State Matters – A Weekly Bulletin from Dave Layzell MP

Member for Upper Hunter – 16 December 2024

DOUBLE DEMERITS – DOUBLE DEMERIT points for the Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day period apply from this Friday 20 December until 1 January 2025.

Speeding, using a mobile phone illegally, riding without a helmet, not wearing or incorrectly wearing a seatbelt or carrying passengers not wearing or incorrectly wearing a seatbelt or restraint will  see you face double demerits during the enforcement period.

The demerit point system provides an incentive for drivers to improve their driving behaviour, obey road rules and comply with NSW traffic laws or the consequence is double the points, not  double the fine.

Drivers are also reminded that the 40 km/h speed limit in school zones for NSW School Term 4 continues to apply until Friday 20 December.

For emergency updates and contacts if you are not familiar with the area you are visiting remember – if life is in danger call Triple Zero (000) or for help during a flood or storm call the NSW SES  on 132 500.

Importantly, download the Hazards Near Me app to stay up to date about local emergencies www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/get-ready and if travelling Live Traffic: www.livetraffic.com

EPA COAL REVIEW – Engagement with coal mine licensees will start in early 2025 as the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) works to strengthen environmental protections on coal  mine licences.

Following extensive community consultation and the statutory five-yearly licence review, the EPA will consider variations for 59 coal mine licences across the Hunter, Central West and Illawarra  to ensure best practice operations and reduced environmental impacts.

EPA Chief Executive Tony Chappel said it is important coal mines operate responsibly to reduce air, noise and water impact on neighbours and the environment.

As a result of the review and the community feedback the EPA will now work with coal mines to look at strengthening the regulation around dust monitoring and climate change actions.

Proposed changes include improving standards for non-road diesel equipment, reviewing and improving dust monitoring conditions, improving public access to information and additional  reporting on greenhouse gas emissions. 

To read the full Consultation Summary visit the EPA’s Have Your Say page: https://yoursay.epa.nsw.gov.au

TIME TO ACT – The NSW Nationals and Liberals are calling on the Minns Labor Government to permanently allow conditional registration for Farm Fire Fighting Vehicles (FFFVs) to boost  capacity this summer.

A highly successful trial enabling farmers to use the unregistered vehicles during an emergency ended in March this year, but the Government has opted for a second trial to run between 13  December and 31 March next year instead of implementing the scheme.

Under the trial, participants can nominate a FFFV or a vehicle used for firefighting purposes, to respond to emergency bush fire incidents on public roads within 100 kilometres of their home.

As the second trial begins, Transport for NSW, the NSW Rural Fire Service and NSW Farmers are working together to continue to examine ways to introduce a permanent scheme.

For more details about the trial and to nominate a FFFV for the trial visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/vehicle-registration/unregistered-vehicles/when-you-can-drive-an-unregistered-vehicle#toc-farm-fire-fighting-vehicle-trial

REMAIN VIGILANT – The NSW Police Force Rural Crime Prevention Team is urging farmers and property managers to remain vigilant about farm security over the summer holiday period.

Hobby farms are at high risk of rural crime with owners often absent and the farms are located close to towns or cities.

Strategies to reduce risk include identifying and recording livestock, marking and recording hobby farm equipment, improving house and shed security, installing farm security cameras and  ensuring your farm is insured.

Also, remember that Crime Stoppers works alongside the Rural Crime Prevention Team to tackle rural crime.

NSW Police don’t need to know who you are but they do want to know what you know or suspect – so, if you know or see something, call 1800 333 00 or report online via Crime Stoppers:  https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/cs.aspx

SOCIAL HOUSING DISCUSSION – Homes NSW is taking feedback until Friday 17 January 2025 on how to deliver better outcomes for people seeking housing and homelessness support. 

A discussion paper has been prepared to inform planning for a better social housing and homelessness system in NSW.

The discussion paper outlines the issues and challenges impacting the non-market housing and homelessness system and sets out draft priorities and opportunities for reform.

It proposes three priority areas for action and reform such as customer-driven service, more and better homes and a system that works.

Provide feedback by completing the guided submission survey with participants having the option to complete either a short or longer version: www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/homes-nsw-plan

FERAL CONTROL UPDATE – Hunter Local Land Services has removed more than 3,000 pigs during an aerial control program in the Merriwa and Cassilis areas.

The recent work was prioritised due to the high pig densities in these areas impacting valuable agricultural assets and to build on significant work done through last year’s Feral Pig Program  funding and the ongoing annual aerial and ground programs.

The results of the program included the removal of 3,105 pigs, 231 deer, 39 foxes and six cats.

Meantime, the North West Local Land Services Pest Animal team has targeted deer and feral pigs in the area south-west of Willow Tree.

Funded under the regional pest levy, the aerial phase of the Willow Tree project was completed in early October and culled 4,955 fallow deer, 207 red deer, 30 chital deer, 1561 pigs, 30 foxes and  three cats.

NEW POLICE SCAN – NSW Police are using new ‘wand’ laws to detect the illegal possession of knives with the aim of reducing knife crime and boosting community safety.

Under the powers police can use handheld scanners, or electronic metal-detecting ‘wands’, to stop and scan individuals without a warrant in designated areas.

A senior police officer of the rank of Assistant Commissioner or above can turn on wand powers in designated areas including public transport stations and surrounds, shopping precincts and  other public places, designated by regulation, including special events.

Senior police officers can declare the zones for up to 12 hours with an option to extend that timeframe if specific criteria are met.

UNWANTED MEDICINE DISPOSAL – If a cleanup is on your ‘to do’ list over the summer holiday then pharmacists are asking you to dispose of unwanted medication responsibly.

RUM bins are a fixture at many pharmacies for out of date or otherwise unwanted medicines which would otherwise go into landfill or waterways, potentially causing lasting harm, or worse,  falling into the hands of children.

More than 13 million kilograms of unwanted material has been handled by the Return Unwanted Medicines (RUM) Project since the scheme’s inception in 1998.

The RUM Project recommends a three-step process to locate and dispose of unwanted medicines.

Read the labels, check expiry dates and review all medicines – Remove all unwanted medicines from your home medicine area and place them in a bag or container, and Return unwanted  medicines to your local pharmacy.

Watch the RUM video to find out more: https://returnmed.com.au

SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES – There are plenty of opportunities across the Upper Hunter Electorate for children to enjoy activities during the summer school holiday.

The NSW Education Department’s Share Our Space program returns with school grounds open to the public from Saturday 21 December to Thursday 30 January but closed on the public holidays. 

Scone, Ellerston, Muswellbrook, Broke, Dungog and Booral Public School playground will be open daily during the holidays with Stroud and Gloucester Public Schools only open on weekends.

On Saturday 11 January, Gloucester Public School hosts a free Share Our Space Cricket Clinic, 9.30am to 3.30pm, with all kids aged 5-12 to come prepared with lunch, a hat, sunscreen, a water  bottle, and dressed in comfortable shoes and clothing for outdoor activities. 

And, Singleton Youth Venue, corner of Pitt and Bathurst Streets, will be action central from Thursday 19 December through until the end January.

Singleton is participating in the NSW Government’s Holiday Break which ensures regional youth have access to free enriching, educational and enjoyable experiences during the school holidays.

To see the activities available: www.nsw.gov.au/regional-nsw/holiday-fun-for-regional-youth

For details on Share our Space school playgrounds go to:www.schoolinfrastructure.nsw.gov.au/content/infrastructure/www/what-we-do/we-support-communities/share-our-space.html

LANDCARE AWARD NOMINATIONS – Nominations close on Saturday 31 December for the 2025 Bob Hawke Landcare Award.

The prestigious national award publicly recognises an individual, group or organisation that has been involved in championing land care and inspiring others to take action on their property or in  their community.

Funded by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry the award is administered by Landcare Australia on behalf of the Australian Government.

The Bob Hawke Landcare Award acknowledges the role the former Australian Prime Minister played in elevating landcare from a grass-roots community initiative to a national movement with  enduring bi-partisan government support.

Next year’s winner will be announced at the National Landcare Awards Gala dinner on Tuesday 23 September.

For more on the award and how to make a nomination visit: https://bobhawkelandcareaward.com.au

PS – LETTERS TO SANTA! – Australia Post has assured children they still have time to send their Christmas wishes to Santa.

This year, our postal service is again helping little ones albeit a little differently this time.

Children take their letters to the Post Office and are receiving a special response straight from the North Pole.

Here is how the festive fun works – kids write their letter to Santa, pop the letter in a sealed envelope with no need for a postage stamp or return address then visit the Post Office ready for some  Christmas magic!

As soon as they hand in their letter each child receives a special reply from Santa, along with a lovely Christmas Pip the Koala ornament to hang on the tree.

For more information about the Santa Mail program and updates, visit: https://auspost.com.au/about-us/supporting-communities/literacy-education/santa-mail

Contact:
Email address: upperhunter@parliament.nsw.gov.au;
Phone number: 6543 1065;
Postal address P.O. Box 493, Muswellbrook 2333.

www.davelayzell.com.au/news/categories/state-matters