For more information visit: https://www.transgrid.com.au/careers/apprentice-program/

APPLY NOW

Applications open this week for two NSW Government grant programs with local not-for-profits, schools, councils and sporting groups encouraged to apply.

The Clubgrants Category 3 Fund supports infrastructure for sport and recreation, arts and culture, disaster readiness and community infrastructure.

Grant funding of between $50,000 and up-to-$300,000 is available with applications to close on 21 July at: www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/clubgrants-category-3-fund

Meantime, the Local Sport Grant Program will provide funding of $50,000 per electorate to support grassroots sporting clubs to increase participation, host events, improve access and enhance sport and recreation facilities.

The grant amount requested must be a minimum of $2,000 and a maximum of $20,000.

Applications close Monday 18 August with outcomes advised from February next year onwards, for further details go to: www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/local-sport-grant-program

FLOOD INSIGHT

The Water Group of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is now giving the public an insight into why flood mitigation matters more than ever.

The recent presentation available online covers the role played by the Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme during the May floods.

Scheme manager, Adrian Milne, provides the update on how the event impacting the Williams, Paterson and Hunter rivers was managed as well as some of the challenges that were encountered.

Video footage of the flood captured by a camera-equipped drone provides some unique perspectives of what happens when the three waterways in flood converged on the Maitland floodplain.

Visit the department’s June 2025 Water Engagement Roundup webinar to view the presentation: https://water.dpie.nsw.gov.au/have-your-say/community/round-up

EROSION ADVICE

Hunter Local Land Services has provided advice for landholders who were impacted by erosion during the May flood especially in the Paterson and Williams Valleys.

Major flood events often cause significant riverbank erosion that is highly visible and while some landowners may want to immediately fix the erosion, doing so without first seeking expert guidance or regulatory approval can result in harsh penalties and increased erosion risk.

Landslips following extreme weather can also cause significant and complex damage to properties, especially in the hilly terrain of the Hunter.

In situations where landslips are unstable or putting infrastructure or access at risk, it is recommended to consult with technical experts such as the Soil Conservation Service before commencing any work.

Hunter LLS recommends downloading factsheets including How should I undertake erosion work following floods or learn more about managing erosion before and after flooding, which are available at: www.lls.nsw.gov.au/floods/flood-recovery-resources

MORE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION

Upper Hunter Shire will benefit from progress being made on the NSW Government’s Critical Communications Enhancement Program to expand and enhance the Public Safety Network (PSN).

The NSW Telco Authority has completed the detailed design for the Ten Mile Mountain site at Kars Springs which now moves to the construction stage over the coming months.

Expanding the footprint of the PSN for frontline responders will deliver an interoperable network allowing all emergency services to communicate with each other to coordinate responses to critical incidents.

Next to Australia’s Triple Zero emergency call service, the Public Safety Network is the most critical communications network in NSW.

PEST CONTROL

All landholders, regardless of property size, are being reminded that they have a role to play in feral animal control following a major pest control program in the Upper Hunter.

The program across 30 properties in the Wingen and Murrurundi districts resulted in the removal of nearly 3,000 deer and over 1,000 feral pigs, plus smaller numbers of foxes, wild dogs and feral cats.

Hunter Local Land Services says the results of the eight-day operation, in collaboration with local landholders, highlight both the scale of the problem and the benefits of coordinated, landscape-scale control efforts.

Large herds of feral deer are becoming more common along transport routes, raising the risk of collisions with vehicles, as well as contributing to soil erosion, destroying native vegetation and posing a significant economic and environmental threat.

Landholders can report pest sightings via the FeralScan app: www.feralscan.org.au or contact the Hunter LLS biosecurity team on 1300 795 299 for support.

IN FOCUS

Tickets for Sculpture on the Farm 2025 are now officially on sale as Dungog prepares to celebrate art, the outdoors, and the people who bring it all together over Friday to Sunday, 29-31 August.

The James Theatre, Dungog hosts the Gala Opening on Friday 29 August from 5pm, before Dungog Common becomes the backdrop for over a hundred works by Australian sculptors which are on display throughout September.

For more information visit the Sculpture on the Farm website: www.sculptureonthefarm.com

And, the countdown is underway to the official opening of the Mullins Conceptual Photographic Prize on Saturday 23 August at Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre (MRAC).

Adjudicator, Antares Wells, Assistant Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, has slimmed the 273 high-quality conceptual artworks entered in the 2025 Prize down to her 30 selected finalists.

The final adjudication to determine the sole winner of the $30,000 prize will be made on 22 August with the decision announced at the official opening to be livestreamed on the MRAC Facebook page: www.facebook.com/muswellbrookartscentre