Muster Up Delungra held a comedy night with the hilarious Peter Rowsthorn last Saturday. It was a great event with Inverell’s Smo-KING Barbeque providing dinner and Topper’s Mountain Wines of Tingha supplying a good drop.

Parliamentary sittings

The October sittings have now wrapped up and it was a busy two weeks in Parliament.

During the sittings I put 11 questions on notice about issues that have been raised with me during my travels across our electorate.

I spoke for the NSW Nationals in the Public Interest Debate on children’s use of social media, I spoke on the Agriculture Commissioner Bill, I delivered two private members statements on Bio Security and the winter crop harvest, and I delivered 21 Community Recognition Statements.

I also met with several Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaires, and constituent groups during my two weeks in Parliament.

Welcoming His Honour John Arms to the region

I would like to welcome His Honour John Arms as the new magistrate for Moree and Inverell.

Magistrate Arms has been appointed to the Moree-Inverell Local Court circuit and will serve for the next 18 months.

I would like to thank outgoing magistrate, Her Honour Catherine Samuels, for her work in the region and wish her luck upon her return to the Sydney metropolitan area.

Magistrate Arms has a wealth of experience and knowledge in a legal career which spans more than four decades.

He began his legal career in 1983 in the then Magistrates Courts Administration unite in the Department of Attorney General and Justice before serving as a clerk at various local courts.

In 1998 he was appointed Registrar of Gosford, a position which he held until 2017 where he took up private practice.

Last year Magistrate Arms was sworn into the Local Court.

Having worked as a solicitor for 20 years, I understand the importance of the courts and judiciary.

I welcome the appointment of Magistrate Arms.

I support the push to legalise virtual fencing

The committee on Investment, Industry and Regional Development tabled their report on the parliamentary inquiry into the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Virtual Stock Fencing) Bill 2024 to legalise virtual fencing.

The inquiry recommended virtual fencing technology be legalised in NSW.

Having grown up on a cattle property, I understand the benefits this technology would have on the agricultural sector.

Virtual fencing uses GPS, wireless devices and sensors to confine and move livestock without physical fences. This would allow for better pasture management, cost savings through reducing the need for physical fences, identifying sick animals and preventing the spread of disease as well as managing stock in extreme weather.

The inquiry considered animal welfare risks and it was recommended a mandatory code of practice is put in place alongside the introduction of virtual fencing.

I have urged the NSW Government to implement the recommendations to help our farmers and benefit the agricultural sector.

Rockvale Road to be made safer

It is great to hear more than $4 million will be spent on upgrading Rockvale Road at Aberfoyle.

Two-thirds of NSW road fatalities are in regional and remote areas.

We rely on country roads to connect us to services and economic centres so making sure they are as safe as possible is very important.

The $4,249,093 in funding has been allocated to Armidale Regional Council and will be spent on a road realignment and the installation of a roadside safety barrier.

ADHD outreach clinic coming to Moree

Children between six and 12 will have increased access to support for A new outreach service to support for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with an outreach clinic coming to Moree.

Two paediatricians, a clinical nurse consultant, and shared care coordinator from John Hunter Children Hospital’s ADHD Clinic, supported by Little Wings, will offer an initial one-day clinic on 5 November with more to follow in coming months. The paediatricians will provide and assessment and diagnosis followed by a care plan.

Eligible patients on Moree Hospital’s existing general paediatric waitlist have been contacted to book in an appointment.

Service NSW is coming to Pallamallawa and Ashford

The Service NSW Mobile Service will be in Pallamallawa on 27 October 10am to 3pm near Pally Pub, 59 Bingera Street.

They will also be at Ashford 28 October 9am to 12pm at the School Tennis Courts, 39 Albury Street.

Australian Cricket Infrastructure Funding (ACIF) grants closing Tuesday

Applications for Round 1 of the 2024 Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund are open and will close on 29 October.

The grants are aimed at community cricket facility upgrades with a focus on growing participation, accessibility and inclusivity.

Visit www.cricketnsw.com.au/grants to apply.

Crown Reserves Improvement Fund applications are open

The Crown Reserves Improvement Fund (CRIF) will offer around $10m in grants to support Crown Land Managers across NSW.

Crown reserves are public land set aside by the government for community use for purposes such as recreation or to protect sensitive areas of environment.

Reserves provide land for recreational areas and infrastructure like sports-fields, parks, walking tracks and campgrounds.

They also provide land for community organisations and facilities like public halls, showgrounds, scout halls and racecourses.

For 2024-25, the funding round is for general, pest and weed projects.

Applications opened on 21 October and close on 22 November.

Visit www.reservemanager.crownland.nsw.gov.au/funding/crif.

Commentary by Member for Northern Tablelands, Brendan Moylan