REZ INFORMATION
ENERGYCO will hold information sessions at Muswellbrook and Murrurundi after releasing an update on the New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) network infrastructure project.
A scoping report has been lodged with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure which can be viewed on the NSW Major Projects Planning website.
The report includes a preferred one-kilometre-wide study corridor for the REZ network infrastructure which has been developed following ongoing consultation and field investigations since June last year.
Community drop-in sessions are planned for UON Upper Hunter at Muswellbrook Tertiary Education Centre on Tuesday 27 August, 3.30-6.30pm, and Murrurundi CWA on Wednesday 28 August, 3.30-6.30pm.
You can find the latest project information at: www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/new-england-rez-transmission-project and www.energyco.nsw.gov.au/ne
UPPER HOUSE INQUIRY
The Upper House committee for regional New South Wales has established an inquiry into the impact of Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) on rural and regional communities and industries.
Portfolio Committee No. 4 will examine the impacts of REZs and large-scale renewable projects proposed for these zones, including factors such as potential fire risk, socioeconomic benefits, and effects on agricultural production, tourism and the environment.
Individual contributors can complete the committee's online questionnaire which will be available soon rather than make a formal submission.
The closing date for the questionnaire is 31 January 2025.
Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference, are available on the inquiry website: www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/inquiries/pages/inquiries.aspx
NIGHT DRIVE ARRIVES
Friday 13 September will be a milestone night for road safety in the Upper Hunter electorate with the launch of Hunter Learner Night Drive.
I commend Upper Hunter Shire, Muswellbrook Shire, and Singleton Councils for their collaboration with Hunter Valley Police District and the officers of the Hunter Valley Highway Patrol.
Scone Memorial Airport is the venue for this free and vitally important event offering Learner drivers a safe learning environment for driving on country roads.
Limited spots are available for Learner drivers of any age accompanied by a supervisor aged over 25 - a Learner’s Licence and the supervisor’s Unrestricted Driver Licence are required to attend the session.
Check the Upper Hunter Shire, Muswellbrook Shire, and Singleton Council social media pages for booking details.
PORTABLE RENTAL BONDS
The Rental Commissioner has been tasked by the NSW Government to develop and deliver the nation’s first Portable Rental Bonds Scheme.
$6.6 million is being invested in the development, which is currently out to public tender, to upgrade the existing rental bonds system with the work expected to be completed next year.
The Portable Rental Bonds Scheme will make it easier for renters when moving by allowing eligible tenants to digitally transfer their existing bond to their new rental home.
The government is also proposing rental laws reforms to end no-grounds evictions which will require homeowners to have a reason to end a tenancy for both periodic and fixed term leases.
Reasons include the existing rules where the renter is at fault, where the property is being sold or offered for sale with vacant possession, where significant repairs/renovations make inhabiting the property too difficult or if the property will no longer be used as a rental home.
OLD TYRES
Singleton Council will accept old tyres for free on Saturday 17 August at the Singleton Waste Management Facility.
Proof of residency is required to drop-off up to four motorbike, car, 4WD or light truck tyres per household at the Dyrring Road facility between 10am and 2pm.
Tyres from trucks, tractors and earthmoving vehicles are not included in the collection.
Singleton Council says the program does have an environment benefit with 82 per cent of each tyre dropped off recycled in a range of ways from road production, playground and sporting surfaces, civil infrastructure and engineering projects.
Discover more at: www.singleton.nsw.gov.au/Live/Residents/Waste-and-Recycling/Singleton-Waste-Management-Facility
SLOW DOWN!
NSW Police Force Traffic and Highway Patrol Command is asking motorists to slow down when emergency vehicles are on the roadside.
The law came into effect after a 2018 trial making it an offence where the speed limit is 80km/h-or-less to exceed 40km/h if you are driving past an emergency vehicle that is stationary on the side of a NSW road.
Police have recently noticed that it has become reasonably common for this law to be ignored by a large number of drivers.
In addition to emergency services, the reduced speed limit covers Transport for NSW vehicles, a tow truck engaged in a breakdown/collision and a motor vehicle breakdown service such as NRMA roadside assistance.
The rule applies to vehicles and employees on the side of a road where either a red and blue or yellow flashing light is being displayed at the time.
Currently, the penalty for this offence is $544 and three demerit points.
For speed limits of 90km/h or more, you must slow down safely to a speed reasonable for the circumstances, leave enough space between your vehicle and the stationary vehicle with flashing lights and change lanes, if it is safe to do so.
For further advice: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/topics-tips/emergency-vehicles
MORE APPRENTICESHIPS
Additional apprentices and trainees will be hired by the local government sector in the NSW Government’s largest investment in recent memory to directly employ new apprentices.
The $252.2 million investment to employ 1,300 workers will train up the next generation of skilled labour to reverse the trend of councils outsourcing jobs to contractors.
The direct investment will go towards hiring new roles created by councils above their current workforce numbers with the new roles to focus on in-demand trades including electricians, plumbers, engineers, civil construction workers, mechanics and planning cadets.
Guidelines are being developed for councils with the first batch of apprentices and trainees to start their new careers early next year.
VETERAN WORKFORCE
Veterans are transitioning into roles in the public service ahead of the NSW Government’s target according to latest employment figures.
Since October 2022, there have been 773 veterans hired including 239 veterans in the last six months joining various departments including Education, Communities and Justice, and Health.
The Veterans Employment Program managed by the NSW Office for Veterans Affairs is currently on track to secure 2,000 jobs for veterans by December 2026.
Fourteen councils have created veterans’ employment programs with Cessnock City Council, Port Stephens Council, Lake Macquarie City and City of Newcastle beneficiaries of veterans’ skills and experiences.
FARM PLANNING
Hunter Local Land Services is holding a Farm Business Boot Camp at Cassilis on Friday 16 August to inspire and rejuvenate farm planning.
Whether you are growing grain or grazing livestock, the event is designed to challenge your thinking with a cracking line up of expert speakers.
The LLS has also teamed up with NSW Department of Primary Industries to connect farmers with tools and resources to plan for extreme weather and manage natural disasters.
‘Managing drought, fire and flood’ - A guide for NSW primary producers includes practical information on feeding livestock, farm management and sustainable practices around soils, pastures, cropping and natural resources.
For more information on the Cassilis Farm Boot Camp go to: www.lls.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/events/h-events/farm-business-boot-camp
And, to plan for extreme weather visit: www.droughthub.nsw.gov.au/planning/managing-drought-resources
FIREARMS STORAGE
Finally, a reminder from the NSW Police Force Rural Crime Prevention Team about firearms storage.
Do you know that you must store your firearm in an inhabited dwelling - a home or a principal place of residence – otherwise, additional safe storage has to be in place?
An uninhabited dwelling, located on a hobby or secondary farm, will need additional safe storage.
The premises require an intruder alarm and duress facilities monitored off-site including via ‘smart’ technology, a safe fitted with an alarm with off-site monitoring including via ‘smart’ technology as well as the firearms being secured individually in the safe and fitted with trigger or barrel lock.
Firearms legislation sets out firearms owner’s responsibilities, so read the fact sheet at: www.police.nsw.gov.au/online_services/firearms/safe_storage
Comments