NSW Parliament resumed this week for the first week of October sittings.

I delivered Community Recognition Statements on Walcha CWA, Sapphire Speed Shear, Inverell’s Josh Cathie, Mungindi Cotton Growers Association, Warialda Cultural Community Centre, Bingara Westpac Helicopter Support Group, Moree’s Kamala Wheeler, Walcha’s Lacey Newton, and the Bundarra Garden Festival.

This week I tabled Questions On Notice on the New England REZ, nurse incentives, and anaesthetic services.

My Private Members’ Statement was on regional electricity transmission lines and the complete lack of consultation in changing the transmission line route.

On the eve of the October long weekend, EnergyCo announced they would be changing the transmission line from Bayswater Power Station at Muswellbrook and the central south hub near Walcha. EnergyCo failed to properly consult with impacted farmers, Walcha Council or myself.

This route is also going to significantly damage habitats of koalas. Not only that, but it is also bad in bushfires due to the rough terrain and the line is pencilled to cut through airstrips.

It will also decimate property values. I am committed to continue fighting for farmers and landholders who are impacted by this.

Wednesday saw a public interest debate on renewable energy.

I moved a motion to condemn the Minns Labor Government for the lack of consultation in relocating the transmission route.

Fair go for our pre-schools

Hundreds of teachers, educators and supporters gathered outside of NSW Parliament on Wednesday for a Day of Action demanding pay parity and recognition for the work they do.

Community run pre-schools are fundamental to our regional towns and their early childhood teachers and educators are incredibly dedicated and important.

But they are not being treated fairly and are currently earning up to 35 per cent less than government pre-schools.

The Minns Labor Government needs to step up properly recognise and respect the vital role community pre-schools play in our kids’ early education.

I will continue to advocate for our pre-schools in NSW Parliament because they are so crucial to our communities across the Northern Tablelands.

Yarrowitch funding

More than $13,500 from the Community Building Partnership program was secured for the Yarrowitch Public Hall and Recreation Reserve to go towards purchasing a new ride-on lawnmower to maintain the grounds and reduce the risk of grass fires.

The Hall and Recreation Reserve is the pride of the tight-knit Yarrowitch community and is a central meeting point for gatherings, events and emergency situations.

I visited Yarrowitch to check out the new mower and meet with community members. It was excellent to catch up and I look forward to my next visit.

Glen Innes Hospital Redevelopment

Feedback submissions are open with the Glen Innes Hospital Redevelopment – Review of Environmental Factors on public display.

The community is invited to view and provide feedback on the planning documents, and to attend community information sessions to meet the project team and learn about the hospital redevelopment.

Information sessions are on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 1pm to 6pm at Glen Innes Hospital Lecture Room (top floor) and Thursday, November 6, 2025 from 8am to 1pm at Highlands Hub, 167 Grey Street.

You can also view the documents and provide your feedback at Glen Innes Hospital Redevelopment Review.

Moree Hospital Redevelopment arts program

There are opportunities for artists and community members to get involved in the hospital redevelopment by submitting expressions of interest for welcome artwork and art in clinical areas of the hospital.

The aim of the arts program is to create a unique identity and a welcoming space for patients, staff and the community.

For more information and to submit expressions of interest, visit Moree Hospital Redevelopment Arts Program.

Service NSW mobile centres

Service NSW is bringing their mobile service centre to Yetman, Ashford and Deepwater.

The mobile service centre can help with driver knowledge tests, drivers licence applications and renewals, working with children check, birth, death, and marriage certificates, and more.

The mobile service centre will be at Yetman Store car park, 1 River Street, on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 from 10am until 3pm.

The mobile service centre will be at School Tennis Courts, 39 Albury Street, Ashford on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 from 10am until 3pm.

The mobile service centre will be at Apex Park, 30 Young Street, Deepwater on Thursday, November 20, 2025 from 9am until 11.30am.

Infrastructure grants

Applications for the Clubgrants Category 3 Fund will open on 24 November.

Grants vary from $50,000 and are up to $300,000 for community spaces (available to the public). Now is the time to start putting together your applications for submission as the window is very short. Please my contact my office for a letter of support.

For more information and eligibility, visit Clubgrants Category 3 Fund.

What’s On

October 17: Armidale Creative Streets Festival 2025. Information: Creative Streets Festival 2025.

October 17: Sapphire City Festival, Inverell. Information: Inverell Sapphire City Festival.

October 18-19-24-26-31 and November 2: Peter Pan presented by the High Country Theatre at the Lodge, 119a Barney St, Armidale. Tickets available at Peter Pan Tix.

October 18: Holy Trinity Race Day at Inverell Racecourse.

October 23-25: The Revue a Musical Time Machine at Armidale Town Hall. Proceeds to Dementia Australia. Tickets available at Musical Time Machine Tix.

October 25: Uralla Thunderbolt’s Festival.

Commentary by Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands