Member for Oxley Michael Kemp and I are putting pressure on the NSW Government to commit to a plan to fix the repeated disruptions on Waterfall Way after another landslip has closed the road and it isn’t anticipated to re-open until early February.

When it rains, landslips occur regularly along this road and the government’s solution is ineffective patch-up jobs.

Waterfall Way is a major route which connects the Northern Tablelands to the east coast for commercial, agricultural and tourist operations.

When it closes, operations are either forced to stop or take a much longer route.

We have requested the government to come up with a long-term plan to make this road safer, stronger, and more reliable.

Another landslip has closed Waterfall Way. The road isn’t anticipated to re-open until early February.

Deepwater Cup

The Deepwater Cup will be on this Saturday with the first race at 1.30pm.

It is a great country race day and always draws a big crowd. There are six races on offer with the main Cup race the fifth of the day at 3.50pm.

Get along and support the Deepwater Jockey Club for the race that stops the nation.

Gwydir funding

I caught up with Gwydir Shire Council mayor Tiff Galvin to inspect projects at the Roxy Theatre, Riverbank, and The Living Classroom. These landmarks are all very important to the community and are incredibly important to keep them maintained. It was great to see progress being made.

Blackbird Flat and Flying Fox Cutting works

Work at two sections of the Armidale-Kempsey Road will be conducted for six weeks from 27 January as part of the NSW Government’s Fixing Local Roads Program. The sealed pavement at Blackbird Flat will be extended. Flying Fox Cutting will also have sealed pavement extended and stormwater culverts replaced. Please obey signage, slow down and drive to the conditions.

Disaster declarations for Gwydir and Uralla

Huge storms ripped through the Gwydir Shire and Uralla on November 26 last year destroying property and wreaking havoc. The NSW Government has declared both council areas as natural disaster zones and assistance is available.

These include Individual assistance via grants for low income, uninsured residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living; grants for low income, uninsured residents to undertake essential structural repairs to homes damaged by the disaster event; primary producers and small businesses: concessional loans up to $130,000, and transport subsidies up to $15,000; counter disaster operations; an restoration of essential public assets.

Applications can be made through Service NSW.

Northern Express bus

A new bus service from Armidale to Stanthorpe has begun operations.

Trips from Glen Innes to Stanthorpe, and return, will operate on Mondays and Fridays while the bus will conduct runs from Glen Innes to Armidale, and return, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Bookings are essential and can be made at Northern Express Bus Service.

Congratulations to the operators for getting this service up and running.

Moree water restrictions

Moree residents will have level five water restrictions in place for two days from 11pm Tuesday,  January 27 until 11pm Thursday, January 29.

The restrictions are due to essential water main replacement work on the Edward Street distribution main.

The restrictions mean only essential household water usage is permitted with the watering of gardens and lawns, washing of vehicles and pavements, filling of swimming pools, fountains and ponds all banned.

Please keep showers to less than four minutes and clothes washing for essential items only.

Rural Women’s Network Skills Roadshow

The Rural Women’s Network Skills Roadshow aims to upskill women living in regional New South Wales. The roadshow is free First Aid and Mental Health training in eight different locations in New South Wales.

The Northern Tablelands will host a workshop at the Glen Innes and District Community centre on 6 and 7 February.

To register visit Rural Women’s Network Skills Roadshow.

Community Building Partnership applications

Applications for the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership program are anticipated to open soon.

Now is the time for not-for-profit organisations to start pulling together their applications for community infrastructure projects that deliver positive social, environmental and recreational outcomes while also promoting community participation, inclusion and cohesion.

To sign up for alerts about the next round of CBP funding, please visit Community Building Partnership.

ePetition for the rejection of the new transmission line corridor

Anna Young from Walcha has launched a Parliamentary ePetition which opposes the re-routed transmission corridor from Bayswater to Walcha.

It needs 20,000 to be debated in Parliament. To view and sign, visit New Transmission Line Corridor Rejection.

 What’s on

January 14-26: Guyra’s Lamb and Potato Festival

January 24: Deepwater Cup at Deepwater Racecourse

January 26: Australia Day events. Visit your local council’s website or socials for information on events.

Commentary by Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands