‘TOPS UPDATE
INVASIVE animals have been targeted by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) during a recent control program in the Barrington Tops National Park.
The operation was undertaken to remove hundreds of pests including pigs, rabbits, hares and horses which threaten the globally significant ecosystems of the park and pose the greatest risk to world heritage and other values.
NPWS will now seek interest from individuals and organisations interested in rehoming the horses from the park and, subject to interest, will undertake trapping for rehoming next year.
Whilst the park has reopened after a four-week closure for the operation, some 4WD trails will remain off limits following the annual seasonal closure due to trail conditions.
Tugalow trail, Thunderbolts trail between Barrington Tops Forest Road and Pheasants Creek Road and Barrington Trail south past the Junction Pools Trail are closed.
The closure does not affect access to the Barrington Tops plateau campgrounds, with walkers and mountain bikers still permitted to use the trails during the closure to public vehicles.
For the latest updates visit: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/alerts/alerts-list
BOARD MEMBERS NEEDED
Volunteers are currently required to manage three Crown land locations in the Upper Hunter Electorate.
Applications from prospective board members for the Broke Public Hall, Baerami Public Hall and Moonan Brook Recreation Reserve will begin to close from mid-October.
Board members are empowered to make decisions regarding the use and management of the reserve land and are responsible for the implementation of those decisions.
The boards are accountable to their community and are required to act in accordance with the Crown Reserve Code of Conduct and report to the Minister annually on their activities.
The term of appointment will be for a period not exceeding five years with further details at:
EPA DUST BUSTING
‘Bust the Dust’ is back with the NSW Environment Protection Authority putting coal mines on notice to reduce emissions and protect air quality.
The campaign, which is now in its sixth year, aims to reduce emissions from Hunter Valley collieries and ensure compliance with licence conditions.
Last year, Bust the Dust recorded 78 observations and found most Hunter mines had adequate dust suppression measures in place and some even took the extra step of standing down operations due to unfavourable weather.
The latest surveillance comes with the EPA this week concluding it recent community consultation on NSW coal mines regulation with the feedback to be assessed after the closure on Wednesday 2 October.
To Have Your Say visit: https://yoursay.epa.nsw.gov.au/state-wide-coal-mine-consultation
To view the latest air quality data from the Upper Hunter Air Quality Monitoring Network:
FREE COURSE!
TAFE NSW is partnering with Destination NSW to develop and deliver training programs jointly funded by the Federal Government’s NSW Choose Tourism Program.
The subsidised courses are designed to address industry workforce shortages by encouraging Australians to pursue a career in the visitor economy, helping operators to attract, retain and upskill staff.
Until 8 November, an ‘Introduction to the Visitor Economy’ microskill: a short self-directed online course, designed to provide foundational knowledge and explore careers in the visitor economy industry is being offered free to the public.
From late-October, five one-hour video masterclasses, fully subsidised, will be available on the TAFE NSW website, featuring industry experts such as Scenic World, Cupitt’s Estate, Merlin Entertainments, Sydney Opera House, and W Hotels.
A modernised Certificate III in Tourism is set for delivery next year with the updated qualification to include new visitor economy skills.
Updates will also incorporate contemporary case studies and assessments based on industry feedback to ensure the qualification meets the current needs of the sector.
The ‘Introduction to Visitor Economy’ microskill is at: https://tafensw.edu.au/visitoreconomy
SAFE SHOOTING GRANTS
Shooting organisations have until 23 October to apply for a share of up to $800,000 for capital upgrades.
The NSW Government’s Safe Shooting Program will provide grants of $10,000-$50,000 to ensure modern facilities that are fit-for-purpose, while supporting the next generation of NSW Olympians.
Shooting clubs, shooting ranges and shooting organisations will also be encouraged to increase participation by removing barriers for women and girls, people with disability, First Nations peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and LGBTQIA+ people.
For further information and to apply visit: https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/safe-shooting-program
SPRING SCHOOL HOLIDAY
Some of the Upper Hunter Electorate’s public schools will open the gate to the public during the current spring school holiday.
Scone and Ellerston Public Schools open daily during the Share Our Space program with Gloucester and Stroud Public Schools making the playground available on weekends.
Look for a Share Our Space sign on the school gate displaying a QR code that you can scan to see a list of participating schools or go to: https://edu.nsw.link/ShareOurSpace
The spring school holiday runs until Friday 11 October with Term 4 to commence Monday 14 October and continue until Friday 20 December.
Unless otherwise advised, the NSW Department of Education has school development days for the final term of 2024 scheduled on Thursday 19 December and Friday 20 December, when students will not be required to attend school.
TRACKWORK WEEK
Hunter Line passenger train services will be impacted this week during the Australian Rail Track Corporation’s (ARTC) maintenance program.
The track is closed between Kooragang Island and Muswellbrook, and west to Ulan and north to Narrabri from 6.30am Tuesday 1 October to 6.30am Friday 4 October.
Road coaches replace NSW TrainLink services with Hunter Line trains replaced by buses between Scone and Maitland 4am Tuesday until 7.30am Friday.
Trains between Dungog, Maitland and Newcastle Interchange may run to a changed timetable, then on Tuesday and Wednesday nights from 7.20pm to 4.30am, buses replace all trains between Scone, Dungog and Newcastle Interchange.
Passengers are encouraged to visit https://transportnsw.info or call 13 22 32 for assistance to plan your journey.
Signage and traffic control will be in place at any location where motorists may experience short delays due to crossing works or adjacent corridor works.
Information on road closures and alternative routes can be found at: https://www.livetraffic.com
FORWARD ONE HOUR
Daylight saving will resume on Sunday 6 October at 2am when clocks are turned forward one hour to 3am local daylight time.
Sunrise and sunset will be an hour later on 6 October than the day before when there will be more light in the evening.
Daylight saving ends at 3am Sunday 6 April 2025 when clocks are turned back one hour to local standard time.
Discover more at: www.nsw.gov.au/about-nsw/daylight-saving
The commencement of daylight saving is also time to check that your home has working smoke alarms by testing the devices and, if necessary, installing a fresh battery.
Free Home Fire Safety Visits are available for Seniors by contacting your local fire station to
book a fire safety inspection or visit: www.fire.nsw.gov.au
FIRE PERMITS COMMENCE
The statutory Bush Fire Danger Period begins on Tuesday 1 October and continues until 31 March.
If you plan to light a fire in the open during this time, you will need a Fire Permit.
Also depending on the type of fire, a permit may be required all year round especially if a fire is likely to be dangerous to a building.
If your property is in a Rural Fire District apply for a permit online from the RFS or if the property is located in a Fire and Rescue district apply via the Fire and Rescue website.
You can find out if permits are required, have any questions or need assistance by contacting your local RFS Fire Control Centre.
Call the Hunter Valley office 6575 1200, Liverpool Range on 6746 5800, Lower Hunter office 4015 0000 and Gloucester/Great Lakes 6539 7700.
RACING NSW RECRUITS
Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are open until Tuesday 8 October from people wanting to be considered for appointment as a member of Racing NSW.
Candidates who possess experience across a range of fields and have an appreciation of the issues affecting the thoroughbred racing industry are encouraged to apply.
Candidates will be required to complete a comprehensive probity assessment to be eligible for appointment and should also familiarise themselves with the requirements of the Racing NSW Board Code of Conduct.
A candidate information pack is available on iwork.nsw.gov.au with applicants to submit an up-to-date CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience via email to racing.admin@racing.nsw.gov.au with the subject line of “Racing NSW Appointment”.
SMALL BUSINESS MONTH
October is NSW Small Business Month with a packed program of events tailored to assist small business operators.
The events will cover topics including AI for business, financial management, import/export strategies, protecting creative assets and more.
NSW Small Business Month Expos are scheduled for Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo on Wednesday 9 October, 1–7pm and Newcastle City Hall Thursday 31 October, 1– 7pm.
The Expos offer expert speakers, advice on key issues for business and excellent networking opportunities all in one place.
To explore the full program and secure your tickets visit: www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au
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