ROAD SAFETY FUNDING – UPPER HUNTER Electorate councils have secured over $5 million in NSW Government funding for three road safety projects.

A total of $45 million is being provided over three years for council-nominated projects in regional areas.

Even though regional NSW makes up a third of the state’s population, two-thirds of road deaths happen on country roads.

Muswellbrook Shire Council has $4.6 million for the Bylong Valley Way Safety improvements including shoulder widening, installation of roadside safety barrier, clear zone and delineation improvements at Kerrabee.

Singleton Council receives funding for two upgrades including $427,800 to install roadside safety barrier and delineation improvements on Elderslie Road, Elderslie and $76,300 for a roundabout at the intersection Boonal Street and Howe Street, Singleton.

TOURISM REVIEW – Tourism operators across the Upper Hunter are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the NSW Government’s review of the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy.

Of specific interest is the proposed role for Newcastle Airport’s new international terminal which opens next year and an agreement to support Newcastle Airport to attract more international airline routes.

The review into the earlier 2030 strategy will now inform the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035 to be released in coming months.

The review has highlighted key challenges for the sector including the need for 40,000 extra hotel rooms, significant worker and skills shortages plus the need for increased business event facilities in priority regional areas.

You can view the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 review summary at: www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/dciths/visitor-economy-strategy-review

SALUTING THE CLASS OF ‘24 – 

I this week acknowledge the Upper Hunter Electorate’s class of 2024 as our Year 12 students begin their Higher School Certificate exams.

Two compulsory English papers on Tuesday 15 October will put students on the road to the completion of 13 years of learning.

The Class of ’24 is NSW’s largest-ever cohort of students to complete their HSC with a snapshot by the NSW Education Standards Authority showing a record 80,166 students completing at least one HSC course and 76,221 of those students sitting at least one HSC exam.

It is also inspiring to see the Vocational Education and Training (VET) figures with Hospitality having the involvement of 7,587 students, Construction 3,529, Business Services 2,401 and Retail Services with 1,615 students having the highest enrolment numbers.

This year’s HSC written exams are scheduled to conclude on 8 November with Geography.

NEW COVID-19 VARIANT – NSW Health’s latest report indicates COVID-19 activity is stable at a low level, however, a new variant has been detected.

Health is monitoring sub-lineages emerging globally and locally which includes reporting the occurrence of an emerging variant XEC which has been increasing globally.

The World Health Organisation has classified XEC as one of its variants under monitoring.

Hunter New England Local Health District had 107 reported COVID-19 cases for the week ending 5 October, taking this year’s total to 9,153 according to the latest NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report.

There were 61 Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections and 41 reports of Influenza.

If you are unwell and not sure where to go, call healthdirect anytime day or night on 1800 022 222 and if it’s an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) or go to an Emergency Department.

IPTAAS HELPS – The NSW Government’s Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS) has provided financial assistance to more than 41,400 patients in the past year.

IPTAAS provides financial assistance to patients who need to travel long distances for specialist healthcare, not available locally, improving access to healthcare for people living in rural and regional communities.

In 2023-24, approved applications totalled 99,600 which is an increase of 21,200 from the previous year.

Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance payments for Hunter New England Local Health District totalled $12,757,239.

For more information on the scheme go to: www.iptaas.health.nsw.gov.au

DUST INVESTIGATION – Past and present workers and employers in construction, manufacturing, mining and tunnelling are currently being asked by SafeWork NSW to have their say of a new register.

It will monitor and track the health of at-risk workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) – otherwise known as silica dust.

Silicosis is a preventable occupational disease caused by inhalation of very fine silica dust particles, with workers at greatest risk in mining and construction including the engineered stone industry. 

The feedback will help ensure the silica worker register reflects industry needs and protects workers and the community.

Public consultation is underway on the form and scope of the NSW register with the closing date for submissions being Sunday, 3 November.

Go to the NSW Government on Have Your Say visit: www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/silica-worker-register

TRANSGRID GRANTS – Applications are currently being taken for this year’s second round of the Transgrid Community Partnerships grants program.

Up to $5,000 is available for not-for-profit organisations that are local to Transgrid’s planning, operations and major project areas.

Applicants located in the Muswellbrook 2333, Aberdeen 2336 and Scone 2337 postcode areas can apply for funding of initiatives such as community infrastructure, workshops, inclusivity and accessibility projects.

Close of applications is 8 November with more information on the program at: www.transgrid.com.au/community/community-partnerships-program

JHH TRAFFIC CHANGES – If you visit the John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle expect some changes to traffic conditions with two new internal roads and roundabouts complete.

The new roads have been built in preparation to connect to the 900-space car park beneath the new acute services building, which is under construction and expected to be completed in 2026.

For the moment, public car parking remains in Car Parks 1, 2 and 3.

Motorists attending the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) must travel clockwise around the campus via the two new roundabouts and enter the HMRI car park from the northern end.

Signage to mark changes to traffic and access points is in place on the hospital campus.

The northern roundabout will connect to the Rankin Park to Jesmond section of the Newcastle Inner-City Bypass which is estimated to remove 40,000 cars per day from Lookout Road once completed.

To follow developments check: www.hneinfra.health.nsw.gov.au/projects/john-hunter-health-innovation-precinct

BOAT SAFETY – Recreational water users are being called on to put safety first this boating season.

NSW Maritime, Marine Rescue NSW, NSW Police Marine Area Command and Surf Life Saving NSW have joined forces to encourage the wearing of lifejackets and making sure everybody on board a vessel wears one.

Statewide, there were 61 coastal drownings last financial year with 13 boating-related fatalities on Hunter waterways over the last five years, nine of those found to be people not wearing a lifejacket.

While the majority of mariners do the right thing, the top three offences on Hunter waterways over the last five years have been license offences or unregistered vessels, lifejacket non-compliance and improper or no safety equipment on board.

Water users are encouraged to Log On with Marine Rescue NSW before heading out via the free Marine Rescue NSW app or VHF Channel 16.

For more boating safety tips visit: www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/waterways-safety-and-rules

FISHING GRANTS – Advance warning that the next funding round for Recreational Fishing Trust Grants will open on 6 November.

Applications will be for the NSW Government’s new $2 million recreational fishing small infrastructure grant program.

The program will allow fishing clubs, community groups and other organisations to apply for funding for grassroots projects.

As part of the next round, the government will boost communication with all fishers and clubs so that they know when and how to apply for grants to improve their local areas.

Further information on fishing grants can be found at: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/recreational-fishing-fee/licence-fees-at-work/apply-for-funds

MOZZIE EDUCATION – More than 77,000 books have been printed for statewide distribution to help teach the importance of mosquito bite prevention.

‘Jack & Angie – Beat the Bite’ is an entertaining story about two youngsters who love playing in and exploring the great outdoors while staying safe from mosquito bites.

Thousands of children will help their families ‘Beat the Bite’ with books delivered to schools, early childhood and education centres and local councils across NSW.

Mosquitoes can transmit diseases that spread to humans through mosquito bites such as Japanese encephalitis (JE), Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE), Ross River, and Barmah Forest virus.

Protective measures to avoid bites include wearing light, loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts, long pants, covered footwear and socks, avoid being outdoors at dawn and duskand applying repellent to all areas of exposed skin.

Services interested in receiving ‘Jack & Angie – Beat the Bite’ can contact the NSW Health Surveillance and Risk Unit, Environmental Health Branch at: HSSG-EHBSurveillance@health.nsw.gov.au

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