State Matters – A Weekly Bulletin from Dave Layzell MP

Member for Upper Hunter – 16 March 2026

FUEL WARNING – NSW POLICE Rural Crime Prevention Team is urging rural landowners to be vigilant with monitoring fuel tanks as the  price of petroleum products increases.

Officers advise that strategies to help strengthen your resilience against fuel theft include installing surveillance cameras, securing the bowser handle with a lock, and keeping detailed records of all fuel usage using the NSW Police Force Fuel Theft Report.

If you are a victim of rural fuel theft, report it to your local police station or call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.

Information about fuel theft in your area can also be reported to Crime Stoppers NSW on 1800 333 000.

The Fuel Theft Report is available from the NSW Police Force website: www.police.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/527095/fuel_form.pdf

The Rural Crime Prevention Team’s bottom line is that times are hard, so give crooks a hard time by reporting rural crime.

TRAFFIC CHANGES – Preparation begins this week for an impending traffic switch as part of the construction of the Singleton Bypass.

Transport for NSW has advised out of hours work will happen on the New England Highway, Whittingham from 6pm Monday 16 March to  7am Thursday 2 April, weather permitting.

The work will involve barrier installation, asphalting, line marking and installation of signage, with motorists advised there could be traffic  delays of up to 10 minutes, lane closures and reduced speed limits.

The date for the traffic switch onto the first section of the bypass is planned for late March or early April.

Further along the bypass corridor, roadwork will be carried out on Putty Road, Glenridding from 6pm Friday 20 March to 6am Monday 23  March, weather permitting.

Once works are completed, there will be changed traffic conditions as vehicles use a new section of Putty Road, connecting to the Singleton  Bypass.

For the latest traffic updates, call 132 701 or visit livetraffic.com: www.livetraffic.com.

ANOTHER RFS UPGRADE – Howes Valley has become the latest Upper Hunter Electorate RFS Brigade to take delivery of a new fire  truck.

The new vehicle replaces the Howes Valley Brigade’s second 26-year-old appliance which has served the brigade and the community south of  Singleton well.

The brand new appliance features updated crew safety systems, lighting package and livery.

RFS District Manager Steve Kada described the new appliance as a huge improvement over the old truck, and pretty hard to miss.

Howes Valley’s new vehicle adds to recent upgrades across the Hunter Valley RFS fleet with Scotts Flat and Goorangoola Brigades taking  delivery of new Category 7 tankers in recent months.

MUSWELLBROOK HIGH PROJECT – Muswellbrook High School will benefit from a NSW Government investment to expand high potential and gifted education programs across the state.

The school is among 33 High Potential and Gifted Education Partner Schools that will share in the $100 million initiative.

Muswellbrook High School will receive upgraded creative and performing arts facilities as part of the program.

Meantime, despite the construction of 12 new public preschools now being underway across the Hunter, none of the preschools are being  built at schools in the Upper Hunter Electorate.

MOBILE OUTAGE – Telstra mobile customers who rely on the Leconfield mobile base station near Branxton are being advised of a planned outage next week.

The upgrade to 4G and 5G services will temporarily affect mobile services in the area while the upgrade work is underway.

The Leconfield site will need to be switched off at different times between Monday 23 March and Sunday 29 March.

Landline services, NBN, satellite internet services, and mobile coverage from other providers will not be impact by these works.

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

OMBUDSMAN AT SHOW – The Electricity and Water Ombudsman of NSW (EWON) will have its Renewable Energy Infrastructure Team at the Upper Hunter Show, Muswellbrook later this week.

EWON wants to talk about renewable energy infrastructure and how it can help with its expanded service.

The Upper Hunter visit by the Ombudsman follows the recent publication of an Impact Report on its first 12 months of managing complaints  and engaging with communities about Renewable Energy Infrastructure.

EWON can also talk about energy and gas bills, provide information on energy saving tips and suggest concessions and rebates.

So, grab your recent electricity bills and head to Muswellbrook Showground, on Friday 20 March, to meet with the EWON team from 9am.

If you can’t make it to the Upper Hunter Show on Friday, check: www.ewon.com.au

FIXING TELCO ISSUES – If you are dealing with phone or internet problems, how do you fix telco problems faster?

Before you contact the Telecommunication Industry Ombudsman, the TIO says it’s important to give your telco a chance to fix the problem.

A quick checklist starts with contacting your telco first, be available and keep in touch with your service provider, give your telco a chance to  fix the problem – then, if you’re getting nowhere, ask the TIO for help.

And, the Ombudsman has revealed it has made a submission to Treasury’s consultation on introducing new laws to support banning unfair  trading practices by telcos.

The TIO will support proposed changes to the Australian Consumer Law that aim to strengthen protections against unfair trading practices  which include new rules to make subscription contracts fairer and to stop drip pricing.

It argues when consumers sign up for a phone or internet service, most people expect clear information and fair treatment, which includes  knowing what you signed up for, what it costs and what the options are if your situation changes.

