State Matters - 5 May 2025

NEW OFFICERS ARRIVE

POLICE DISTRICTS in the Upper Hunter Electorate have received nine recruits from the latest graduation at the NSW Police Academy.

Class 365 attested last week with the new Probationary Constables starting work across NSW from Monday 5 May.

The Northern Region secured 45 of the 302 new officers with Hunter Valley Police District allocated six, three to Port Stephens-Hunter PD and two for the neighbouring Manning-Great Lakes PD.

Graduates have successfully completed eight months in the Constable Education Program, which comprises four months of distance education and four months of rigorous, hands-on training at the Goulburn Academy.

The recruits are now beginning 12 months on-the-job training and study having taken up the incredibly challenging but rewarding responsibility of serving and protecting the people of NSW.

MT THORLEY MOBILE UPGRADE

Telstra is advising mobile telephone customers that services will be temporarily affected during upgrade works on its mobile base station servicing Mount Thorley, south of Singleton.

The site needs to be switched off between Friday 9 May and Monday 12 May, then intermittently Tuesday 13 May until Friday 16 May.

Landline services, NBN internet services and mobile coverage from other providers will not be impacted.

Telstra mobile customers will receive texts advising of the upcoming work to improve the 4G and 5G user experience.

Telstra customers can continue to make calls and send texts during the disruption to mobile services by switching on Wi-Fi Calling.

Business owners are encouraged to talk to their bank about connecting their EFTPOS terminals to their NBN or Wi-Fi connection to prevent delays in processing transactions.

For updates on the outage visit: https://www.telstra.com.au/outages 

BRIDGE UPDATES

Dungog Shire Council expects to seek a construction partner for the replacement of the Gresford suspension bridge in coming weeks.

The NSW and Australian Governments last year agreed to replace the bridge which connects Gresford to an isolated community on the western side of the Paterson River.

Council has advocated for the replacement bridge which will be a raised concrete structure that provides better access to emergency vehicles and larger commercial vehicles.

The project is expected to cost an estimated $3.7 million to design and construct the new crossing of the Paterson River at Gresford.

Meantime, establishment of a site hardstand area on the northern side of the Brig O’Johnston Bridge will allow for pre-construction works on the new Clarence Town Bridge.

There may be some disruption to traffic flow with traffic control measures in place and the speed limit reduced to 40km/hour.

ELDERSLIE BRIDGEWORK

Motorists who use Elderslie Road, Branxton are advised of maintenance work on Elderslie Bridge from Monday 12 May.

Work is scheduled Monday to Thursday, 7am-4pm, and is expected to be completed in six weeks, weather permitting.

Motorists should allow up to five minutes extra travel time during the work due to temporary lane closures and reduced speed limits of 40km/h.

Additionally, please keep to speed limits and follow the direction of traffic controllers and signs.

For the latest traffic updates check Live Traffic NSW www.livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

HEART WEEK

The Heart Foundation wants the community to start a conversation this week about heart health.

"Never Miss a Beat" is the theme for Heart Week 2025 encouraging every Australian to know their risk and protect their heart.

Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of death in NSW, but is often preventable with early action.

Everyone eligible to book a Medicare-subsidised Heart Health Check through their GP is encouraged to take the simple 20-minute assessment which can help identify your risk and guide you on how to manage it effectively.

You can also get moving with the Heart Foundation Walking Program or try delicious heart-healthy recipes available at: www.heartfoundation.org.au

TEACH YOUR TRADE

Upper Hunter tradespeople are being asked to consider turning their industry experience, passion and expertise into a new career.

TAFE NSW is giving ‘tradies’ the opportunity to earn while they learn to become a teacher.

Applications are now being taken for the TAFE NSW Paid to Learn Program, to become a qualified TAFE NSW teacher in just 14 weeks.

You will get paid the equivalent of a fulltime teacher's salary whilst completing your Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40122).

Teaching positions are now available in Electrical Trades, Fitting and Machining, Plumbing, Refrigeration, Automotive Electrical, Agriculture, Counselling, Allied Health and Community Services as well as many more industries.

Explore a career change at: https://careers.tafensw.edu.au/become-a-teacher

RETAIL REMINDER

Shoppers are reminded to behave respectfully after new figures revealed tough laws to help protect retail workers have already resulted in more than 100 people being charged.

Since the implementation of the Crimes Legislation Amendment in June 2023,136 individuals have been charged with offences under the Act, 64 individuals convicted of an offence and 25 individuals have received a custodial imprisonment sentence.

