State Matters – A Weekly Bulletin from Dave Layzell MP

Member for Upper Hunter – 25 November 2024

ROAD INFORMATION – PLANNED upgrades for the Port to Renewable Energy Zones (Port to REZ) project will be the subject of a community information session at Jerrys Plains next week. EnergyCo and Transport for NSW project team members will be available at the School of Arts Hall, corner of Wambo and Park streets, on Wednesday 4 December, 4-7pm, to answer questions  and discuss the project with the community.

Upgrades of intersections and pinch-points along the state-road network are required to move oversized and over-mass loads (OSOM) carrying renewable energy equipment, from the Port of  Newcastle to Elong Elong.

The project team will discuss Port to REZ upgrades in Jerrys Plains, future stages of the Port to REZ route and the Hunter Transmission Project Corridor.

Discover more about the Port to REZ road upgrades at: www.energyco.nsw.gov.au and to view EnergyCo’s interactive map for locations and the route:https://caportal.com.au/energyco/rez

16 DAYS FOR CHANGE – The ‘16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence’ commences today (Monday 25 November) in a global campaign to address violence against women and girls.

We all have a role to play in preventing gender-based violence by challenging the attitudes that perpetuate, rationalise and normalise this kind of violence and deny women’s right to safety and respect.

Men have an important role to play in challenging harmful masculine stereotypes and behaviours.

Show your support until International Human Rights Day on 10 December by wearing something orange, which represents a brighter future free from violence against women and girls.

COVID-19 RISE – Reported cases of COVID-19 in the Hunter New England Local Health District have risen above 200 for the first time since July.

NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report data for the week ended 16 November indicate Hunter New England’s COVID-19 notifications had lifted to 213, up from 178 the previous week, and takes the local Year to Date total to 10,066.

The Local Health District’s Year to Date Influenza figure sits at 12,200 with a total of 6,522 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections.

If you are unwell and not sure where to go call healthdirect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 1800 022 222 or go to www.healthdirect.gov.au

Healthdirect is free and a registered nurse will answer your call, ask some questions and connect you with the right place for care.

In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) or go to an Emergency Department.

ALL ABOUT ABILITY – Tuesday 3 December is International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) which is about raising our understanding and acceptance of people with disability.

IDPwD is a United Nations observed day held annually and this year we are being encouraged to create an inclusive and diverse community in Australia.

The 2024 theme is to amplify the leadership of persons with disabilities, promote the leadership of persons with disabilities in all areas of life and ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society.

It also has a focus on increasing the participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes, raising awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities and celebrating the  achievements of persons with disabilities.

More than one in five Australians, or 5.5 million people identify as having a disability.

For more information visit the United Nations website: https://social.desa.un.org/issues/disability/events/2024-international-day-persons-with-disabilities

THANK YOU, SHEREE! – Last week saw the conclusion of a distinguished career which has made an indelible impression on the Upper Hunter.

The Hunter Valley Police District farewelled Senior Constable Sheree Gray, who was one of its longest serving local officers.

Snr Const. Gray was a member of the NSW Police Force for 40 years which included receiving the coveted 2019 NSW Rotary Community Award. 

Sheree helped establish the Red Door Community Kitchen, the License to Drive program, the Kids in our Community program and ran the annual Graffiti Removal Day.

During her 23 years as the local youth liaison and crime prevention officer, Sheree also helped create the My Law Week program which evolved from lectures into a school drama group  presentation that involves police, solicitors and the chamber magistrate.

On behalf of the Upper Hunter Electorate, thank you Sheree, and please enjoy a happy and healthy retirement.

CHANGING TITLES – The NSW Government has decided to modernise the Local Court and will drop the title of “magistrate.”

Under amendments to the Local Court Act 2007 designed to reflect the seriousness and volume of work done in this jurisdiction the title will now change to “judge.”

The Northern Territory is currently the only Australian jurisdiction where the term “judge” is used in Local Courts.

The NSW move recognises that judicial officers in the Local Court are all legally trained and have been required to hold legal qualifications since 1955.

The NSW Local Court is the busiest court in Australia with 376,160 general crime matters commenced in calendar year 2023 and 64,904 matters commenced in the civil jurisdiction.

APPLY SOON – Applications for the 2025 Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Cadetship and Scholarship Program open on Monday 16 December.

Join NSW Health and get a head start in your nursing or midwifery career by receiving financial and career support to help you succeed.

If you are an Aboriginal person currently working as a registered nurse or registered midwife employed in a NSW Health facility, a postgraduate scholarship of up to $10,000 is available to support your postgraduate study and help with educational expenses.

Postgraduate study is a chance to expand your knowledge and provide career development opportunities that will support cultural safety within NSW Health impacting the health of Mob.

Applications close Sunday 23 February with more information at: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/nursing/scholarship

CONSIDER THE OPPORTUNITY – July 2025 looks set to deliver a winter boost for the Upper Hunter’s regional economy when the first NRLW Magic Round is played at Newcastle’s  McDonald Jones Stadium. 

The NSW Government has partnered with the NRL to secure regional NSW as the host of the Womens’ Magic Rounds for the next three seasons.

Over 40,000 fans are expected at the Newcastle stadium when all 12 teams, including newcomers the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs and New Zealand Warriors, play across the two days.

Fans will travel from far and wide spending money at local businesses, restaurants and accommodation providers, so I encourage businesses across the electorate to start considering how they can capitalise on the Womens’ Magic weekend.

NEW STRATA GUIDE – A new guide has been launched by the NSW Government to support residents living in strata properties including apartments, townhouses, and duplexes.

The Strata Living Guide has been updated following consultation that has incorporated the community’s feedback and responses.

Strata property owners and prospective buyers can expect clear advice in plain English on a range of topics aimed at improving decision-making in strata communities.

The Guide also highlights the strata law changes coming into effect in February 2025, which expand and strengthen strata managing agents’ disclosure obligations to owners, including reforms to make insurance arrangements more transparent.

To access the Strata Living Guide and other resources to help strata property owners, please visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/strata

PARCEL TRACKER – Australia Post is taking the lead to tackle potential festive season scam attempts aimed at people eagerly waiting for deliveries.

To help keep the community safe a short video on scam awareness has been created highlighting that the AusPost app is the most secure way to track and manage deliveries.

With the AusPost app you can get tracking updates, real-time delivery notifications and have more flexibility all in one place.

Download it from your app store and for further information on what to look out for and how to report Australia Post scams check: https://auspost.com.au/about-us/about-our-site/online-security-scams-fraud/scam-alerts

CALL SANTA! – Once upon a time children wrote a letter to Santa, so Telstra is sticking with a retro theme to help children of all ages get the man in the red suit on the line. 

Until Christmas Eve, kids can call Santa for free from any of Telstra’s 14,000-plus payphones by dialling #HO HO HO (#46 46 46).

Telstra’s Free Calls to Santa has become an increasingly popular festive tradition with over half a million calls last year alone made nationwide to Santa.

Calling Santa isn’t just festive fun – it will also provides youngsters with an opportunity to learn how to find and use a payphone in case of an emergency, especially if they have never used a non-mobile phone before.

With all standard national calls and texts free from Telstra payphones year-round, parents and carers are urged to encourage kids to memorise at least one important phone number, which can be a lifeline for unexpected moments.

FOR THE DIARY – Singleton and Gloucester are taking the lead to get this year’s Upper Hunter Electorate Christmas Party started with events on Friday evening 6 December. Christmas on John Street is a free, accessible, family friendly event complete with fireworks returning to Singleton’s Town Centre, 6-9.30pm.

Billabong Park is the location for the Gloucester Twilight Markets and street parade from 5pm with the Lighting of the Christmas Tree scheduled for 7.45pm.

Kelly Street Scone will be transformed into a winter wonderland on Thursday 12 December when the local chamber of commerce hosts Christmas on Kelly from late afternoon.

And, fireworks will feature when Christmas Spectacular 2024 returns to Muswellbrook Showground on Saturday 14 December from 5pm.

Entry is free, under-16s must be accompanied by an adult and strictly no pets are allowed unless they are certified companion animals.

ENTRIES OPEN – The next instalment of the Muswellbrook Art Prize is set to be created with entries now open for the 2025 edition of the competition.

Over almost 70 years Muswellbrook Art Prize has developed into one of the most valuable painting prizes in regional Australia.

Across three categories finalists with compete for a total of $70,000 with $50,000 for Painting, $10,000 for Works on Paper and $10,000 for Ceramics with one Acquisitive Prize awarded for each of the three sections.

Entry is open to all persons, aged 16 years and over, residing within Australia. 

Entries close 7 February with finalists announced 21 February and the Exhibition launch and announcement of winners set for 29 March next year.