Discover more about the Telecommunication Industry Ombudsman’s work at: www.tio.com.au

SOCK IT TO ‘EM! – This Saturday, March 21, is World Down Syndrome Day and we are being asked to pull-up our socks to support those  who live with Down Syndrome.

The theme for 2026 is Together Against Loneliness, which highlights the importance of reducing social isolation and building real, inclusive  friendships.

A simple way to get involved is to buy and wear Down Syndrome NSW socks.

The range includes Hoppy Steps, Happy Steps, Upward Steps, Colour Me UP, UP! Not Down, The Only Way is UP and for AFL fans Sydney  Checkered and Sydney Swan Stripes.

Every pair sold supports vital programs and advocacy across NSW, creating more welcoming spaces and meaningful relationships.

Posisocks is partnering with Down Syndrome NSW to support the initiative for a more inclusive world.

Discover more about Down Syndrome at: www.downsyndromensw.org.au and to sock-UP: www.posisocks.com/collections/down-syndrome-nsw/DSNSW

NEW RESEARCH – The NSW Parliamentary Research Service has published a new paper on pseudolaw and  sovereign citizens.

The report is authored by University of NSW Faculty of Law and Justice, Associate Professor Harry Hobbs, who specialises in constitutional law and writes widely on public law, the rights of Indigenous peoples and micronations.

It outlines pseudolaw and its origins, sets out common features and beliefs, and explores factors for its spread in NSW and Australia, explaining why pseudolaw can draw in a diverse spectrum of individuals and communities despite consistently failing in courts.

While the scale of the phenomenon is difficult to precisely identify, the paper discusses its impacts and ways to respond.

To access the research paper go to: www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/news/Pages/pseudolaw.aspx

TOW RIGHT – Hunter Councils with the support of Transport for NSW is hosting workshops in the MidCoast, Cessnock, Maitland and Port  Stephens council areas on safe caravan towing.

Registration is now open for the free workshop at the Maitland City Council Administration Centre on Sunday, 12 April, 10am-1pm.

If you are wanting to buy your dream van but haven't got much experience with towing, own your own caravan but have questions  about weight, this is the opportunity to learn about safe loading and towing of caravans and trailers.

The interactive three-hour workshops provide information and demonstrations to support caravan safety and learning safe towing practices  from the experts at Tow-Ed.

Bookings are essential, so reserve your spot by registering online at: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/caravan-safety-workshop-tickets-1983416726822

APPLY NOW! – Tourism and hospitality operators are being encouraged to enter the Hunter Region Business Hub’s Business Excellence  Awards.

Now in their 31st year, the event has built a reputation as the Hunter’s premier business awards.

Venues, accommodation providers, tour operators, cellar doors, attractions and event businesses delivering quality visitor experiences are  urged to submit their entries by 30 March.

Winner will be announced during a Gala Dinner on Friday 29 May at Ben Ean, Pokolbin.

For details on the awards, go to: www.huntervalleyhub.com.au/business-community/awards/

WINE LIST SPOTLIGHT – Entries are also now open for the 2026 NSW Sommelier’s Wine List Awards.

Restaurants, bars, pubs, hotels, clubs, caterers, and function venues, with wine lists of all sizes considered, are urged to enter provided they  demonstrate a genuine commitment to NSW producers and thoughtful wine curation.

The awards are free to enter with categories for Regional NSW Venues of less than 60 seats and more than 61 seats.

From the seven categories, one overall winner will be selected and awarded the ultimate title of 2026 NSW Sommelier’s Wine List of the  Year.

The winners will be announced in June, so enter by 15 April at: www.nswwine.com.au/pages/nsw-sommeliers-wine-list-awards

FISHING FEEDBACK – Anglers are currently being asked for their input on enhancing recreational fishing in NSW.

The NSW Government has worked closely with the Recreational Fishing NSW Advisory Council to develop the draft Enhancing Recreational  Fishing in NSW Action Plan 2026–2031.

The five-year plan will guide development of future programs and activities to make fishing even better, now and into the future.

Recreational fishing is an important part of life for many people across the state by supporting local communities, boosting health and  enjoyment, and connecting people with the environment.

Participant feedback will be used to develop a final version of the Plan and to help shape the future of recreational fishing in NSW, so have  your say: www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/rec-fishing-ap

PRIZE LAUNCH – This year’s Muswellbrook Art Prize exhibition launch will take place on Saturday, 21 March, from 4pm at Muswellbrook  Regional Arts Centre.

Finalists for the 2026 Prize are vying for a total of $70,000 prize money across three acquisitive prize categories with the winners unveiled  during this weekend’s launch event.

Since 1958, the Muswellbrook Art Prize has grown and evolved into one of the richest prizes for painting in regional Australia with $50,000  for the selected painting and $10,000 each for the Works on Paper and Ceramics prizes.

The exhibition can be viewed Monday to Saturday, 10am-4pm, from 19 March to 23 May: https://artgallery.muswellbrook.nsw.gov.au

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