I was pleased to announce $500,000 has been secured for major upgrades to the Glen Innes Library.

The funding came via the State Library of NSW Public Library Infrastructure Grants program which helps councils across the state improve facilities at their local libraries.

The Glen Innes Library hasn’t seen any updates since 2001 when it was relocated to its current space.

With this grant, the carpet will be completely replaced, the shelving which holds thousands of books will be overhauled, both the interior and exterior will be painted and a new soundproof room to allow for recording and podcasting will be installed.

It is a fantastic upgrade for this popular and well-loved facility.  I am sure the community will appreciate having modern facilities to use.

Feral animal control boost planned

The control and management of feral animals is an urgent problem for all primary producers across our state with current measures failing to properly address the scale of the problem.

In view of that, the NSW Coalition has decisively acted to commit $300 million to a biosecurity and control program for management of feral animals, including a feral pig-targeted bounty scheme.

These measures are aimed squarely at protecting our critical primary industries sector and conserve our environment.

Invasive species and biosecurity threats have become commonplace and feral pigs have a major impact on the farming sector, eating new-born lambs, damaging water sources, fences and pasture, and raiding agricultural crops.

We are all thoroughly sick of reviews, reports and roundtables that end up gathering dust on a shelf in Macquarie Street.

The Coalition plan includes more boots on the ground, five-year funding for pest animal control programs, in line with the Natural Resources Commission’s recommendation, increased funding for control programs, more and better traps, trial of a targeted bounty scheme for feral pigs, aerial shooting over more country for longer periods, thermal imaging and drone technology to detect and track pigs, exclusion fencing, support for baiting, shooting and trapping programs, increased legal requirements for public land managers to manage pest animals, more targeted research for biological and other novel controls and establishing permanent regional rapid response teams to target outbreaks before populations expand.

Senior’s Travel Card back on the cards

I’m thrilled to let you know that the Nationals have confirmed that if successful in next year’s election, we will bring back the very popular Regional Seniors Travel Card.

The Regional Seniors Travel Card provided eligible seniors in regional NSW with a $250 prepaid card for fuel, taxis, and pre-booked train or coach tickets before the current government pulled the plug on supporting regional seniors in 2023.

This was despite our petition to save it receiving more than 22,000 signatures.

We live in an incredible part of the world, but there is no doubt distance and isolation can be a challenge, especially for our seniors.

From 2020 to the axing of the program, 54,197 seniors across the Northern Tablelands used the card to the value of $7,342,825.  I’m determined to maintain pressure for its reintroduction.

Nominate for Best in Business now

Nominations are now open for the 2026 New England North West Business Awards.

The awards recognise excellence across businesses, employees and industries throughout the region and provide an opportunity to celebrate success, innovation and leadership.

I encourage businesses across our region to get involved and showcase their achievements, recognise their people and celebrate the important contribution they make to our local economy and communities.

Entries close on Monday 6 July 2026.

To submit an entry, access further information, or to have a look at past award-winning submissions, go to New England North West Business Awards.

If you need assistance with your entry, please contact Stephanie Cameron on 0447 061 545 or [email protected]

2027 Australian of the Year

Extraordinary Australians are all around us.

Australian of the Year Awards celebrate the achievements and contributions of extraordinary Australians.

You can play your part by giving these Australians the recognition they deserve.

The four Award categories are Australian of the Year; Senior Australian of the Year (those aged 65 years or over); Young Australian of the Year (ages 16 to 30); and Australia’s Local Hero.

Your nomination shows the efforts of a fellow Australian have not gone unnoticed.

Nominations for 2027 close Friday, July 31, 2026.

Nominate today at 2027 Australian of the Year Nominations.

Parliament next week

I am headed to Sydney for the final sitting week of June and it will be a big week with the Budget being handed down on Tuesday.

I am also looking forward to leading a debate in parliament next Thursday, 25 June, to reject the EnergyCo transmission line corridor from Walcha.

This arises from an e-petition co-launched by the Walcha High Country Guardians that secured more than 22,000 signatures earlier this year.

The debate is scheduled for late on Thursday afternoon and I am looking forward to welcoming supporters of the petition to the public gallery at Parliament House.

What’s on

June 20: Watch the FIFA World Cup match between the Socceroos and USA live on the big screen at Armidale Town Hall at 5am.

June 20: Uralla Arts Winter Solstice Celebration at The Glen, Barleyfields Road, Uralla, from 4.30pm.

June 20: Talmoi picnic races at Garah.

June 20: Glen Innes School of Arts and Music Open Day at 181 Bourke Street from 10am until 3pm.

June 24: Farming Through the Dry Cycle Community Information Session at Guyra Bowling Club from 10am until 1pm. Cost is free and lunch is provided.

June 28: Ashford Golf Club clinics. Juniors from 10.30am to 11.30am and women’s beginner clinic from 12.30pm to 1.30pm.

July 3: Bingara’s Annual Orange Picking Ceremony and Orange Festival on Saturday, July 4.

July 4: Mungindi races at the Mungindi Showground and racecourse.

July 11-12: Walcha Winterfest – celebrating winter Walcha-style.

Commentary by Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands