State Matters
A Weekly Bulletin from Dave Layzell MP
Member for Upper Hunter 15 July 2024
ANZAC DAY 2025
THE NSW Nationals and Liberals are committed to ensuring ANZAC Day remains a solemn and respectful occasion and support the state government’s decision to extend retail trading restrictions.
A review into ANZAC Day trading restrictions commenced last year including a public consultation period in September and October.
The majority of submissions supported full-day restrictions with support from veterans, veterans’ organisations and members of the public.
The restrictions do not apply to small businesses and business not considered retailers or with exemptions such as markets, cafes, chemists, newsagencies and takeaway restaurants which can continue to remain open for the entire day.
NAIDOC WEEK GRANTS
The Upper Hunter Electorate secured three NSW Government grants to help support NAIDOC Week events.
The Aboriginal Affairs 2024 NAIDOC Grants Program assists organisers of grassroots events and activities to honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and achievements.
Singleton Council received $3,000 for the NAIDOC Community Day held at Singleton Showground last Wednesday.
Gloucester Worimi First People’s Aboriginal Corporation secured $2,605 funding for the NAIDOC family fun day held at Gloucester Sport and Recreation Centre.
And, Muswellbrook will have a ‘Culture for the Future’ mural with the $2,500 grant received by Upper Hunter Community Services.
Grant recipients received support for activities that align with the theme of NAIDOC Week 2024: ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud’.
TRACKWORK UPDATE
Buses replace trains between Scone and Maitland from Monday to Thursday this week during critical maintenance by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC).
Transport for NSW has advised that replacement buses may be impacted by driver shortages and that most trains run between Maitland and Newcastle Interchange but may be affected at short notice by the ongoing police operation on the Hunter Line.
NSW TrainLink Explorer services will be replaced with alternative coaches for part of the journey during the work on the Hunter Valley rail corridor between Kooragang and Muswellbrook.
Travellers are encouraged to visit https://transportnsw.info or call 13 22 32 for assistance to plan their journey.
WHEAT BAG WARNING
Fire and Rescue NSW is advising residents that whilst wheat bags can help with pain relief – they also have the potential to cause burns and fire if improperly used.
Firefighters have responded to numerous residential fires due to wheat bags overheating in a microwave oven or being used to warm bedding materials.
So, this winter regularly check your wheat bag for signs of wear and tear or scorching, don’t leave the wheat bag unsupervised in the microwave or overheat for longer than specified by the manufacturer.
Avoid letting anyone, particularly children or the elderly sleep with a wheat bag, and don’t use the wheat bag to warm your bed up, as it may spontaneously ignite.
A wheat bag should be cooled down on a non-combustible surface before storing.
Download your Winter Fire Safety Checklist at: https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au
EARLY ADOPTER TRIAL
Parts of the Upper Hunter Electorate will trial technologies to speed up development assessment timeframes, as part of the NSW Government’s introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the planning system.
Muswellbrook Shire Council is a co-applicant with City of Newcastle and Central Coast Council for the Early Adopter Grant Program.
Cessnock City Council will also be supported during the one-year trial to assess technologies that will improve the quality and accuracy of information when a development application is lodged.
Introducing AI into the planning system is about reducing the administrative workload of planners and to help reduce delays by making sure all the required information is provided without repeated requests.
WINTER SCHOOL HOLIDAY
Gloucester’s Mountain Maid gold mine has been thrust into the limelight as a National Parks and Wildlife Service suggestion for a low-cost school holiday activity.
You can step back in time and uncover the hidden treasures of the Mountain Maid mine in Copeland Tops State Conservation Area during tours run every Wednesday and Saturday, 10am to 12pm.
Weather in the area can be extreme and unpredictable, so ensure you are well-prepared for your visit with drinking water, insect repellent, snacks and sturdy shoes.
Bookings are required by calling 1300 072 757 or book online: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/guided-tours/mountain-maid-gold-mine-tour
NSW Department of Education also has school grounds across the electorate open and everyone is invited to use them until 21 July.
The Share Our Space program has Barrington, Bolwarra, Booral, Dungog, Glen William, Kirkton, Martins Creek and Muswellbrook public schools open to the public every day.
On the weekend – Broke, Gloucester, Scone and Stroud public schools have their gates open.
Learn more at: https://edu.nsw.link/ShareOurSpace.
EMPLOYMENT GRANTS
Applications are now open for this year’s Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grants (EDAEG) which are designed to enhance access to education, training, and employment within the NSW Government.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people will secure life changing career opportunities through the program which subsidises the salary, development, and support costs helping to promote diversity and innovation in public service agencies and local government authorities.
The program will fund School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships, a Post School Element, Aboriginal Adult Apprenticeships and Traineeships and Permanent Ongoing Employment.
For more information and how to apply, visit the Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Program: https://education.nsw.gov.au/skills-nsw/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-peoples/elsa-dixon-aboriginal-employment-grant
ON-CALL FIREFIGHTERS
Fire and Rescue NSW is currently recruiting On-Call Firefighters for three brigades within the Upper Hunter Electorate.
On-Call personnel work from their local fire station undertaking a wide range of duties including community fire safety work, attending fires and other emergencies such as motor vehicle accidents or chemical hazards.
Community education on fire prevention and safety for school children, senior citizens and local businesses is part of the job plus collaboration with other emergency services like NSW Ambulance, NSW Rural Fire Service and NSW Police.
Merriwa, Dungog and Gloucester brigades are looking for new recruits, who are paid a base retainer of $78.28 per fortnight then $33.14 per hour for incident and drill attendance.
Discover more at: https://careers.fire.nsw.gov.au/on-call-firefighting
LOCK IT OR LOSE IT!
The NSW Police Force Rural Crime Prevention Team has issued a reminder to motorists that car theft is preventable.
The advice from officers is to take precautions and lock your car to help keep belongings safe during the current winter school holidays.
50 per cent of vehicles stolen are left unlocked with a remote control to the garage inside.
Don’t give thieves access to your home – store car keys out of view from external doors and windows, and don’t leave your keys in obvious places such as on key hooks or in a bowl near the door.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry is gearing up to stage the TV and Movie Nostalgia Festival in September.
The Main Event is a family friendly day full of great memories, entertainment and fun to suit all ages at Muswellbrook Showground on Saturday 7 September.
If you would like to volunteer and assist with the visitor experience as a Visitor Ambassador register with chamber coordinator Genelle Scotts: secretary@muswellbrookchamber.com.au
The festival will see activities happen at various venues in Muswellbrook including a TV/Movie Themed Karaoke Night, Trivia Night and 1970’s Saturday Night Fever Disco.
Lifeline crisis support and counselling services in the Hunter region will be supported by fundraising during the festival: www.tvandmoviefestival.com.au
Contact:
Email address: upperhunter@parliament.nsw.gov.au;
Phone number: 6543 1065;
Postal address P.O. Box 493, Muswellbrook 2333.
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