BUSHFIRE DISASTER DECLARATION – UPPER HUNTER, Muswellbrook and MidCoast council areas are now covered by Natural Disaster Declarations for recent bushfires.

The declarations make support available under the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Assistance measures that may be provided include support for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation and essential items, as well as, concessional loans for small businesses and primary producers.

Residents affected by the bushfires should contact Service NSW on 137788 or visit www.service.nsw.gov.au to access information on disaster assistance, grants, and recovery support plus checking: www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/recovery/natural-disaster-declarations

The NSW Government is asking people who want to help bushfire impacted communities not to send physical donations but to donate through GIVIT at: https://www.givit.org.au/

REPORT DAMAGE – Rural landholders impacted by recent severe thunderstorms that swept across the Upper Hunter Electorate are being  asked to ensure they report damage from those events.

The primary industries natural disaster damage assessment (PiNDDA) survey allows you to record damage to primary production and  animals from natural disasters.

NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will then gather, analyse and report on the damage to primary industries  and animals after storm and bushfire events.

The PiNDDA survey helps a range of government agencies, industry organisations and communities understand the scale and regional  distribution of the impact of a disaster on agriculture, plan for recovery activities and target resources and assistance in an area.

So, when intense storms or bushfires affect your property, please ensure you complete the PiNDDA survey:  www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/dpi/biosecurity/emergency-management/primary-industries-natural-disaster-damage-survey

COMMENT CLOSING – Feedback closes this Friday, 12 December, for property owners to comment on EnergyCo’s revised Muswellbrook- Walcha transmission corridor study for the New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).

Input now will help ensure local knowledge and feedback informs the corridor refinement process from the 3 kilometre-wide study area to a 1 kilometre-wide corridor, and eventually down to a final easement of 140 metres wide, generally 70 metres for each 500kV line.

EnergyCo has indicated there will be further opportunities to have your say as the project progresses, including the exhibition of the  Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in the second half of next year.

A range of field studies are underway to help inform the EIS including survey work on local roads at various locations between Muswellbrook  and Armidale.

A Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment is being undertake using photographs of the general landscape with all photos only being taken  from public vantage points.

Visit energyco.nsw.gov.au/ne for latest updates and fact sheets, alternatively, call 1800 061114 (toll free) or send feedback by email to:  nerez@energyco.nsw.gov.au.

FIREARMS COMPLIANCE – Hunter Valley Police District has issued a reminder for firearm license holders to be aware and comply with  their obligations under the Firearms Act 1996.

The Rural Crime Prevention Team recently conducted Operation Fleece which seized nine firearms as a result of safe storage breaches.

It included a firearm being located behind a door in a residence and an unregistered firearm was surrendered under amnesty.

Operation Fleece involved the Hunter Valley, Manning/Great Lakes and Richmond Rural Crime Prevention Teams, as well as officers  attached to the Proactive Crime Team, Detectives and Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and DPI Hunting.

The operation covered Merriwa, Murrurundi, Scone, Willow Tree, Cassilis, Ulan and Wollar, with police conducting a number of hunting  vehicle stops and livestock carrier inspections for mandatory paperwork.

To check on your Firearms Act obligations and safe storage of firearms go to: www.police.nsw.gov.au/online_services/firearms

NEW AMBULANCE STATION – Almost two-years after the NSW Nationals and Liberals committed to a new Ambulance Station for  Branxton, the Minns Labor Government will locate it at North Rothbury. 

In January 2023, then Minister for Regional Health, Bronnie Taylor, announced the site for the new station would be determined following  further planning and consultation with key stakeholders including the community, Cessnock City Council and local emergency services personnel.

The state government has now purchased the Winepress Road site after NSW Ambulance identified North Rothbury as a high priority  location for a new station, following a comprehensive service planning process using best practice modelling software to map Triple Zero  (000) calls.

The station will be delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $615.5 million NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program, which was originally  announced in the Nationals and Liberals 2022-23 State Budget.

SCHOOL BUS CHANGES – North Branxton, Radford Estate and Rusty Lane are three Upper Hunter Electorate communities that will  benefit from improved schools bus services on the way for the Hunter Valley.

Service improvements are being made as part of the NSW Government’s response to growing demand in areas such as Branxton and Huntlee.

Students attending Cessnock and Mount View High Schools, St Philip’s Christian College and Hunter Valley Grammar School will be among  those to benefit from the improvements.

Transport for NSW and operator, Rover Coaches, are working closely with schools and parents to ensure communities are aware of the  updated services.

Existing routes and timetables may change, and students and families are encouraged to plan their journeys at: https://transportnsw.info

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS – Education facilities could be one of the options for the re-use of the former Maitland Hospital site with  residents of Lorn, Bolwarra and northern Maitland asked to contribute their ideas.