The new laws make it an offence to assault, throw a missile at, stalk, harass or intimidate, wound or cause grievous bodily harm to a retail worker in the course of the worker’s duty.

Workers’ compensation data for the past three years shows most claims in the retail sector are made by sales assistants at fuel retailers, supermarkets and retail department stores – and around 60 per cent are made by female workers.

Every worker has a right to go to work and come home safely, and customers need to remember to maintain appropriate behaviour when interacting with retail workers, have a little patience and understanding.

Anyone can anonymously report an incident of violence in the workplace by calling SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50 or through the Speak Up Save Lives app: www.safework.nsw.gov.au/advice-and-resources/speak-up-app

For more information on safety in the retail sector, visit the SafeWork website: www.safework.nsw.gov.au/your-industry/retail-trade

HOUSING GRANT

Singleton has become the latest Upper Hunter electorate council to secure a grant from the NSW Government’s Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund.

Singleton Council will access $120,671 from round three for a planning control review to accelerate and unlock housing such as new urban release areas resilient to natural hazards.

Round 2 provided $135,909 for Muswellbrook Shire Council for a Local Housing Strategy and Dungog Shire Council received $170,000 for the Clarence Town Structure Plan to facilitate future growth.

The initial round provided $226,219 to MidCoast Council to update the Local Environment Plan and development control plans to implement the MidCoast Housing Strategy.

The state government set new housing targets last year with regional NSW receiving a single target of 55,000 homes over five years.

UPPER HUNTER – THE BRAND!

Upper Hunter and Muswellbrook councils have endorsed the Upper Hunter Region Place Brand to promote the Upper Hunter Region as a destination.

The project was delivered with funding from the former NSW Nationals and Liberals Government’s Resources for Regions program, which provided Upper Hunter Shire Council’s contribution of $229,800, with Muswellbrook Shire Council chipping in a further $100,000.

The Upper Hunter Place Brand has already been endorsed by Upper Hunter Country Tourism with the Aberdeen Highland Games to use it to promote this year’s event. 

The bold new pitch to sell the Upper Hunter Region as a destination in its own right is expected to encourage new investment, tourism and awareness – plus, the brand will be available for all businesses to use.

A staged implementation plan is currently being developed with the brand set to be rolled out over the coming months. 

TOURISM AWARDS

Entries for the 2025 NSW Tourism Awards are now open with visitor economy operators invited to showcase their enterprise.

The awards, delivered by the NSW Tourism Association, recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of the state’s tourism industry and form part of the prestigious Australian Tourism Awards.

With 30 business categories there is a category for tourism businesses of all shapes and sizes including tourist attractions, tour and transport, festivals and events, food, wine, accommodation and more.

This year’s program features a streamlined entry process and a guided format to help entrants present their achievements.

Nominations close on 13 June with winners announced at a Gala Awards Ceremony in late November: https://nswtourismassociation.com.au/nsw-tourism-awards

CESSNOCK INFO SESSION

Cessnock will be a venue for one of the NSW Government’s Regional Aboriginal Partnerships and Outcomes Gather and Grow events.

The free information sessions bring Aboriginal businesses and industry together to connect and learn about supply chain and employment opportunities on major NSW Government regional projects.

Rydges Hunter Valley hosts the Cessnock event on Tuesday 15 July, 10am-1pm, with

registration opening next month to all interested people and organisations.

The Gather and Grow regional series is being held in collaboration with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

For more on Gather and Grow visit: www.info.buy.nsw.gov.au/news/2025/aboriginal-businesses-gather-and-grow-events

ARK ACHIEVEMENT

Aussie Ark has achieved a nationally and globally significant outcome with the koalas residing in the Barrington Tops Wildlife Sanctuary.

Aussie Ark, Ecosure and Endeavour Veterinary Ecology (EVE) began their journey in November last year, when the team captured and vet checked the eight koalas living ‘wild’ in the sanctuary.

All koalas were recently recaptured and retested to affirm all the animals were still chlamydia-free with the highly infectious disease having a devastating impact resulting in blindness, infertility and even death.

The program is now a blueprint for koala management nationwide, with the Sanctuary's cohort considered one of most genetically viable and valuable in Australia.

Discover more about Gerbert, Blue, Manna, Scribbs, Flora, Grevillea, Banksia and Gymea, who reside in the 400-hectare Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary by visiting: www.facebook.com/AussieArk