State Matters – A Weekly Bulletin from Dave Layzell MP

Member for Upper Hunter – 11 November 2024

LEST WE FORGET – MONDAY, 11 NOVEMBER is Remembrance Day – a time we are encouraged to come together to remember and reflect on the events that shaped our nation.

I want to acknowledge the Singleton and Muswellbrook RSL Sub-branches, Aberdeen Chapter of Scone RSL Sub-branch and Sandy Hollow Public School for the invitations to join their  Remembrance Day Services.

History records that the anniversary of the armistice was first observed in Martin Place Sydney on 11 November 1919, a year after the guns on the Western Front fell silent following more than four years of continuous warfare.

In 1997, then Governor-General Sir William Deane issued a proclamation formally declaring 11 November to be Remembrance Day, urging all Australians to observe one minute’s silence at 11 am on 11 November each year to remember those who died or suffered for Australia’s cause in all wars and armed conflicts.

Lest We Forget.

MURRURUNDI UPGRADE – Mobile phone services in the Murrurundi area will be temporarily affected while Telstra undertakes upgrade works.

The Mount Helen mobile base station will be switched off from 7am Tuesday 12 November to 6pm Monday 18 November.

Telstra mobile customers will receive texts advising of the work to bring a better 4G user experience by improving the mobile site’s capacity meaning faster downloads, smoother streaming and  less congestion plus prepare the community for 5G services.

Landline services, NBN internet services, and mobile coverage from other providers will not be impacted.

CHANGE APPROVED – The NSW Government has approved a modification to the Liverpool Range Wind Farm proposed between Merriwa and Coolah.

Turbines numbers have been reduced by the applicant from 267 to 185, to address the visual impacts, with the maximum wind turbine height increased from 165 to 215 metres. 

Overall, the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure considers that the modification achieves an appropriate balance between maximising the efficiency of the already approved wind resource development and minimising potential impacts on surrounding land uses and the environment.

On balance, it considered that the modification is in the public interest and is approvable, subject to modified consent conditions.

The project will create 550 construction jobs and 47 operational jobs, with the local community to also benefit from $35 million in Voluntary Planning Agreements with local councils. 

For more information see: https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/mod-1-turbine-and-infrastructure-changes

FISHING GRANTS – The next round of Recreational Fishing Trust Grants is now open with $5 million available for fishing clubs, community groups and other organisations to improve and promote recreational fishing in their local area.

For the first time, applicants will be able to access the recreational fishing small infrastructure grants program.

This will make it easier to apply for funding of projects such as fishing platforms, fish cleaning tables, fishing access tracks, kayak launching platforms and other fishing facilities.

Funding is also available to promote participation in the sport and the mental health and well-being benefits of fishing, such as fishing workshops, come and try days, fishing for therapy initiatives, and the development of educational material to promote sustainable and responsible fishing practices.

Applications close 18 December with funding guidelines and the new online application form available at: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/recreational-fishing-fee/licence-
fees-at-work/apply-for-funds or call the Recreational Fishing Trust on 02 4424 7428.

HERITAGE GRANTS – Applications are now open until late-January for the 2025–27 Caring for State Heritage Grants program.

Individuals, businesses, local government, and not-for-profit organisations who are the owner, manager, long-term lessee or custodian of an item listed on the State Heritage Register (SHR) are encouraged to apply for the latest round of assistance.

Successful applicants must match funding for grants of between $10,000 to $300,000 with successful projects delivered between July 2025 and May 2027. 

The SHR is a list of items that are protected under the Heritage Act 1977 and represent heritage of particular importance to the people of NSW.

For more information and to apply: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/2025-27-caring-for-state-heritage

PUMPED HYDRO – Muswellbrook has the opportunity from this week to learn more about the pumped hydro energy storage project proposed for the former Muswellbrook Coal mine site.

Joint venture partners, AGL and Idemitsu Australia, will take questions and feedback from the community during three community engagement events.

Information stalls will be located near Coles, Muswellbrook Fair on Thursday 14 November 10am-2pm, Muswellbrook Marketplace near Big W on Thursday 21 November 10am-2pm and on Sunday 24 November outside Muswellbrook Indoor Sports Centre 10am-2pm.

For more on the Muswellbrook Pumped Hydro project got to: www.agl.com.au/about-agl/operations/agl-in-the-hunter/community

MEMORIAL TURNS 90 – November 24th is the 90th anniversary of the Anzac Memorial opening in Hyde Park, Sydney.

A Treasures of the Anzac Memorial Exhibition will mark the milestone featuring objects from Australia’s involvement in the 1899-1902 South African War, the First and Second World Wars through to Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The items, which are a selection of significant artefacts from the Memorial’s collection donated since 1934, are also featured in an accompanying publication Ninety Treasures – 90 Years.

The book contains 90 stories demonstrating the diversity of NSW military experience and the courage, endurance and sacrifice of generations of Australians profoundly affected by war.

Many of the items can now be viewed digitally following the launch of the Memorial’s online collection featuring a searchable database created to enable access to the objects, treasures,  mementoes and keepsakes.

You can view the online database at: https://collection.anzacmemorial.nsw.gov.au/explore 

WORKPLACE HARASSMENT – Workplace health and safety regulator, SafeWork NSW, has held its first ever event on preventing workplace sexual harassment.

Protecting workers from sexual harassment at work is a regulatory priority for the agency. 

The event was spearheaded by the NSW Respect at Work Advisory Group, a 17-member body established last year and chaired by SafeWork NSW.

Workers who experience unsafe practices are urged to report it to their workplace.

If workers are not able to report the WHS issue or are not satisfied with the workplace’s response, they can anonymously report WHS issues to SafeWork via the “Speak Up Save Lives” app.

Workers can also report online using the SafeWork Psychosocial Hazards Report Form: https://psychosocialhazard.safework.nsw.gov.au/forms/12331

BE SPRING SAFE! – Spring, time to enjoy the great outdoors and the warmer weather but it is also time for spring safety checks.

Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Rural Fire Service are warning that almost half of home fires in spring 2023 involved cooking.

The backyard barbecue can be a common cause of fires and injuries – so check if there’s a total fire ban, that your BBQ is clean, for leaks from the gas cylinder and hoses and the expiry date on the gas cylinder.

From October to March, plan and prepare for extreme weather events with increased risk of storms, bushfires and even floods.

Make sure you know what to do if you need to act quickly.

Download the Hazards Near Me app www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/hazards-near-me-app if your life is in danger, call Triple Zero (000), and for help during a flood or storm, call the NSW SES on 132 500.

Also, visit Get Ready NSW for tips for preparing your family and your home: www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/get-ready

SPOTLIGHT ON HEPATITIS – World Hepatitis Testing Week starts next Monday, 18 November with a global effort encouraging people to get tested for hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Hepatitis Australia says early detection is key to reducing the risk of liver cancer and testing is the first step towards accessing life-saving care.

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections can be prevented or managed with appropriate treatment, but millions remain undiagnosed. 

Almost 300,000 people in Australia are living with hepatitis B or hepatitis C, putting them at increased risk of liver disease and liver cancer.

Hepatitis B has effective treatment and a vaccine with hepatitis C having a cure and is preventable.

Discover more: www.hepatitisaustralia.com

2025 DIARY NOTE – Circle Sunday 2 March 2025 on your calendar and get ready to join one of NSW’s biggest ever Clean Ups!

Clean Up Australia Day 2025 has been launched with the campaign now taking registrations to host events.

Next year is very special celebrating 35 years of Cleaning Up and helping to improve and conserve our beloved Australian environment.

Business Clean Up day will be held Tuesday 25 February with schools joining in Friday 28 February.

Clean Up Australia Day organisers say they can’t thank volunteers enough for all they have done over the life of the annual event.

Lock in your Clean Up at: www.cleanup.org.au/create-a-clean-up