NSW Health has engaged Property and Development NSW to determine the most appropriate future use of the former hospital, which closed  in January 2022, when the majority of health services moved to the new facility at Metford.

The former hospital is currently zoned SP2 – Infrastructure: Health Services Facility, which limits permissible uses without rezoning, and  includes several buildings of significant local heritage value such as the former Female Public Ward.

Following the public consultation period, Property and Development NSW will publish a summary report of all community ideas and  feedback received to help guide any future decisions about site. 

Check the consultation website and Have your say by 1 March 2026: http://www.nsw.gov.au/former-maitland-hospital

NDIS CONSULTATION – Residents of Dungog shire will have the opportunity to ask questions of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) next week.

The NDIA will be on board the Services Australia Mobile Service Centre when it stops at Vacy on Monday 15 December, Dungog on Tuesday  16 December, Wednesday 17 December at Clarence Town, then on Thursday 18 December at Hinton.

Community members can visit the Mobile Service Centre and connect with NDIS Agency representatives virtually or face-to-face.

Topics which can be discussed include applying to access the NDIS, understanding an approved plan and general queries relating to the  NDIS.

For the location of the Services Australia Mobile Service Centre check: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/when-and-where-to-find-mobile-service-centres

FISHING PROGRAM RETURNS – NSW schools are being encouraged to include fishing as part of the curriculum next year.

Primary schools are invited to join the free, fun, and interactive Recreational Fishing Schools Program.

It gives students the chance to learn about sustainable fishing, marine environments, and water safety in a hands-on way.

High schools can register for the Fish For Life High School Program which is a free, online program designed to inspire and engage students  through meaningful, real-world learning.

Teachers and students will explore the world of recreational fishing in NSW, understand the importance of sustainable and ethical fishing  practices, learn about conserving fish habitats and protecting marine environments.

Each unit also highlights a range of career pathways, helping students connect classroom learning with future study options and opportunities in the marine and fisheries sectors.

Registrations close 30 April 2026 with more information available from: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/resources/fishing-workshops/get-hooked

WEED WATCH – Hunter Local Land Services is advising landholders to be alert for potentially dangerous weeds as livestock look for green  pic.

With pastures drying off and nutrient quality declining, cattle are more likely to browse unusual species along creek lines, fence-lines and  disturbed areas where weeds remain green for longer.

St John’s wort and green cestrum are two plants that contain toxins that can cause serious illness or death, even in small quantities.

Landholders are encouraged to assess paddocks, manage grazing pressure, and control high-risk weeds before conditions deteriorate further.

Providing supplementary feed, improving pasture cover, and restricting access to known infestations can reduce the risk.

For support with identification and management of weeds, contact Hunter Local Land Services or visit NSW Weedwise:  https://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au

HARNESS RACING APPOINTMENT – Expressions of Interest (EOIs) have been called from prospective applicants for appointment as a  member of the Board of Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW).

Minister for Gaming and Racing, David Harris, has established a selection panel to assist with the appointment.

The Harness Racing Act 2009 requires that an appointee must have experience in a senior administrative role or experience at a senior level  in one or more of the fields of business, finance, law, marketing, technology, commerce, regulatory administration or regulatory enforcement.

EOIs are encouraged from candidates who possess experience across a range of fields and have an appreciation of the issues affecting the  harness racing industry.

Competitive candidates will be required to complete a comprehensive probity assessment to be eligible for appointment and should also  familiarise themselves with the requirements of the HRNSW Board Code of Conduct: www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/office-of-
racing/key-appointments

To apply, submit an updated CV and cover letter outlining relevant experience by 15 December via email to racing.admin@racing.nsw.gov.au with the subject line “Harness Racing NSW Appointment”.

EARLY HOLIDAY TIPS – Aussie Ark is one Upper Hunter location preparing to host visitors over the summer holiday break.

Summer Open Days return in January with the Barrington Tops conservation facility opening the gate for the public to explore the sanctuary  and see conservation work in action. 

Every ticket purchased contributes directly to Aussie Ark’s conservation mission of creating disease-free insurance populations and breeding  programs, to providing a safe haven for endangered native species in a feral-proof sanctuary.

Book your tickets at: www.aussieark.org.au/visit-us/open-days

And, at the southern approach to the Barrington’s, Lake St Clair Park has new accessible amenities to ensure day visitors and campers enjoy  their stay.

The new $1million prefabricated building was fully funded through the Resources for Regions Program of the former Nationals and Liberals  NSW Government.

To see what Lake St Clair has to offer, check in at: www.singleton.nsw.gov.au/Experience/Facilities-and-Recreation/Lake-St-Clair