State Matters – A Weekly Bulletin from Dave Layzell MP

Member for Upper Hunter – 9 December 2024

WELCOME, PROBATIONARY CONSTABLES! – I BEGIN this week with a warm welcome for our new probationary constables who attested at the NSW Police Academy, Goulburn last  Friday.

In the Upper Hunter Electorate, six new recruits join the Hunter Valley Police District, Port Stephens-Hunter PD receives four officers and Manning-Great Lakes PD two.

On Monday 9 December, the probationary constables reported to their stations to complete 12 months on-the-job training and study by distance education with Charles Sturt University.

They officially graduate with an Associate Degree in Policing Practice once they have passed all academic and operation standards and will then be confirmed to the rank of constable.

I congratulate the new recruits for joining the ranks of the NSW Police Force to take up the incredibly challenging but rewarding responsibility of serving and protecting the people of  NSW.

DECLARATION MADE – Disaster assistance is now available in the Muswellbrook Local Government Area following the multiple earthquakes between 23 August and 12 November.

The assistance is being provided by the Australian and NSW governments through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Last week’s decision follows Muswellbrook Shire Council resubmitting an application to have the recent four significant earthquakes and more than 50 aftershocks proclaimed as a natural disaster by the NSW Reconstruction Authority.

The support includes assistance to help with the costs of restoring damaged essential public assets such as community buildings, roads and bridges.

Further information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website: www.disasterassist.gov.au

CONSTRUCTION AHEAD – Health Infrastructure and Hunter New England Local Health District are preparing for a busy start to 2025 with the Stage 3 redevelopment of Muswellbrook  Hospital. 

The project team is planning for construction to begin from early January with the builders starting to undertake site set-up activities.

Initial construction will begin on the Operating Theatre suite followed by the Community Health area.

Following completion of the Operating Theatre suite, work is scheduled to commence on the Sterilising Department.

Meantime, Project User Groups re-commenced in November to assist with finalising the Operating Theatre spaces.

Project User Groups will continue into 2025, and the Arts in Health team will start to consult on how the project can use art throughout the hospital.

For more information, visit: https://hneinfra.health.nsw.gov.au/projects/muswellbrook

MERRIWA WATER – Testing by Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) has shown that Merriwa’s water has a radioactivity dose ranging well below the national  reference level.

Upper Hunter Shire Council last week released the recent radionuclide testing which has been reviewed and verified by Council, NSW Health, and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the  Environment and Water.

The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) screening value has been set to prioritise public health and these latest results confirm that the Merriwa drinking water supply is below the  screening value.

Upper Hunter Shire will continue to collaborate with the relevant agencies to ensure the safety of the community’s drinking water and monitor the drinking water in line with ADWG and NSW  Health recommendations to verify the safety and quality of the water supply. 

Further details are at: www.upperhunter.nsw.gov.au/News/Merriwa-Water-Supply-Testing-Update

SENIORS DIARY – I invite seniors to come into the Upper Hunter Electorate Office to pick up their free 2025 Legal Aid NSW Seniors Diary so they stay informed about their legal rights.

The diary has useful cost of living tips as well as information about mortgage stress, tenants’ rights and how to identify scams and protect yourself from them. 

Seniors will find the expansive range of topics covered in this diary extraordinarily useful enabling them to further understand their rights and responsibilities in our legal system.

There are also tips on how to plan for retirement, how to navigate tricky challenging legal situations including neighbour disputes and knowing your rights when buying goods and services.

Diary orders can also be made by emailing: upperhunter@parliament.nsw.gov.au or call: 65431065.

STAMP DUTY RELIEF – Prospective first home buyers are being urged to familiarise themselves with the NSW Government’s First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme.

The scheme aims to help first home buyers by either providing an exemption from stamp duty or a concession for homes under $1 million.

More than 42,000 first home purchasers have saved on average of around $20,000 between July 2023 and October 2024 through the program.

A full exemption from stamp duty for homes valued up to $800,000 applies and there is a reduced rate for homes valued over $800,000 and less than $1,000,000.

Check how much you could save using the First Home Buyers Assistance calculator: https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/home-buying-assistance/first-home-buyers-assistance-scheme

CHRISTMAS MAIL UPDATE – If you wonder how long you have to get cards, parcels and presents into the mail this festive season, then Australia Post has provided the following advice.

To make sure everything arrives residents of New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia are encouraged to send items by Friday 20 December for  Regular Post and Monday 23 December for Express Post.

Christmas cards sent within Australia have a postage cost of 65 cents per item during November and December with overseas Christmas card postage $3 to anywhere in the world.

Australia Post has more information on Christmas lodgement dates, including international last sending dates at: https://auspost.com.au/sending/christmas-sending-dates

REGIONAL GRANTS OPEN – Applications are now open for grants from the NSW Government’s $50 million Community Investment Program. 

Between $250,000 and $1 million will be available for regional programs to improve service delivery and community connection and capacity building.

Businesses, consortiums, local government, associations, Aboriginal corporations, not for profits and other eligible applicants can apply for funding of initiatives that promote regional economic  development and support employment creation and retention.

This is the second round of funding released from the NSW Government’s $400 million Regional Development Trust, guided by the Regional Development Advisory Council and informed by  several roundtables with rural communities.

Applications close on Thursday, 20 February 2025 with more information available from: www.nsw.gov.au/regionaldevelopmenttrust

DECORATIVE ADVICE – Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is reminding residents to check that all decorative lights and electrical displays are in good working order before starting to put up  Christmas decorations.

Firefighters recommend people only use decorative lights that have an Australian Standards label and follow manufacturer’s instructions on setting up and operation.

Overloading or failing to check power boards and power points also poses real fire safety risks.

Synthetic Christmas trees can be highly flammable so lights and decorations designed for these types of trees should be used.

Additionally, decorative lights may become very hot so keep away from children and flammable materials such as wrapping paper, decorations or curtains and don’t leave burning candles  unattended.

Finally, ensure you switch off all electrical displays and decorative lights before going to bed.

For further information and fire safety tips visit the FRNSW website: www.fire.nsw.gov.au

FERAL PEST SURVEY – Local Land Services (LLS) wants landholders and property managers to provide input into its Feral Pig and Pest Impacts Survey.

The long-term feral pig impacts survey aims to measure the damage statewide but it’s vital to get firsthand reports to understand the impacts on farming land.

Participants provide essential data to track feral pig activity over time which helps the LLS better understand where control efforts are most needed and where collective efforts are yielding  positive results. 

For more information on feral pig management contact your local Biosecurity Officer or go to the Feral Pig and Pest Impacts Survey:  https://regionalnsw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ePr8mH9GNr0eMxU#atid=476ac375b51f4acf?utm_source=Hunter&utm_medium=email