MP Says More Can Be Done As Muswellbrook Hospital Expansion Continues

BY RUBY VAN DE WIJGAART

Construction on Muswellbrook Hospital's community health space is now complete. 

This $45 million upgrade is the third stage in the hospital's redevelopment, providing a range of services, including nursing care, childcare and allied health services.

Previous stages of development have seen the construction of a new emergency department, renal and infusion unit services, with the next stage to see the development of a new sterilisation department. 

The third stage of development aims to relieve pressure off other medical centers, giving Muswellbrook and surrounding areas access to more resources. 

However, Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell says more still needs to be done, including the installation of a 24-hour CT imaging service. 

"Having a 24-hour one [CT machine] would actually enable the hospital to be able to use that facility all the time," he said. 

"There is a lot of money going to Western Sydney, but we need to see regional health and those big investments here as well." 

According to the MP, Muswellbrook only has a private CT imaging services, only operational during normal business hours. 

He said patients requiring scans at hospital have to be transported via ambulance to Maitland, or are asked to have a relative or themselves drive instead, creating further pressure on the town's paramedic services. 

Muswellbrook Hospital. Picture: NSW Government

Brain-Eating Amoebas Stalling Push to Re-Open Lake Liddell

 BY CHARLIE PROUDLOCK

AGL is continuing to refuse pushes to reopen Lake Liddell, with deadly brain-eating amoebas still believed to be inhabiting the waterway.

The man-made lake was created back in the late 1960s, as an extension of the now-partially destroyed Liddell Power Station.

It was shut in 2016, after an initial discovery of the rare Naegleria Fowleri amoeba.

The organism is commonly found in warm freshwater bodies and can cause a severe brain infection if water containing it enters the nose while swimming.

Despite the risk, many boaters and fishers are pushing for the Lake to be reopened to the public for recreational use.

Among those backing the push is Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell who said AGL needs to work quickly to re open the once popular public waterway.

"It's about continuing the conversation with AGL and making sure they are aware the community is still agitating to get the lake back," he said.

"Right now, there's a certain amount of trust between the community and AGL that they're doing the right thing and they're doing the right measures to make sure it can be used in the future.

"It's about trust and it's about working together."

AGL is continuing to monitor Lake Liddell for the amoebas, with the energy giant stating several seasons of water sampling are required to better understand it's condition.

Both the lake and nearby site of the power station remain under a contamination audit, as part of a state application to demolish and rehabilitate the location. 

As a result, further testing is required before any motion to publicly re-open the lake can commence.

Lake Liddell. Picture: Wikipedia

Dartbrook Mine Extension Creates Mixed Political Response

BY CHARLIE PROUDLOCK

The state Government has granted a six-year extension to the controversial Dartbrook coal mine in Muswellbrook, sparking debate amongst local political figures. 

It comes just a month after a it was revealed potential conflicts of interest took place within the site's financial operations. 

The facility has been running with a skeleton staff since it collapsed into insolvency last year, after it defaulted on a $202 million loan. 

Another $5 million is still owed to unsecured creditors, including local operators who have reported to be at  risk of bankruptcy if the lost funds are not re-couped.

Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell has labelled the decision a lost opportunity, arguing the extension should have been used as a bargaining chip to ensure that missing funds were repaid.

He said while he does welcome any extension, Dartbrook's future operators are on thin ice.

"I think what the whole region is hoping is that the mine does continue, but that it continues under new ownership," he said.

"At the moment it's under administration.

"We're really hoping that a reputable company comes in, buys the mine, the mining licence, takes over the mine and runs it properly." 

Meanwhile, Muswellbrook mayor Jeff Drayton is hopeful the facility's extension will benefit the local community.

"It may not have been approached as well as we might have wanted it to be, but hopefully someone who steps in is a miner," he said.

"When I say a miner, I mean someone who has been the industry a while and knows what they're doing.

"I think if that happens, it'll be a successful mine, and if it's a successful mine, we have local jobs and local procurement, which is certainly a win for the community." 

Over the course of this six-year extension, it's believed the mine will be able to extract an additional 36 million tonnes of coal.

Picture: Mining and Energy Union

Supermarkets Facing Multi-Billion Dollar Fines For Code Of Conduct Breaches

BY JACK SEYMOUR

Hunter shoppers and farmers could see fairer prices on supermarket shelves.

An independent review has found supermarket giants with an annual revenue of more than $5 billion should face heavy fines for failing to meet a mandatory code of conduct.

All 11 recommendations of the probe have the backing of the Federal Government, in an effort to increase competition in the grocery sector.

Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell says the proposal is a step towards ensuring farmers and shoppers are better protected.

"Some of these rules will make sure farmers are treated properly and will make sure we get a good price for those who produce our food, as well as making sure we have good prices for those who buy our food."

Upper Hunter MP Will Continue To Fight For The Return Of The Regional Seniors Travel Card

BY OLIVIA GOELDNER

The State Member for Upper Hunter has said he will continue to fight for the reinstatement of the Regional Seniors Travel Card. 

The $250 card provided a much-needed boost to the travel budget of seniors across the Hunter, allowing them to complete daily tasks like attending medical appointments or visiting family and friends. 

The card has since been scrapped in the current NSW budget, leaving many feeling left behind. 

Dave Layzell says a petition debate held on Monday advocating for the return of the vital resource was gagged in Parliament. 

"At the end of the day, there is one Government in charge at the moment and they are the ones who make the decision on  the card and they are the ones who've decided to cut the card, so were saying to them 'reverse that decision' because it is a popular card that does a lot for the community." 

He says he will continue to present the matter to Parliament next year, saying the needs of our seniors should no longer be ignored. 

"The enormous good this card does for our community means that we will continue to fight for our seniors."

Upper Hunter MP Hits Back At Coal Royalty Hike

BY HOLLY FISHLOCK

From July 1 next year, Hunter coal mines will be paying more royalties under a new scheme announced by the state government.

Royalties will increase by 2.6%, a move which has been slammed by Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell. 

While the NSW Government says the 2.6 percent increase will ensure the state receives a fair return for its resources, Mr. Layzell calls the increase an "outrageous lazy effort" to fund future budgets.

Mr. Layzell says the people of Singleton and Muswellbrook have been overlooked, despite providing over 50 percent of the state's annual coal royalty revenue.

"This is the time when we need the best infrastructure in NSW. In many regards, we don't have it up to normal standard. It's about making sure that royalties benefit those areas that earn them," Mr. Layzell said.

Mr. Layzell also reflected on the current scheme, saying it needs to be reworked to benefit areas bringing in significant amounts of revenue.

"The royalty system has been the same for a long time. It certainly needs to be looked at about how that system works for those areas that are actually earning the money," he said.

The State Government Approves Battery for Muswellbrook

BY JORDAN REGNIS 

Two new batteries are set to be built and operated in the states renewable energy zones, of Aspley and Muswellbrook.

It comes after the state government approved the projects, which involve the building and operation of 120-megawatt and 150-megawatt battery storage systems.

They are then set to be joined up with the current electrical network.

The projects are expected to create 132 jobs, and produce $280 million for the states economy.

Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell, said it will hopefully come online at a similar time to wind and solar farms in the area.

"We're providing a lot of power during the day, when the sun is shining, and these batteries soak up that power, and then at night when the sun isn't shining, deliver it back into our households," he said. 

"We've got to make sure we can store the energy, so we can use it for those peak hours between four and eight every evening."

As it stands there are 27 large-scale renewable energy, transmission lines and storage projects under assessment in the NSW planning system.

If approved they would supply 9 gigawatts of renewable energy and 5.5 megawatts of firming storage.

The battery is predicted to be operating towards the end of 2025 and will last for 20 years.

Image: The proposed location of the battery.

First Sod Turned on Muswellbrook Bypass

BY OLIVIA DILLON 

Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell has announced today, works on the Muswellbrook Bypass have commenced. 

He was joined by Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway for the announcement this morning.  

The contract for the project's early works has been granted to local Aboriginal-run business Fenech Demolition, which Mr Layzell said is an exciting step forward for the community. 

"The best way to close the gap is to empower Aboriginal businesses to get work, and make sure that they can employ other Indigenous workers," Mr Layzell said. 

Early works for the project will include demolishing houses along the route, and moving utilities around to make way for the bypass. 

It's expected Transport of NSW will develop a shortlist of tenders for the next phase of the project by the middle of the year. 

Image: Transport for NSW

New Muswellbrook Fire Station Set to Open Next Year

BY OLIVIA DILLON 

Construction of the new Muswellbrook Fire Station is currently underway. 

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke and Member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell visited the $3 million site today to observe its progress. 

Mr Layzell said it's coming along well. 

"This construction site is now at a stage where it has a concrete slab on the ground, it's got the steel frame up, and we're well on our way for the Fire and Rescue Station in Muswellbrook," he said. 

Plans for the site were revealed in November last year, following a string of devastating bushfires across the region in 2019 and 2020. 

The new Market Street station will feature a triple engine bay, training rooms, a fitness centre, and facilities for an on-site duty commander. 

Mr Layzell said it's exactly what the Muswellbrook LGA needs, and is a step in the right direction for the region. 

"A lot of the fire and rescue facilities need upgrades around the state and around the Hunter Valley and this is an important step forward. Muswellbrook Station is one of the biggest stations in our area and it's good to see our local firefighters have the facilities they need," he said. 

"It'll be finished in the early new year and we're all pretty excited to get the station operational for the Muswellbrook region."