NEW OFFICERS – WELCOME to the new probationary constables who commence duty in the Upper Hunter Electorate after they attested  at the Goulburn Police Academy last Friday.

The three NSW Police Districts (PD) that cover Upper Hunter have secured 18 of the 65 new officers for the Northern Region from the 341  members of graduating Class 367.

Hunter Valley PD has five probationary constables, Port Stephens-Hunter PD receives seven personnel and Manning-Great Lakes PD has six  of the new recruits.

I join the Upper Hunter community in welcoming our newest women and men police officers, who will be helping to keep our local area safe  and make it a great place to live and work.

The coming summer holiday period is a timely reminder that there is no break for our police, who will be serving our communities through  Christmas and New Year.

Please share a thought for all of our officers, from our newest probationary constables to our seasoned investigators, who forgo time with  their friends and family to keep us safe over the holidays.

THINK BEFORE FLYING – Thanks also to our Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service volunteers and personnel for your efforts  over recent weeks with responses to local bushfires and storms.

One concerning issue to arise from the bushfires is the reports of unauthorised drones flying in the vicinity of firefighting activities.

The NSW RFS is reminding drone owners that they must not fly during firefighting operations because it is a major safety concern for  firefighters and waterbombing aircraft.

If drones are flying, the RFS can’t fly aircraft and the airspace intrusion can result in heavy fines or penalties for the drone pilot – so know the  rules: https://casa.gov.au/rpafire

Meantime, the waste levy has been waived for the Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook and MidCoast Local Government Areas (LGAs) affected by  recent bushfires.

Until 30 April 2026, residents impacted by bushfires can dispose of damaged items and bushfire-related waste on public and private land at  landfill sites without paying the waste levy fee. 

Landfill operators may still charge their own operational cost to manage waste, also known as a gate or tip fee.

Residents should check with their council before visiting the local tip to ensure it can accept waste.

NEW GRANT – The NSW Government is extending support for people recovering from the East Coast Severe Weather Event in May this  year.

A Home Repair Grant (HRG) for up to $25,000 is now available for those who need financial assistance to repair a home because it was made uninhabitable.

The HRG addresses what the state government has described as a critical service gap for low-income households and landlords impacted by  the natural disaster from 18 May, who are above the eligible income threshold for the Disaster Relief Grant program.

Uninsured households earning less than $120,000 per annum in gross income, whose home was made uninhabitable as a result of the severe  weather and floods may be eligible for the grant.

The new grant does not cover the cost of all repairs but instead is a contribution toward repairs to support the homeowner to return a home  to a minimum basic, safe and habitable standard, that allows a resident to return home.

Application closes on 2 February 2026, with further information at: www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/home-repair-grant

FARMER’S TOOLBOX – Farmers are to muster at Gloucester this Friday, 19 December, for the Sausage Sizzle Toolbox Farmer’s Recovery  Drop-In.

CRT Rural Supplies Gloucester is the location 8.30am–12.30pm then at Norco Rural Gloucester, 1–4pm.

It will be a friendly space for farmers to connect, share stories, pick up helpful flood recovery tips and enjoy a relaxed community catch-up  with sausages on the barbecue.

Local experts from Manning Valley Neighbourhood Services, Wesley Mission, the Farmgate Support Program and Local Land Services will  participate to offer practical advice to support mental health, business recovery and land management. 

Whether you want to swap experiences, ask questions, or simply relax for a while, these drop-in sessions are all about fostering  conversations, reducing isolation, and linking people to practical and emotional support.

For event details: www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/sausage-sizzle-toolbox

WORKERS COMP UPDATE – The NSW Nationals and Liberals have secured important improvements to the Minns Government’s  Workers Compensation proposals.

The outcome balances three imperatives including affordability for employers, protection for injured workers and long-term sustainability of  the workers compensation scheme.

The compromise includes a legislated 18-month restriction on average premium increases, retention of the Whole Person Impairment (WPI)  thresholds and a new “Return to Work” intensive program that provides an additional year of medical benefits and income replacement.

Additionally, a replacement program to Business Connect will be developed with the successor program to have a comparable budget, informed by expert consultation.

The agreement will allow the Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment (Reform and Modernisation) Bill 2025 to pass the Upper  House in February next year.

BYPASS ON TRACK – Singleton Bypass is on track to open to vehicles late next year, weather permitting, as the project passes the one-year mark for major construction.

