As we start to see some adverse weather across our region, please ensure you keep up to date with the latest weather alerts.

The NSW State Emergency Service is the lead agency for flood and storm response: SES Homepage.

For emergency assistance during a flood or storm, call the NSW SES on 132 500.

For life-threatening emergencies phone 000.

Check live traffic and road updates here: Live Traffic.

To download the Hazards Near Me app for emergency updates: Hazards Near Me.

Northern Tablelands Electorate Woman of the Year

I am pleased to announce Penny Lamaro is the Northern Tablelands Electorate Woman of the Year.

The Armidale local has received the honour of being the Northern Tablelands’ Woman of the Year as part of the 2025 NSW Women of the Year Awards.

Penny has worked tirelessly at bettering the lives of people from all different backgrounds.

Penny is the chief executive officer at the Women’s Shelter Armidale, a community-owned crisis service which supports women fleeing violence in regional NSW.

As part of her work at the WSA, Penny has established a free meals project, a health clinic and a birth certificate and ID program.

She also spearheads Armidale’s Youth Hub which provides a safe space for young people.

Before taking on the leadership role at the Women’s Shelter, Penny spent nearly a decade working in youth homelessness where she wrote and developed therapy programs, including a dog therapy program.

Penny has never sought recognition for her work; she just wants to better people’s lives.

Penny attended the NSW Women of the Year Awards ceremony in Sydney on Thursday where she was a finalist in the NSW Regional Woman of the Year category.

On behalf of the Northern Tablelands, thank you Penny for your dedication and commitment to helping women and young people from across the region.

Long Lunch

Moree Public School P&C Association hosted a long lunch last weekend.

The Supporting the Now, Paving the Future Long Lunch was aimed at raising funds for inclusive playground upgrades, excursions and sporting team travel, school support programs, proposed kitchen facilities in the auditorium to enhance school and community events and much more.

The event was a huge success, raising around $75,000.

Congratulations to the Moree Public School P&C!

Proposed water-sharing plans

The NSW Government has undertaken further analysis of the wetland mapping following feedback from landholders and several regional MPs including me.

I recommend all landholders visit the Water NSW website, review the proposed maps and make a submission if they disagree with the updated mapping.

Plans to protect the wetlands include the management of the installation of pumps and impounding structures as well as the volume of licensed water that can be taken from wetlands.

There will also be a webinar on Wednesday, March 12 from 12.30pm – 1.30pm.

For more information, to view the maps, sign up for the webinar, and make a submission visit Water-Sharing Plans.

Submissions close on at 11.59pm on 23 March 2025.

Hunter New England Health Bill submissions open

Submissions are now open for the inquiry into the Health Services Amendment (Splitting of the Hunter New England Health District) Bill 2025.

The proposed Bill aims to dissolve the current Hunter New England Local Health District to establish two new districts – Hunter Local Health District and the New England Northwest Local Health District.

I want to advocate better healthcare outcomes because the New England and Northwest regions are the ones who are crying out for better healthcare services.

The inquiry allows the public to have input into the future of healthcare within the Hunter and New England regions.

To make a submission, visit: Submissions Page.

Show Season

The Inverell show last weekend was a great success and this week our attention turns to the 149th Armidale Show.

Don’t let the wet weather deter you, it is important to support our local shows and there’s plenty of indoor events.

ePetition

Phebe Furneaux’s ePetition requesting the NSW Government debate the ongoing crime crisis in regional NSW has hit its target of 20,000 signatures.

Her ePetition is seeking to:

• Strengthen bail laws to prevent violent young offenders from re-offending
• Provide increased resources and support for police officers to effectively apprehend and prosecute offenders; and
• Review the judicial system to prioritise community safety

The ePetition will now have to be scheduled for debate.

Congratulations to Phebe Furneaux and the people of regional NSW for standing up to be heard.

Glen Innes community forums

I met with leaders from the Glen Innes community to discuss healthcare and community safety. It was great to catch-up and discuss those important topics.

Transport for NSW Glen Innes regional community forum event

On Tuesday, March 25 at 4.30pm Transport for NSW will hold a community forum event at the Glen Innes Town Hall.

For more information and to register visit: Glen Innes Regional Community Forum Registration Survey

Qantas Regional Grant program

The Qantas Regional Grants program offering $2 million in support to Australian-based communities and projects.

The program is in its fourth year and provides financial, flight and marketing support to charities, organisations, projects and individuals.

For more information or to apply visit: Qantas Grants

Commentary by Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands