State Matters – A Weekly Bulletin from Dave Layzell MP

Member for Upper Hunter – 2 March 2026

GOOD LUCK, EMMA! – CONGRATULATIONS to Emma Spartalis of Clarence Town, who is a finalist in this year’s NSW/ACT AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.

Emma is founder of Spartalis Consulting, an artificial intelligence and digital capability consultancy helping organisations understand, adopt and apply emerging technologies.

Or, as Emma explains it, she is focussed on reducing operational strain and building practical digital capability, so rural women can lead sustainable, commercially strong businesses without  sacrificing their wellbeing.

Emma and her fellow finalists, Inverell’s Sarah Golding and Kristie Ivone from Albury, will discover who is the 2026 NSW/ACT winner on Wednesday 22 April.

The recipient will go on to represent the state at the national AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award later in the year.

The award celebrates women who are driving change through entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership, while addressing complex social, economic and workforce challenges facing regional  Australia.

More information about the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award is available at: https://agrifutures.com.au/opportunities/rural-womens-award/

REZ CONSTRUCTION COMMENCES – Two new energy hubs will be built at Muswellbrook with construction now officially underway on the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone  (REZ).

The hubs at Sandy Creek and Antiene are part of a works program including upgrades to existing substations and approximately 85km of sub-transmission lines, plus installing 18km of new  underground fibre optic communications cable.

Hunter-Central Coast Network Infrastructure Project is the first REZ project to upgrade existing distribution poles and wires instead of building all new transmission lines.

The network infrastructure project will connect an additional 1.8 GW of new renewable generation and storage projects.

Local businesses are being targeted for contract opportunities via an online directory for the work available across all REZ regions with further details at: https://www.energyco.nsw.gov.au/community/careers-training-business-opportunities

FIREARMS EXEMPTION – The NSW Nationals have welcomed the state government’s announcement that primary producers will be able to apply for more than ten firearms.

Under questioning in Budget Estimates, Police Minister Yasmin Catley was asked if farmers could apply for more than ten firearms for primary production purposes.

Minister Catley clarified that, “if they have a genuine reason, as a business, or other relevant category they need one for, then they are entitled to seek an exemption.”

The NSW Nationals now look forward to holding the police minister to her commitment.

NEW PIPELINE GROUPS – Santos is calling applications for membership of three new Hunter Gas Pipeline (HGP) Community Reference Groups.

The groups will provide a forum for engagement between Santos and local stakeholders on issues directly related to development of the project, including potential impacts, community concerns,  jobs and business opportunities. 

Applications are invited from individuals or groups with with each reference group comprising local landholders, chambers of commerce, industry bodies, local councils and members of the  community.

Membership is voluntary and unpaid, the groups do not have a decision-making or regulatory function and will operate in an advisory and consultative capacity only.

To be considered for membership complete the form on the Santos Hunter Gas Pipeline website by Sunday 29 March: www.huntergaspipeline.com.au/community/ 

SPORTING HEIGHTS – It was great to be part of the recent celebrations for the redevelopment of Singleton’s Alroy Oval Sports Precinct.

The major upgrade is the culmination of the Alroy Oval Masterplan adopted by Singleton Council in 2021, which aims to create a premier recreational sports hub for Singleton Heights.

The $8.17 million project was delivered by a $3 million Australian Government Investing In Our Communities grant, a $2 million NSW Government Level the Playing Field grant and Singleton  Council loan funding.

Level the Playing Field, is the NSW Government’s commitment to remove barriers for women and girls to participate in sport. 

The upgraded precinct has three full-sized irrigated football fields, a modern gender-neutral amenities building, enhanced lighting, new footpaths, and improved parking.

BETTER WASH – Low-income households have the opportunity to upgrade their washing machine through a new round of the popular exchange program which is now open.

The washing machine exchange is part of the NSW Water Efficiency Program's work with communities to improve water efficiency, ensure secure, reliable water sources and to build future  resilience to climate change.

The program subsidises eligible low-income households to upgrade inefficient top-loading washing machine to a water and energy efficient front-loading model to save water and ease the cost of  living.

To be eligible, applicants must have a top loading washing machine to exchange, be a NSW resident, aged over 18, hold a valid Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or Low Income Card  from Centrelink or Department of Veteran Affairs. 

For more on the new round of the exchange program, check: www.water.dcceew.nsw.gov.au/our-work/projects-and-programs/water-efficiency-program/washing-machine-exchange-program

STROKE AWARENESS – The Stroke Foundation is raising awareness this week that strokes can happen at any age including children.

Each year in Australia, up to 120 babies and 400 children experience a stroke – nearly two children every day.

Unlike the classic Face, Arms, Speech, Time (F.A.S.T.) signs in adults, stroke can present differently in children with symptoms such as seizures, extreme sleepiness or loss of balance.

All strokes are a medical emergency, which are time critical, and the patient needs to get to hospital urgently.

March is also ‘The Big Cutback’ with the Stroke Foundation encouraging us to cut back on alcohol or sugar this month for stroke prevention.

Many strokes are preventable, so discover more about The Big Cutback, by going to: https://strokefoundation.org.au

ROAD RULES – NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol Command continues to remind riders and parents of young person about the rules for the use of two-wheeled vehicles. 

This includes that the riding of e-scooters, unregistered petrol or electric motorbikes and unlawful e-bikes upon roads and road related areas such as footpaths, shared paths, cycleways etc is  prohibited.