The $700 million, eight kilometre New England Highway bypass, is a once-in-a-generation upgrade that will remove one of the Hunter  Valley’s longest-standing bottlenecks.

Over the past 12 months, more than 1300 workers have been active across the project with major achievements including all six bridges  under construction and more than 500,000m3 of earthworks placed.

Singleton Council’s new water pump station is nearing completion and peak work is underway on drainage, utilities relocation, pavement,  noise walls, and safety screens.

Once complete, the bypass will remove around 15,000 vehicles a day from the Singleton township, bypass five sets of traffic lights, cut  congestion and deliver safer, faster and more reliable journeys for the 26,000 motorists who travel on this section of the highway each day. 

Follow the project at: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/singleton-bypass-new-england-highway

INTERSECTION INPUT – Dungog Shire Council is taking community feedback on four design options for the future of the Duke and  Durham Street intersection as part of the Clarence Town bridge project.

Each of the options offers something a little different, whether it is improved safety, better pedestrian links, smoother traffic flow or long- term flexibility for the town.

The new bridge is a major upgrade for the Clarence Town township and with the project moving steadily toward key milestones, council is at  the point where the road approaches need to be finalised.

The four concepts are on public exhibition on council’s website with input to help select the preferred design closing on Friday, 23 January,  2026.

Feedback can be submitted in writing to Council’s Customer Service Centre or online at: www.dungog.nsw.gov.au/Projects-Works/Major-works/New-Clarence-Town-Bridge

SPECIAL DELIVERY! – A special reunion recently for Murrurundi’s NSW Ambulance officers when they were reunited with one of their  highlights of 2025.

Station Officer Paul Nickel and paramedic Ashleigh Clarke helped deliver baby, Hugh, into the world earlier this year.

Hugh’s mum, Marissa, from Tamworth gave birth to her baby in the back of an ambulance beside the New England Highway on a scorchingly hot day.

The two paramedics from Murrurundi came to Marissa’s rescue putting their training to work in what was an unforgettable moment for  Ashleigh, who participated in her very first baby delivery on the job.

To view the reunion with now ten-month-old, Hugh, see 7NEWS New England’s ‘Hey Baby’ story on NSW Ambulance social media:  www.facebook.com/NSWAmbulance 

MORE SUCCESS – Further recognition for Muswellbrook Preschool Kindergarten at the 2025 Australian Training Awards (ATAs)  presented recently in Darwin.

The not-for-profit preschool collecting silver on the national stage in the Small Employer of the Year Award category at the ATAs.

The award recognises small businesses that have achieved excellence in the provision of nationally recognised training to their employees.

Muswellbrook Preschool Kindergarten believes staff investment is vital to the provision of exceptional early childhood education. 

Congratulations Muswellbrook Preschool Kindergarten on your state and national success in 2025.

BE SAFE, THIS SEASON – Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) and NSW Fair Trading are encouraging us to be safe this festive season.

The advice from FRNSW is “If it lights up. It can burn down. Don’t be silly this season.”

Fair Trading’s tips are to throw out decorations with damaged cords or plugs, don’t overload power points, use surge-protected power boards  and only plug in decorations with an electrical safety approval mark on the label.

For further information on common electrical hazards and electric shock first aid: www.nsw.gov.au/legal-and-justice/consumer-rights-and-protection/safety/electrical-safety/avoiding-electrical-accidents

And, to stay fire safe this season download Fire and Rescue’s festive season safety guide: www.fire.nsw.gov.au/holidays

GREYHOUND REPORT RELEASED – A range of measures and actions aimed at strengthening the governance, integrity and animal  welfare standards of the greyhound racing industry have now been announced by the NSW Government.

The measures respond to the findings of the inquiry led by the Hon. Lea Drake, appointed to address concerns regarding Greyhound Racing  NSW (GRNSW).

The NSW Government will issue GRNSW with a new Operating Licence that sets out conditions legally requiring the organisation to address  key recommendations of the Drake Inquiry to ensure operations meet the highest standards of governance and animal welfare.

Minister for Gaming and Racing, David Harris, will consult with the industry’s regulator, the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission  (GWIC), on the updated licence before issuing it to GRNSW.

The Minister has also issued the Commission with a Ministerial Statement of Expectations that requires it to undertake key activities to boost greyhound welfare, that must be complied with by 30 June 2026.

The Drake Inquiry report, NSW Government Response and Statement of Expectations issued to GWIC are available at:  www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/office-of-racing/racing-publications-and-media-releases