State Matters – A Weekly Bulletin from Dave Layzell MP

Member for Upper Hunter – 6 April 2026

FUEL SECURITY – THE NSW Government has agreed to the National Fuel Security Plan to coordinate a consistent national response to  the restriction on crude oil exports from the Persian Gulf.

The plan is guided by four levels of action:
1. Plan and prepare
2. Keeping Australia moving
3. Taking targeted action
4. Protecting critical services for all Australians

Our current status is level 2, Keeping Australia Moving.

Everyone can participate in getting fuel to those who need it most by only buying what you need when you need it, avoid stockpiling fuel in  unsafe or inappropriate containers which can be dangerous, and download the FuelCheck app: www.fuelcheck.nsw.gov.au/app

The Australian Government has announced temporary relief for businesses unable to meet their tax obligations due to fuel supply issues.

To find out more, visit: www.ato.gov.au/media-centre/ato-responds-to-impacts-of-high-fuel-costs

For more information on NSW fuel security, check: www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/fuel-update-for-nsw

LOCAL SPORT GRANTS – Ten Upper Hunter electorate sporting organisations have been awarded funding from the NSW Government  Local Sport Grant Program.

Each electorate is allocated $50,000 with grants up-to-$20,000 available for minor facility upgrades, new equipment and programs that support and encourage participation in sport and active recreation.

Singleton Golf Club receives $10,000 for practice chipping green and training area upgrades, Maitland Rugby Club’s women and girls team  $7,038 for uniforms, Gloucester Horse Riding Club $6,600 towards an equipment trailer, Greta Branxton Junior Soccer Club $5,990 for  portable goals and Murrurundi Bowling Club’s Pathways Project allocated $5,270.

Also sharing in the grant money, Upper Hunter Dressage Association $4,222, Northern Suburbs Maitland Cricket Club $3,500, Denman  Junior Cricket Club $3,305, Stroud Little Athletics $2,074 and Gloucester Junior Cricket Association $2,000. 

For further information, including the list of the latest successful projects, go to: www.sport.nsw.gov.au/local-sport-grant-program

BUSINESS CONNECT REVIEW – A 90-day review is being conducted by the NSW Government into the former Business Connect  business advisory service.

There are more than 890,000 small businesses in the state that employ around 1.8 million people, with the review’s feedback to inform a  future business advisory model for NSW small businesses.

Under Business Connect, the NSW Government supported up to eight hours free advice from independent business advisory services with 10  providers across the state offering either general advice or a more specialised service.

Small businesses and business groups are now encouraged to participate in a survey which will close on Sunday, 19 April. 

To access the survey, go to: https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/New-small-business-advisory-service

VOTE NOW! – Gloucester and Broke are representing the Upper Hunter electorate in this year’s Top Tourism Town Awards.

Gloucester making the final five in the Small Tourism Town category for a population of 1,500-5,000.

In the Tiny Tourism Town category for a population of under 1,500, Broke is in the running for the title having made the final three.

The historic village at the foot of the Brokenback Range has been a finalist every year since 2021 and runner-up for the past two years.

Online voting is now underway until 3 May, at: https://nswtourismassoc.kartra.com/survey/anmWRKOLCr9c

JOIN THE TOUR – Paterson Court House Museum is the starting point for the annual Paterson Town Walk being held this Sunday, 12  April, from 1pm.

Dr Cameron Archer AM will guide the popular yearly event which provides a fascinating account of the town’s heritage, buildings and history, some dating back to the 1830s. 

In addition to describing the origins of European settlement, the tour also covers the Aboriginal heritage of the Paterson Valley.

Bookings are not required, however, participants are requested to arrive at least ten minutes beforehand.

The cost is $10 for adults, which includes museum entry and afternoon tea, and there is no charge for school children to participate in the  tour. 

The walk takes about an hour and a half and requires reasonable walking mobility, so bring a hat, walking shoes and a water bottle.

Following afternoon tea, a guided tour of the nearby Paterson Rail Motor Society Museum will also be available.

PLAYGROUNDS OPEN – School is out for the autumn holiday but some local public school playgrounds will be open for use over the next few weeks.

The Share Our Space program allows local community members to enjoy quality outdoor facilities like playgrounds, multipurpose courts and  ovals during the Term 1 school holiday.

Ellerston, Scone, Broke, Dungog and Booral Public Schools are open daily 8am- 5pm, with Stroud and Gloucester Public Schools open 8am- 5pm on weekends.

Conditions of entry prohibit activities including use of bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters, drones or model aeroplanes, playing golf, smoking, lighting  fires or drinking alcohol.

Visitors are encouraged to keep noise to a minimum and respect the school’s neighbours, treat the school site with care and report any  damage, and show respect for others using this school site. 

Discover more about Share Our Space at: www.schoolinfrastructure.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/we-support-communities/share-our-space.html

SECOND DWELLINGS – NSW Parliament’s Select Committee on Rural Housing and Second Dwellings Reform has now tabled its report entitled ‘Rural housing and second dwellings reform’.

The Select Committee was established on 6 August 2025 to inquire into concerns about the number of restrictions and regulations imposed  on second dwellings and the challenges faced by landowners in obtaining council approval.

Current planning controls and approval pathways for second dwellings were widely regarded as overly restrictive, complex, time-consuming  and costly by stakeholders. 

