State Matters - 7 July 2025
- Dave Layzell MP
- 6 days ago
- 7 min read
SPECIAL DISASTER GRANT
THE NSW Nationals and Liberals have acknowledged the long overdue announcement late last week of $75,000 in Category D funding for primary producers across the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions.
Announced almost seven weeks to the day after the flood event started, the latest assistance will bring some relief but the Coalition continues to call for $50,000 Category D funding to be made available for businesses.
Support is available to primary producers in declared disaster areas under AGRN 1212, covering regions impacted by the East Coast flooding in May including the council areas of Cessnock, Dungog, Maitland, MidCoast, Muswellbrook, Singleton and Upper Hunter.
Eligible primary producers can apply for grants of up to $75,000 to assist with clean-up and debris removal, repairing damaged infrastructure and equipment, restocking and replanting, replacing lost or damaged assets and restoring operations to pre-disaster levels.
An initial $5,000 can be accessed by providing photographic evidence of direct damage, with the remaining funds available once valid tax invoices and proof of payment are submitted and verified.
Applications are open until 4 December with more information on the NSW Rural Assistance Authority website: www.raa.nsw.gov.au
CLARENCE TOWN BRIDGEWORK
Motorists are advised to plan their trip with Transport for NSW to carry out essential maintenance and safety improvement work on Brig O’Johnston Bridge, Clarence Town
The historic bridge will be closed temporarily, with a detour in place Wednesday to Friday, 9-11 July between 9am and 3pm, weather permitting.
A detour for all vehicles is available via Clarence Town Road, Italia Road, the Pacific Highway and The Bucketts Way, which is expected to add up to 50 minutes travel time.
Motorists cannot use East Seaham Road between Italia and Limeburners Creek roads as the road is closed at East Seaham due to council roadwork, and a 20-tonne load limit is on Glen Martin Road, Glen William due to structural issues with an existing culvert.
Pedestrians will not be able to use the bridge while it is closed.
For the latest traffic updates call 132 701, visit www.livetraffic.com or download the app Live Traffic NSW
BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION
One of the largest infrastructure projects ever seen in Dungog shire has commenced with
construction work now underway on the new Clarence Town Bridge.
Once completed, the new crossing will be a dual-lane structure approximately 135 metres in length and 14.4 metres wide which includes a pedestrian walkway, upgraded road approaches and approach footpaths.
The NSW Government is contributing $11 million toward the $20.58 million required to build the new bridge forecast for completion late next year.
During construction, traffic flow on Durham Street and Limeburners Creek Road will be affected, with speed limits reduced to 40km/h and traffic limited to one lane at times.
Earthworks have begun on the Clarence Town side of the project with piling works underway on the Limeburners Creek Road side.
Dungog Shire Council expects the earthworks to cause some noise during business hours.
CHECK SPEED OR COP IT!
Hunter Valley Police District has posed a question on social media to the thousands of motorists using the New England Highway.
What has a white background, a red circle, a number displayed inside the circle and is found beside the road?
The answer – ‘This is a speed limit sign’.
NSW Police Force Traffic and Highway Patrol Command is concerned road users may have missed that there are a few of these signs on the highway between Singleton and Muswellbrook.
They remind motorists that speed limit signs show the maximum speed you can drive in good conditions and that you should slow down in poor conditions like rain, hail and when driving towards sunshine at dawn and dusk.
Road users must also ensure that they always observe the posted speed limit for the road as displayed on the sign.
So, don’t rush and arrive in one piece because the choice is to ‘stop it or cop it’ – see the social media post at: www.facebook.com/HunterValleyPD
TOBACCO LICENCE
Retailers and wholesalers who want to sell tobacco, or non-tobacco smoking products, must now apply for a licence as part of the NSW Government’s Tobacco Licensing Scheme.
Businesses can apply for a licence online using their MyServiceNSW account via the Service NSW website.
Applicants are required to complete an online application, provide a criminal records check and pay the yearly licence fee with retailers then required to display the licence at the point of sale.
Businesses can get support to submit their licence application by calling the Tobacco Information Line on 1800 357 412.
The new scheme will give retailers and wholesalers a grace period until 1 October to apply for a licence.
In NSW, vaping goods can only be purchased from pharmacies making it illegal for all other retailers to sell any type of vaping good, regardless of its nicotine content.
Pharmacies do not need a tobacco licence to sell vaping goods.
More information on the Tobacco Licensing Scheme including licence applications check the NSW Health website: www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/tobacco-licensing.aspx
‘UPPER HUNTER’ – THE BRAND
The Upper Hunter Country Brand has been unveiled at Scone as the Upper Hunter makes its boldest pitch yet as a destination.
Funding from the former NSW Nationals and Liberals Government’s Resources for Regions program has covered Upper Hunter Shire Council’s $229,800 contribution, with a further $100,000 invested by Muswellbrook Shire Council.
The Upper Hunter Region Brand is more than a logo or slogan, it’s a place-based identity,
which tells the story of real country - where nothing is for show and everything connects to a way of life.
Businesses can use a little or a lot of the brand, from logo and colours to the full package of visuals and distinct voice, which will only grow as more Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter businesses and events adopt it.
EXCHANGE PROGRAM
The NSW Government is subsidising eligible low-income households to upgrade their inefficient top-loading washing machine to a water and energy efficient front-loading model.
Applications are now open online for all Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs-issued concession card holders with eligible applicants including pensioners, veterans and social housing tenants.
Up to 8,000 eligible NSW households can get a brand-new washing machine for $250, thanks to the program to help low-income households with cost-of-living pressures, including water and energy bills.
Applicants must first check that their laundry space can house the washing machine, which is 850mm high, 600mm wide and 660mm deep.
Successful applicants will have five days to make the payment of $250 including GST for the front load machine, delivery, installation, and a two-year warranty.
To apply and check eligibility visit the Washing Machine Exchange Program:
WATER ROUNDUP
The Water Group of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water holds its next Water Engagement Roundup on Wednesday 16 July at 11am.
How NSW water allocation is managed is the topic and it will include confirmation of the opening water allocations for the 2025-26 year and show where to look for allocation related information.
For more on how to register for the Roundup go to: https://water.dpie.nsw.gov.au/have-your-say/community/round-up
Then, on Thursday 17 July, you can share your feedback on the review of the Dams Safety Act 2015.
This review will check if the Act's policy objectives are still valid and if its terms, the words and phrases in the Act, are suitable for achieving those objectives.
The department has prepared an issues paper for the review with owners of declared dams and interested stakeholders invited to participate in an online survey.
To learn more about the review and attend the webinar with Water Group staff on 17 July,
1-2pm, register at: https://water.dpie.nsw.gov.au/about-us/legislation-and-policies/acts-and-regulations/dams-safety-act-review
FESTIVAL UPDATE
Regional applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for the NSW Seniors Festival Grant Program with $200,000 funding to provide community events and activities during the two-week event in March 2026.
Local councils and incorporated not-for-profit organisation including Indigenous Corporations, local Aboriginal Land Councils, registered charities or religious organisations are invited to apply.
There are two funding categories available with $1,500-$5,000 to host local community programs and activities, and $5,001-$10,000 for applications from local government to host large-scale community and regional programs and activities.
For information about the application process read the Seniors Festival Grant Program Guidelines before 12 August at: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/seniors-festival-grants-program/nsw-seniors-festival-grant-program-2026
FARM CENSUS
Farmers and land managers are encouraged to complete the Local Land Services Annual Land and Stock Return (ALSR) by the end of August.
The farm census provides important information on land use and livestock numbers across the state as at 30 June each year.
It helps Local Land Services (LLS) protect the state’s primary industries from pests, diseases and during emergencies.
LLS recognises in recent months many farmers and land managers have faced significant challenges that have impacted stock levels and it understands the pressure this puts on landholders.
Whether you need practical guidance, answers to your questions or simply a listening ear, assistance or support is available by calling 1300 795 299 or visit your local LLS office.
The online ALSR portal is accessible from: www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/local-land-services/annual-land-and-stock-return or go to: www.lls.nsw.gov.au/i-want-to/lodge-my-annual-land-and-stock-return
CARBON REDUCTION GRANTS
Grants are now available to support landholders in starting carbon reduction projects across large areas of land.
Eligible applicants include farmers, land managers and primary producers working on high-quality carbon abatement projects.
Activities within the scope of this grant program are those that increase carbon storage in vegetation, soils, coastal, or marine areas across all land types as well as reducing emissions from livestock, land use, land use change and forestry.
Applications are being accepted until Thursday, 7 August, for grants up to $500,000 for projects in one large land area and up to $1,000,000 for projects covering two to five large land areas.
The funding supports early-stage project development, helping preparation for future investment and on-ground action.
TIM HONOURED
Applications open this week for a new initiative by the Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF).
The Tim Fischer Fellowship honours The Hon. Tim Fischer AC, CEF’s first Patron, former Deputy Prime Minister, Nationals federal parliamentary leader and lifelong advocate for rural and regional Australia.
For over 30 years, CEF has helped young Australians from rural and regional areas pursue their goals through grants, scholarships, resources and support.
The Tim Fischer Fellowship takes this one step further extending support beyond traditional education pathways empowering individuals to lead change in their communities through bold ideas, exploration and action.
Each year, the Fellowship will offer $50,000 in funding to an individual over 18 who is passionate about creating real impact in rural and regional Australia.
Applications close Sunday 17 August with more information at: https://cef.org.au/Programs/tim-fischer-fellowship/
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