State Matters – A Weekly Bulletin from Dave Layzell MP

Member for Upper Hunter – 18 May 2026

CHANGE COMING – MUCH ANTICIPATED since Liddell powered down in April 2023, the power station’s most prominent feature on the Upper Hunter horizon is scheduled to be removed  next week.

AGL has announced the controlled demolition of the Liddell Power Station chimney stacks, built more than half a century ago, is planned for Tuesday 26 May, weather permitting.

For public safety there will be no viewing area and temporary road closures will be in place around the site on the day: www.livetraffic.com/incident-details/273288

The public is asked to go online and view a livestream of the demolition with further information at: www.agl.com.au/about-agl/operations/agl-in-the-hunter

Enquiries can be made by calling 1800 039 600 or email: AGLCommunity@agl.com.au

MOBILE UPGRADE – Telstra mobile customers can expect temporarily disruptions next week while the mobile base station that services Denman is upgraded.

The 4G improvements will commence on site from Monday 25 May for a period of 12 days with the site to be switched off for periods of up to 72 hours to safely complete the work.

Telstra mobile customers will receive an SMS advising of the upcoming temporarily disruptions, however, they will not impact NBN, Satellite internet services, PSTN landline services, or mobile  coverage from other providers. 

Any calls to Triple Zero from a Telstra mobile when the site is off air will automatically connect to another mobile network if available for connection to emergency services.

For more information and tips on how to prepare, visit Telstra mobile outages: www.telstra.com.au/support/outage-advice

MINING REGULATION – A proposal to make the Mining Amendment (Mine Rehabilitation) Regulation 2026 is currently out for public comment.

NSW Resources is seeking feedback on the proposed regulation which will vary the standard conditions of mining leases prescribed in Schedule 8A of the Mining Regulation 2016. 

Changes proposed to the standard conditions include amending the definition of ‘large mine’ and clarifying requirements for the provision of forward programs, rehabilitation reports and rehabilitation completion statements.

It would also enable publication of a summary of a rehabilitation cost estimate (RCE) with a forward program rather than the full RCE.

The proposed Regulation responds to the Audit Office of NSW’s recommendation that NSW Resources develop clear policies and procedures to ensure that a mine cannot suspend operations  indefinitely.

A public information webinar on the proposed regulation will be conducted this Thursday, 21 May, at 11am with participants to register at: https://events.humanitix.com/information-session-mining-amendment-mine-rehabilitation-regulation

A consultation draft of the proposed regulation and an explanatory guide detailing the full list of changes to standard conditions is available on the NSW Resources consultations webpage:  www.resources.nsw.gov.au/about-us/have-your-say/proposed-mining-amendment-mine-rehabilitation-regulation-2026

PLEASE, TAKE THE PLEDGE – This is National Road Safety Week with the priority for every motorist to Take the Pledge!

You are being asked to make simple commitments every time you get behind the wheel or on your bike.

Use the road as if your loved ones are ahead of you; never use your mobile phone while driving or riding; don’t put others at risk by speeding, driving while tired or under the influence of  alcohol/drugs and protect all vulnerable road users by slowing down and giving them space to be safe.

National Road Safety Week, Sunday 17 May–Sunday 24 May, is led by the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group.

Thursday is refresh your road rules knowledge day, Friday is Walk Safely to School Day and Saturday’s theme is drive safely on regional, country, rural and remote roads.

Road safety is a responsibility that we all share, Take the Pledge so we all return home safely after every trip: https://roadsafetyweek.com.au/home/#home/pledge 

PUBLIC HEALTH OPTIONS – The NSW Government is encouraged families to use fee-free health services ahead of an expected busy winter season.

Routine health services already available in NSW include free urgent and virtual care, more bulk-billing GPs, and free flu nasal spray vaccines. 

Saving yourself a visit to a busy emergency department is as simple as phoning Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

The needle-free Flu Mist nasal spray vaccination for children aged between two and four can be accessed via local GPs, Aboriginal Medical Service or at a community pharmacy.

All NSW children are eligible for free dental provided at NSW Health Public Dental Services.

Book a free appointment by contacting your nearest public dental service on 1800 679 336. 

Free mental health care is also available at 24 Medicare mental health hubs at locations including Muswellbrook and Tamworth.

You can access it or find a location near you by searching Medicare Mental Health or make a free call to the national phone service on 1800 595 212.

REZ COMMUNITY FUNDING – EnergyCo will undertake a consultation process for the Community and Employment Benefit Program to operate in the New England Renewable Energy Zone  (NEREZ).

Upper Hunter and New England communities will share in an initial $60 million to deliver local infrastructure, services and employment opportunities as part of the NEREZ program.

EnergyCo will gather input from local councils and the community on the design of the funding initiative so it can be invested in priorities that matter to local communities.

The NSW Government’s approach builds on the success of the CentralWest Orana REZ where community benefit funding has supported targeted employment initiatives for young people,  returning workers and people transitioning into renewable energy careers.

More information is available at EnergyCo’s Community and Employment Benefit Program website: www.energyco.nsw.gov.au/living-in-a-renewable-energy-zone/community-employment-benefit-program

COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES – Applications are open until Friday, 29 May, for the CentralWest Orana Renewable Energy Zone Community Reference Group (CRG) for the 2026-2028  term.

The group is an important forum for community members and stakeholders to come together, share perspectives and discuss matters relevant to the CentralWest Orana REZ.

Members receive regular updates on project activities and have a meaningful opportunity to represent their community and ensure local voices are heard.

Prospective participants are encouraged to download an application form from the ACEREZ website: www.acerez.com.au/community, and submit the completed form to the Independent Chairperson, by email or by post.

Further information on the CRG is also available by calling the CentralWest Orana REZ Community Information Line on 1800 298 379.

BAITING PROGRAMS – Wild dog and fox control programs are currently being stepped up across public and private land in the Upper Hunter Electorate.

Hunter Local Land Services and Forestry Corporation are conducting aerial baiting and large scale ground baiting programs in State Forests, on Crown Land and Travelling Stock Reserves.

Residents living near and visitors to national parks should check alerts on the National Parks and Wildlife Service website: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/alerts/alerts-list

Fresh meat baits are being used in the Singleton Military Area and programs are being conducted at Hunter Valley coal mine sites including buffer properties and biodiversity offset areas.

Neighbouring residents are reminded that pets and working dogs should be restrained during the baiting period and ensure they don’t enter the baiting locations unless muzzled.

MORE HSC SUBJECTS – From next year, all students across the state can study Higher School Certificate (HSC) courses via the state’s virtual public school, Aurora College.

The new HSC Subject Guarantee continues to grow the Inspire High Potential and Gifted Education program.

Until now, access to HSC courses via Aurora College has been limited to students in remote and rural areas of NSW. 

While Year 11 and 12 students can choose from more than 120 HSC courses, not every school can offer every subject via face-to-face teaching.

Aurora College’s virtual learning addresses the challenge by expanding access to subject-specific specialist teachers across NSW, allowing more students to access advanced and extension subjects.

HSC courses to be offered virtually to all public school students for the first time include English Advanced, English Extension 1 & 2, Mathematics Advanced, Mathematics Extension 1 & 2,  Chemistry, Physics, Science Extension, Economics and History Extension.

CLUB GRANTS APPLICATIONS – Singleton and Cessnock councils are currently taking Club Grants applications for their Local Government Area until May 31.

The Category 1 Fund provides funding for local social services and community projects to non-profit organizations and community groups that aim to improve community well-being.

Applications must meet the objectives of ClubGrants Category 1, which is usually aligned with health, welfare, education, or community services and should include a detailed budget, project plan  and expected local community impact.

Singleton Bowling Club, Singleton Returned Servicemens Club, East Maitland Bowling Club and Maitland City Bowls, Sports & Recreation Club are providing Club Grants Category 2 support with  applications closing in July for In Kind, non-monetary assistance such as free room hire, prizes for fundraisers etc.

Discover more about Club Grants at: www.clubgrants.com.au/find-your-local-grant-round

REGO REMINDER – Motorists are being urging to sign up for digital registration reminders for their vehicle through Service NSW.

The new text reminder is being introduced with more than 50,000 motorists last year fined for driving unregistered and uninsured.

Vehicle owners who opt in for digital reminders will receive an additional SMS notification the day after their registration expires to both remind them to renew and stop them driving an unregistered vehicle by mistake.

Motorists who fail to renew vehicle registration must not drive their vehicle on roads until the registration is renewed to ensure vehicles are roadworthy and have compulsory third party CTP  insurance in case of a crash.

Further information and to opt in to digital vehicle registration reminders, go to the Service NSW website or click on ‘Registrations’ in the Service NSW app.

GOT YOUR POSTCARD? – Australia Post is this month delivering four million prepaid connection postcards to households across Australia.

It’s part of an initiative with Beyond Blue to make mental health and wellbeing a part of everyday conversations and to build stronger, more connected communities.

Now you can send a little message of kindness to a friend, a neighbour, or someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, because connection matters and those few handwritten words can mean more  than you realise.

Keep an eye on your letterbox, pick one up at participating Post Offices or to order postcards visit: www.beyondblue.org.au/get-involved/campaign-supporter-packs/connections-postcards

For tips on how to connect and look after your mental health from Beyond Blue check in at: www.beyondblue.org.au

A BRIGHTER IDEA – If you need to dispose of fluorescent light globes and tubes, you should avoid putting them in your household bins for kerbside collection.

Fluoros contain small amounts of mercury, which can be harmful to people and the environment if sent to landfill.

For safe disposal take them to your local Community Recycling Centre: www.epa.nsw.gov.au/Your-environment/Recycling-and-reuse/household-recycling-overview/community-recycling-centres

And, to make that trip worthwhile also take the most common form of household hazardous waste – batteries.

Loose batteries, car batteries and battery powered items should only go to your local recycling centre for safe disposal, free of charge. 

NEED A HAND? – The NSW Rural Fire Service AIDER Program is using the cooler months to prepare for the next bushfire season.

Free, oneoff assistance is offered to help eligible residents reduce bushfire risk around their homes.

If you or someone you know is elderly, living with a disability, or infirm and located in a bushfireprone area, AIDER can help. 

Assistance can include clearing leaves, sticks and branches; trimming trees around the home and slashing long grass and cleaning gutters.

The RFS wants to work together with the community to prepare, act, and survive the bushfire danger season, so to learn more or register check: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/aider or call 1300 011 737.

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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