The reforms proposed within the report to liberalise the construction of second dwellings on rural and conservation zoned land present an  opportunity for the NSW Government to enable second dwellings to become a viable and practical solution for many rural landholders.

The Select Committee’s recommendations also include the NSW Government require local councils to conduct an audit of all roads under  their control and report on their existing condition.

View the report at: www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/reports/pages/reports.aspx

ELECTRIFICATION ASSISTANCE – NSW Government funding to the Hunter Joint Organisation is helping local councils to provide  advice on regional household electrification under its Net Zero Acceleration program.

Hunter Joint Organisation is partnering with ZapCat to help the communities of the Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook, Singleton, Cessnock and  Maitland LGAs to electrify their homes.

Book a free expert consultation for independent advice on solar panels and batteries, electric vehicle charging, induction and electric cooking, reverse cycle air conditioning, hot water heat pumps, insulation and draught proofing and energy efficiency options including for renters.

ZapCat is a certified social enterprise which can provide instant online estimates for costs, savings and available rebates, by calling (02) 6145  0446 or visit: https://www.zapcat.com.au/hunter/ 

WATER METERING – Stage 2 metering amendments to the Water Management (General) Regulation 2025 are in the spotlight for the  NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s April Roundup.

The Regulation is being amended to formally implement the final recommendations from the non-urban metering review.

The aim of the amendments is to achieve a more accurate and reliable measurement of water taken in NSW. 

The live monthly Water Engagement Roundup webinar is on Wednesday, 15 April, 11am-12pm, with a question and answer session to follow  the presentation. 

Get your invitation from: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/80f06925-ceaa-4297-aa78-c5484207dee4@96ef8821-2a39-471c-b89a-67b0833dd3b9

COMMUNITY GRANTS – Transgrid is taking applications for Round 1 of its Community Partnerships Program (CPP) grants until Sunday 3 May.

The program offers grants of up to $5,000 for not-for-profit organisations that are local to the organisation’s planning, operations and major  project areas.

Community organisations within the local postcodes of 2329, which includes Merriwa and Cassilis, 2333 Muswellbrook shire and 2330  Singleton LGA are encouraged to apply.

Organisations seeking guidance or looking to refine their applications are encouraged to register for one of next week’s free online drop-in  sessions via Microsoft Teams being held Wednesday-Friday, 15-17 April, 3-6pm. 

CPP information can be found at: www.transgrid.com.au/community/community-partnerships-program

PARLIAMENTARY INVITATION – The invitation has been issued for you to come along and help the NSW Parliament celebrate the  Festival of Democracy this April school holidays.

The free, one-day only civics spectacular on Friday 17 April, 9.30am-3pm, is packed with hands-on activities for children aged 5 to 12, with all family and friends welcome to join in the fun.

You will step inside the historic Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council Chambers where laws are made, get involved in an interactive  reenactment of the signing of the Magna Carta, have your say in a mock committee roleplay and get creative with arts and crafts workshops. 

The Festival of Democracy encourages an understanding of civics, citizenship, and the history and significance of the Parliament of NSW,  Australia’s first and oldest legislature: https://education.parliament.nsw.gov.au/free-event-festival-of-democracy-2026/

CONSTRUCTION SCHOLARSHIP – A fee-free scholarship to upskill in construction has been launched to give NSW more of the skilled  construction workers it needs.

The Institute of Applied Technology Construction 2026 Scholarship Program is offering 3,000 fully subsidised places across 27 courses in  contract administration, leadership, WHS, digital skills and sustainability.

New scholarships are available to help NSW professionals upskill and stand out by gaining industry-ready skills in just 6–8 weeks. 

Eligibility criteria apply, with scholarships applicants to be a resident of NSW and currently an existing worker in the state, aged 16 years or  over and prepared to acknowledge you will complete the microcredential.

Further details at: www.iat.tafensw.edu.au/iat-construction/scholarships

OFF-SCREEN ROLES – Screen NSW’s Crew Development Program is offering a pathway to work behind the scenes in film and television. 

The program is part of a broader effort to build a more sustainable and inclusive screen industry, and provides access to opportunities often  difficult to reach from outside metropolitan areas.

Designed to fast-track careers in the screen industry, participants will build practical, on-set experience and make those vital industry  connections as they move through a combination of training, paid placements, and mentorship across production and location, production management and post-production plus the costume and art departments.

The Screen NSW Crew Development Program is open now for entry-level and mid-career practitioners, who are NSW residents aged 18 and  over including those living in regional NSW.

Discover how you could get your off-screen break at: www.screen.nsw.gov.au/funding-support/crew-development-program

NATIVE REVEGETATION – Hunter Local Land Services now has an easy to use, informative guide to native revegetation on your  property for the Hunter and Mid Coast regions.

This rebranded and revised guide replaces the very popular edition published in 2022, with the Planting your Patch guide designed to  provide you with the information to re-establish trees, shrubs and groundcovers back into your landscape.

It is important to carefully plan your revegetation project, taking into consideration what you aim to achieve with your planting, where you  will be planting, what species you will plant and how you will plant them.

Contact the Natural Resource Management officer in your area to get an electronic or printed copy of this guide. 

More information and resources are available from: www.nsw.gov.au/regional-and-primary-industries/natural-resource-management?utm_source

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

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