State Matters - 8 September 2025
- Dave Layzell MP
- 13 minutes ago
- 5 min read
GRANT BACKFLIP
SERVICE NSW is taking applications from a group of Hunter and Mid North Coast farmers who were denied disaster assistance payments for the May flood event.
The farmers were deemed ineligible for the Primary Producer Grant and the Small Business Recovery Grant under the joint federal-state disaster recovery arrangements.
The NSW Government has now decided to update the eligibility criteria and remove a clause which previously excluded farming enterprises.
Eligible applicants will receive a small business grant fully funded by the state government following the review prompted by Regional Recovery Coordinator, Dave Owens.
Further details from Service NSW by calling 13 77 88 or go to: www.service.nsw.gov.au
SPRING DUST BUST
Upper Hunter mines are again on notice to protect local air quality with the annual Bust the Dust campaign underway for Spring 2025.
During the campaign, Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Operations Officers will be out in force doing roadside surveillance, unannounced inspections and using drones to monitor dust generation.
Mines found to be in breach of licence conditions now face significantly higher penalties, including $30,000 for a first offence and $45,000 for a subsequent offence.
While the EPA regulate dust emissions year-round, regional air quality monitoring shows spring is a peak time for particle pollution: www.airquality.nsw.gov.au/air-quality-in-my-area/concentration-data or www.airquality.nsw.gov.au/upper-hunter
The Bust the Dust campaign is a timely reminder for operators to have the right practices in place by deploying water on stockpiles and roads or ceasing work during dry and windy conditions.
Local residents are encouraged to report concerns about dust emissions to the Environment Line 131 555 or via email at info@epa.nsw.gov.au
NEW ENGLAND ROADWORK
Motorists are being advised several night roadwork jobs are being undertaken on the New England Highway at Muswellbrook and Singleton from this week.
Maintenance is being carried out from Monday 8 September to Wednesday 10 September, between 6pm and 6am on the highway between Bell Street and Lorne Street, Muswellbrook.
Transport for NSW aims to avoid impact to the local community and the environment by reducing noise as much as possible and turning off equipment and vehicles when not in use.
Upcoming traffic lights maintenance at the intersection of the New England Highway and York Street / Boundary Street, Singleton is scheduled for the week commencing Tuesday 16 September, 7pm to 5am, and is expected to be completed in one night, weather permitting.
Motorists are asked to follow the directions of traffic controllers and signage, comply with lane closures and a 40km/h speed limit during works hours.
For traffic updates call 132 701, visit www.livetraffic.com or check the Live Traffic NSW app.
REHOMING GRANTS
Animal rehoming organisations can apply now for a share of the NSW Government’s $6 million funding injection to help vulnerable cats and dogs.
The Companion Animal Welfare and Rehoming Grant program will provide between $10,000 and $100,000 to eligible rehoming organisations and registered charities based in NSW.
The grant program will see $1.5 million a year available per year for four years to help organisations cover the costs associated with caring and rehoming companion animals.
Since 2020-21, on average these organisations have received more than 10,000 animals per year.
The support comes as the government undertakes the first review of the Companion Animals Act in over 20 years to examine all aspects of the care and management of pet dogs and cats, including ways to minimise the number of animals entering the rehoming system.
Applications for the first round of the grant program close Wednesday, 1 October, with information on the Office of Local Government website:
CHANGES AHEAD
Wine and spirit bottles and larger drink containers are set to be accepted into an expanded NSW container deposit scheme.
The expansion of both the NSW and South Australian programs by late-2027 also includes cordials and juice concentrate containers and larger containers of up to three litres of beverages already in the scheme, such as flavoured milk, fruit and vegetable juice.
Plain milk and health tonic containers will continue to be excluded from the schemes.
Return and Earners are encouraged not to take wine bottles to the local refund machines just yet.
The NSW Government wants to work with industry to ensure a smooth transition giving the wine and spirits industry time to adjust and allowing collection points and systems to ramp up for the additional new containers by mid-2027.
COFFEE WITH COPS DATE
Motorbike riders have a date for Coffee with the Cops at Putty on Sunday 21 September.
Local Highway Patrol and Transport for NSW will be at Grey Gum Cafe to chat road safety, share handy route maps – and shout free coffee.
It's being described as a ride on ‘The Putty’ for a caffeine hit and a safety tip – all on the house.
Singleton Council, Muswellbrook Shire Council and Upper Hunter Shire Council are supporting Transport and NSW Police to hold the event.
SPRING INTO THE ACTION
Winter hibernation across the Upper Hunter will certainly come to an end this weekend when the Cassilis Rodeo takes centre stage on Saturday.
The action launches from 9am and the main event will be under lights from 5pm with both cowgirls and cowboys taking to the dirt arena.
Merriwa Springtime Show is next stop from 7am on Friday 19 September, with a bumper line-up of events over the three days including campdraft, dog high jump and a Sunday horse program.
And, Singleton Show welcomes the crowds over three days from Friday 26 September featuring the Australian Wife Carrying Titles, working dog trials and fireworks.
VICTIM NOTIFICATION
Victim-survivors of serious offenders will receive mandatory notifications about NSW Victims’ Registers, including the information and services they can receive if they chose to register.
The reforms apply to the three NSW Victims’ Registers: the Corrective Services NSW Victims’ Register, Youth Justice Victims’ Register and the Specialist Victims’ Register for victims of forensic patients.
All eligible victims will now receive a notification about the Register and their eligibility to opt-in, or the option to be contacted at a later date to discuss whether they would like to be registered.
Those who opt-in will receive timely, accurate, and trauma-informed updates including details about the offender's location while in custody, sentence, location while in custody, parole eligibility, and any changes that may affect the victim's safety and well-being.
Education on the Registers will also be provided to frontline professionals across the justice system, including NSW Police, the NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and other relevant service providers.
FISH RESTOCKING
Glenbawn Dam, Scone and Lake St Clair, Singleton will receive Australian bass as part of the NSW Government’s native fish stocking program.
Community groups have received $62,000 to release the fish into seven rivers and dams across NSW with up to 260,000 Australian Bass to stock the waterways from this October under the program.
Anglers are reminded that a strict bag limit of two and possession limit of four applies to Australian Bass and Estuary Perch, either for a single species or a combination of both species, and only one fish is permitted to be over 35cm in length when fishing in rivers.
For information about freshwater fishing rules:
COMING SOON!
Spring has sprung, the September show season is almost upon us and a long weekend in only weeks away.
Yes, Daylight Saving is set to begin during that long weekend at 2am on Sunday 5 October, when clocks are moved forward by one hour to 3am.
Changing your clocks can affect sleep and daily routine with the NSW Government offering a few tips to help you adjust more easily.
Gradual bedtime changes like adjusting your bedtime by 15 minutes each night before the change to help your body transition smoothly.
Then, stay consistent by keeping your sleep schedule consistent to avoid disruption.
Also, maximise morning light by going outside in the morning to help reset your body clock.
The 2025-26 Daylight Saving period ends at 3am, Sunday 5 April 2026, when clocks move back one hour: www.nsw.gov.au/about-nsw/daylight-saving
Contact:
Email address: upperhunter@parliament.nsw.gov.au;
New Address: 94 John Street Singleton 2330
Postal Address: PO Box 60 Singleton NSW 2330
Ph: 6543 1065
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