Fines can add up to in-excess of $3000, with parents of young people also be liable for those fines.

The riding of lawful e-bikes is permitted upon road-related areas by persons under 16 and should be done so in a safe manner.

All members of the public are encouraged to forward images and footage of any breaches of road legislation to Police via the CrimeStoppers portal, or any live information by calling the Police  Assistance Line on 131 444 and CrimeStoppers 1800 333 000.

Parents are urged to check information on the NSW Police website and talk with their children about their obligations when using the machines: www.police.nsw.gov.au/safety_and_prevention/crime_prevention/e-bikes_and_motorised_wheeled_devices

VOLUNTEER AWARDS – If you know someone who deserves to be celebrated for their community service, nominations are now open for the 2026 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.

The awards are an annual program aimed at recognising the incredible dedication, effort and community service of our state’s volunteers, volunteer leaders and volunteer teams. 

Last year, more than 145,000 nominees from over 500 organisations were recognised at Regional and State Ceremonies.

There are seven categories which will recognise the Young Volunteer, Adult Volunteer, Senior Volunteer, Volunteer Team, Emergency Volunteer and Volunteer Leader of the Year, and the Not-for- Profit Voluntary Governance Award.

All nominators are required to read the Awards Nominator Guidelines prior to submitting a nomination before Friday 29 May.

Organisations wanting to submit more than 20 nominations, are asked to contact the Awards Team via: award@volunteering.com.au to receive the Bulk Nomination spreadsheets.

To learn more about the Awards, including nomination guidelines, Tips for Nominating and more, visit the awards page: www.volunteering.com.au/awards/about-the-awards/

FIVE MORE WEEKS! – A new month and a new season – hopefully, some autumnal weather with soon arrive for this month’s local shows at Gresford, Gloucester and Upper Hunter at  Muswellbrook Showground. 

Even thought sunrise in getting later in the morning and sunset earlier in the evening, daylight saving still has another five weeks to run.

Daylight saving for summer 2025-26 will end on Sunday 5 April at 3am, when clocks are turned back one hour to 2am restoring more daylight to the mornings.

Discover more about daylight saving in NSW including the all important changes to clocks: www.nsw.gov.au/about-nsw/daylight-saving

VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS – The Parent and Citizens (P&C) Federation of NSW is asking the community to be its eyes and ears after the Department of Education announced changes to  the Voluntary Contributions policy.

In many schools, parents have become used to receiving formal requests from the school to pay for a whole range of things, while officially ‘voluntary’, many parents have felt pressured to pay.

The Federation has been concerned that some of these requests are things that schools should routinely pay for out of their budgets.

A parliamentary committee confirmed in 2024, the NSW Department of Education collected $30.7 million in voluntary contributions from parents with a further $43.5 million for school sport  contributions and a separate $40.8 million for special subject contributions. 

This does not include financial contributions made by P&Cs to their school.

From this year an updated set of rules apply to what schools may or may not ask parents and carers to contribute to.

You can read them on the Department of Education website: https://education.nsw.gov.au/about-us/strategies-and-reports/schools-funding/voluntary-school-contributions or at: www.pandc.org.au/news/changes-to-voluntary-contributions-policy-for-the-2026-school-year/

COMMUNITY GRANTS – Essential Energy and Telstra are currently taking applications for their community grants programs.

Essential Energy Community Grants provide up to $15,000 for community-based initiatives supporting the environment, resilience or related to the energy transition.

Eligible groups include not-for-profit organisations, charities and community groups located within Essential Energy’s network area with nominations to close on Tuesday, 31 March: www.essentialenergy.com.au/essentialgrants 

The 2026 Telstra Connected Communities Grant Program is delivered in partnership with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR).

Grants of up to $10,000 are available to eligible not for profit organisations to support projects that help build strong, connected and future ready communities.

Projects should align with one or more of the program’s three key themes of resilient communities, sustainable communities and liveable communities.

Applications close Thursday 26 March with successful applicants announced in June for projects to be delivery in the 12 months to June 2027.

For full eligibility details and to apply, click on: www.telstra.com.au/exchange/telstra- connected-communities-grants

ON YOUR BIKES! – Cassilis will be the location for cyclists to be back in the saddle and pedalling this weekend, 7–8 March, with the Giro de Cassilis touring the Upper Hunter countryside.

Giro is a not-for-profit event with proceeds going towards vital Cassilis community organisations including Cassilis Public School, Cassilis Brigade of NSW RFS and Merriwa River Rural Fire  Services, Merriwa Volunteer Rescue Association and Cassilis District Development Group.

Saturday, 7 March, is the Cassilis Triple Crown, which covers 87km north out of Cassilis then features three moderate climbs and sweeping views across the Great Dividing Range.

Then Sunday, 8 March, 'The Bambino', a family friendly addition to the program will be christened, whilst also sending the field of the Giro de Cassilis on the 48.4km trek through the  rolling hills surrounding Cassilis.

Whether you are chasing climbs, cruising country roads or taking the whole family along, there is a ride to suit, for full details and to register, head to: www.girodecassilis.org

Next assignment for cyclists is the Singleton Mailrun Charity Bike Ride on 12 April starting and finishing at the Singleton Civic Centre.

For more on the Mailrun Charity Bike Ride, check: www.themailrun.org

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
www.davelayzell.com.au/news/categories/state-matters

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