State Matters – A Weekly Bulletin from Dave Layzell MP

Member for Upper Hunter – 24 November 2025

CONSULTATION EXTENDED – ENERGYCO has extended the time for public comment on the revised New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) transmission line between Muswellbrook and Walcha by two weeks.

The requests for more information on the selection of the three kilometre-wide study area corridor, which will eventually be narrowed to a  final easement of 140 metres-wide, will now see comment close on Friday 12 December.

EnergyCo will also host an online webinar on Tuesday 25 November, 5-6.30pm, to discuss some of the key findings of the recently released  Bulk Corridor Design Refinement Report, including the assessment of firefighting constraints and construction challenges in the previous  corridor.

To register follow the link at Have your say to help shape the corridor on the New England REZ webpage: www.energyco.nsw.gov.au/ne

Meantime, the New England REZ has reached an important milestone with three shortlisted tenderers announced for the Request for  Proposal phase to select the preferred network operator.

LAST STOP – Langley’s Coaches has announced the cancellation of its Dubbo-Newcastle Express Service which has serviced a number of  Upper Hunter communities over recent months.

The Central West firm commenced Monday and Friday return services in August after the previous Newcastle-based operator decided to  vacate the route.

Langley’s has advised it has been a very difficult decision and one it did not want to make, however, patronage has unfortunately not been  sufficient to keep the route at a sustainable level. 

The company has explored funding opportunities to support the service but has not received any positive outcome by the time it had to make  a decision.

The Newcastle Express’ last week of operation will be Monday, 29 December, with the final service operating on Friday, 2 January 2026.

For further information go to: www.facebook.com/Langleyscoachesdubbo

APPLICATIONS OPEN – Not-for-profit organisations, schools and councils are being encouraged to submit applications from this week  for the next round of grants from the Clubgrants Category 3 Fund.

The objective of the fund is to assist with the costs of construction, alteration, renovation, completion and fit-out of buildings and community infrastructure to deliver outcomes for disadvantaged NSW communities.

These include regional, remote and drought-affected areas, culturally and linguistically diverse, disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait  Islander communities and disaster-affected communities.

Managed by the Office of Responsible Gambling, infrastructure grants are available across four categories for arts and culture, community,  disaster readiness, and sport and recreation.

Grants from $50,000 up to as much as $300,000 are available with further information at: www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/clubgrants-category-3-fund

MERRIWA ROAD UPGRADE – Transport for NSW is calling for community feedback on the location for a proposed new overtaking lane,  west of Merriwa.

The $23.7 million Golden Highway project is moving into the final concept design stage with Transport to continue developing the design  and environmental assessment.

The proposed overtaking lane will be located on an uphill section of the Golden Highway around one kilometre west of Barnett Street, which  is around 12 kilometres west of Merriwa.

It will provide safer and more efficient travel allowing slower heavy vehicles to be overtaken on the climb.

This section is often the cause of delays caused by freight and over sized, over mass (OSOM) vehicles negotiating the hill between Bow River  Bridge and the Krui River.

Submissions close Friday, 12 December, by emailing: Merriwa@transport.nsw.gov.au or via the online form at:  www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/golden-highway-upgrade-merriwa-overtaking-lane

VACY TELSTRA UPGRADE – Telstra has advised it will be upgrading the mobile base station that services Vacy (Moonabung) between  Friday 28 November and Tuesday 2 December.

Mobile customers will receive texts advising of the upcoming work with the planned outage requiring the site to be switched off for the entire  period while the upgrade works are underway. 

Telstra landline services, NBN and satellite internet services, and mobile coverage from other providers will not be impacted.

Any calls to Triple Zero from a Telstra mobile when the site is off air will automatically connect to another mobile network, if available, for  connection to emergency services.

Telstra customers can continue to make calls and send texts during the disruption to mobile services by switching on Wi-Fi Calling.

Keep up to date on the outage via: https://www.telstra.com.au/outages

HOSPITAL UPDATE – Stage Three of the Muswellbrook Hospital Redevelopment will achieve several milestones as 2025 draws to a close.

State-of-the-art theatres include an operating room, procedure room and staff support spaces are due for completion before the end of year,  ready to be operational next year.

And, the new Community Health space, is currently being fitted out with electrical cabling and framing for internal walls.

As the construction team works toward completion of its milestone with the Operating Theatre suite, the existing construction compound will close with site fencing coming down by the end of the year.

A new compound will then be established behind the main hospital building to focus on the Sterilisation Department.

For more about the project, check: www.nsw.gov.au/muswellbrook-hospital-redevelopment

REDBANK APPEAL – The Independent Planning Commission has advised that its decision to refuse the state significant development  application for the restart of Redbank Power Station is the subject of an appeal.

Verdant Earth Technologies Limited has appealed to the Land and Environment Court with the matter listed for a first directions hearing on  2 December.

The Commission refused the DA in September because it had not addressed potential adverse impacts of the project relating to its fuel  strategy .. with fuel to be sourced from outside the boundaries of the Warkworth, Singleton site.

Verdant Earth Technologies had proposed using up to 700,000 dry tonnes per year of biomass as a fuel source. 

Objectors who have made a submission to the application during the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure’s formal public  exhibition period from 8 March 2024 to 11 April 2024 are entitled, on application to the Land and Environment Court, to be heard at the  hearing of the appeal if they are not already a party to the proceedings.

Updates and further information about the appeal are available on the Commission’s website: https://www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/cases/restart-redbank-power-station

POST-MINING PLAN – Legislation has been introduced into the NSW Parliament to establish the Future Jobs and Investment Authority.

It will also create a framework for strategic intervention to encourage economic growth and development in regions experiencing, or likely to  experience, structural economic change as a result of changes in demand for coal or coal-fired power generation.

Local Divisions of the Authority will be established in each coal-producing region, ensuring decisions reflect local priorities and community  voices.

New regulatory requirements for coal mine operators will require them to begin planning to support their workers for the future and provide  at least three years notice prior to closure.

Notification will also require coal mine operators to share information with the government on how they intend to support their workforce in  the lead up to and following closure of the mine.

The Future Jobs and Investment Authority is backed by a $27.3 million investment across four years to support its establishment and  operations.

In addition, the Future Jobs and Investment Fund will unlock more than $110 million to fund projects supported by the authority.

More information about the Authority is available at: www.nsw.gov.au/fjia

FESTIVAL GRANTS – Three councils in the Upper Hunter Electorate have received funding from the NSW Seniors Festival Grant  Program.

The state’s Seniors Festival is being held 2-15 March 2026 with events including wellbeing workshops, concerts and community outings.

MidCoast Council receives $9,250 to provide a variety of creative, educational and cultural events designed to encourage participation, life- long learning and community connection.

Cessnock City Council has $6,230 for ‘Live Life in Colour’ to engage the local senior’s community in all aspects of the planning and delivery of a free, accessible and inclusive festival program. 

With $5,000 for Muswellbrook Shire Council to stage a Kaleidoscope Night featuring art, performances, food and craft stalls and other  activities at various sites along Bridge Street, Muswellbrook.

For a full list of the successful recipients and to find out more, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/seniors-festival-grants-program/nsw-seniors-festival-grant-program-2026/recipients

MORE GRANT SUCCESS – Ten electric vehicle charges will be rolled out in the Mid-Coast local government area under the NSW  Government EV Destination Charging Grants.

Almost $6 million has been allocated for 159 new chargers to be installed in 48 regional hotspots boosted by $3.2 million in private  investment.

This latest round of grants will see chargers installed which take less time to fill up a car’s battery and are powered by 100 per cent renewable  energy.

Exact locations for the new EV chargers are being finalised in consultation with local councils.

For more information on the EV Destination Charging Grant, visit: www.energy.nsw.gov.au/business-and-industry/programs-grants-and- schemes/electric-vehicles/electric-vehicle-destination and discover the details on EV friendly road trips at: www.visitnsw.com/evroadtrips

TAFE 2026 – TAFE NSW is already preparing for next year with enrolments for Semester 1 now open.

There are hundreds of courses to choose from with prospective students encouraged to find their gift for practical learning.

Courses such as electrotechnology, animal care, commercial cookery, early childhood education and care, healthcare, hospitality, business  and marketing, and Aboriginal programs.

Flexible study options are available, with industry experienced teachers and nationally recognised courses to ensure you are job-ready for a  successful career.

Further detail on courses and enrolment can be found at: www.tafensw.edu.au

NDIS INFORMATION – The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will be in the Upper Hunter Electorate during an upcoming  visit by the Services Australia Mobile Service Centre. 

NDIS Agency representatives will be available to discuss topics including how to access support through services available in the area such as  Local Area Coordinators, Early Childhood Partners, and Remote and Local Community Connectors.

Services Australia will be at Scone on Monday 8 December, Merriwa on Tuesday 9 December, Wednesday 10 December at Denman, Jerrys  Plains on Thursday 11 December, and Paterson on Friday 12 December.

For Services Australia Mobile Service Centre locations details, go to: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/when-and-where-to-find-mobile-service-centres

FINAL ROUNDUP OF 2025 – The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will review the 2025 water year on Wednesday 3 December.

The Water Engagement Roundup is a live monthly webinar hosted by the Department to provide updates on important water policy, reforms  and programs in NSW.

The webinar features a guest presentation topic each month, followed by a question and answer session.

December’s focus is 2025 in review, with the Water Group deputy secretary, Amanda Jones, as the special guest from 11am.

To register for the Engagement Roundup, check in at: www.water.dcceew.nsw.gov.au/about-us/engagement

ADVISORY COUNCIL NOMINATIONS – Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for the NSW Government’s Fisheries Advisory Councils.

Passionate recreational fishers and commercial fishing industry representatives with good fishing knowledge and experience, are required for the Recreational Fishing NSW Advisory Council (RFNSW) or the Commercial Fishing NSW Advisory Council (CommFish NSW).

The Advisory Councils provide engagement between government and industry, with key outcomes delivered on a range of fisheries policies and issues including management of fisheries resources and ecosystems, for future generations.

For more information and to apply for the positions before 19 December visit: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/consultation

Email address: upperhunter@parliament.nsw.gov.au; 
New Address: 94 John Street Singleton 2330
Postal Address: PO Box 60 Singleton NSW 2330
Ph: 6543 1065

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