A total of $500,000 was secured to upgrade Inverell Library and modernise the current space.

The last time the library was upgraded was nearly 20 years ago and it is now beginning to show signs of wear and tear.

The existing metal shelving will be replaced, the current chairs and tables updated, the junior section revamped and new carpet will be laid.

This is great news for the Inverell community.

NSW Budget

The 2026-27 Budget was handed down on Tuesday and presents a mixed picture for the Northern Tablelands and wider regional NSW.

There are some positives to come out of it but there are definite shortfalls in other areas.

The continued redevelopment of the Moree and Glen Innes hospitals has been secured with funding allocated. This a step in the right direction.

The construction of Moree should be completed by early next year and work at Glen Innes should start to ramp up this year. Now we need the government to commit to staffing our hospitals adequately.

In terms of pre-schools, Inverell will receive a new public preschool which will enter the planning stage this year, and the completion of the new preschools at Warialda and Toomelah has been secured.

There’s also been $100 million allocated for roads in addition to the usual road maintenance budget, $5.5 million for the Pindari Dam cold water pollution project, $6 million for social housing and continued funding secured for the Moree Special Activation Precinct.

Although there are positives, crime and agriculture missed out while $157 million has been cut from Local Land Services and the Rural Assistance Authority.

Only $16.3 million has been allocated for feral pig control and pest management which is nowhere near enough to put a dent in the numbers.

The cattle tick program was allocated $7 million which falls short of what is needed and means operators will be forced continue to shoulder the costs of controlling the spread of the parasite.

The varroa mite incursion is escalating rapidly and there has been no mention of a concentrated control program to stop the spread in the budget.

Nearly half of New South Wales is drought-affected but the Minns Labor Government has again failed to provide support to farmers.

Clontarf visits Parliament

It was great to have the Clontarf group from Inverell High School visit NSW Parliament this week.

The Clontarf Foundation engages with young people to encourage them to attend school, learn new skills and seek employment following school.

The IHS program has a 90 per cent school attendance rate which proves just how well the program works.

Walcha transmission line corridor petition debate

Hundreds of farmers from Walcha and the Upper Hunter made their way to Macquarie Street on Thursday for the debate on the petition to reject the new transmission line corridor Walcha to Bayswater.

The corridor travels through prime agricultural land and farms which have been in families for generations.

I presented the petition to Parliament and spoke on behalf of the 22,000 people who signed it.

Along with myself, the Member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell, Member for Bathurst Paul Toole, Member for Coffs Harbour and NSW Nationals leader Gurmesh Singh, and Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson stood up and spoke to fight for the people of regional New South Wales.

Bizarrely, the Minns Labor Government only allowed one of their members to speak, and the rest of the Government failed to show up to the chamber for the debate.

The people who travelled seven hours to pack the gallery and witness the debate should have been treated with more respect than what was shown in the chamber on Thursday.

Coalition energy plan

The NSW Nationals and Liberals’ have established a new energy plan which supports a balanced energy mix of coal, gas and renewables while reducing the scope and impact of the New England Renewable Energy Zone.

Renewable energy remains part of the Coalition’s energy mix. The key difference in our approach is ensuring the transition is fairer and more balanced for regional communities.

The plan aims to achieve a cheaper, better and fairer energy system for NSW by utilising a mix of coal, gas and renewables.

Our plan recognises that communities across the New England would carry a disproportionate share of the burden through large-scale renewable developments and transmission infrastructure proposals.

We believe metropolitan areas and major energy users should also contribute to meeting the state’s energy needs, rather than concentrating impacts in a handful of regional communities.

Under our approach, the New England Renewable Energy Zone remains a part of the state’s future energy system but it would be developed in a more sustainable way with greater consideration given to our scarce water resources, community impacts, cumulative impacts land use, agricultural productivity and social licence.

We support a balanced energy mix that includes renewables, alongside reliable coal and gas generation, to ensure energy security while reducing pressure on regional communities.

We are not walking away from the REZ but rather we aim to do it in a fairer and more sustainable way.

Parliament sittings

It was a busy week in Parliament this week with the debate on the transmission corridor, unveiling the Coalition’s energy plan, and the 2026-2027 NSW Budget being handed down.

I delivered Community Recognition Statements on Inverell Art Gallery, Vale Emmaville’s Ronnie Jillett, Walcha Yarn Bombing, Moree veterinarian Charlie Bunce, PLC Armidale’s hiking group, Moree’s Bronte King, County of Burnett Branch CWA, Inverell Eisteddfod Society, and PLC Armidale’s Classroom to Community.

I tabled Questions On Notice in relation to the police drone trial in Moree, TAFE courses in regional NSW, wind farms, the NSW Cross Border Commissioner, Service NSW in Inverell, patient transfers numbers across our electorate, firearms licences, housing, and the Land Management (Native Vegetation) Code 2018.

In terms of Bills I spoke in support of the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 and the Crimes Amendment (Breaking and Entering Offences) Bill 2026, my Notice Of Motion requested the government reinstate the funding for BackTrack’s teaching position.

Armidale to Port Macquarie bus service

The new Armidale to Port Macquarie bus service begins operation next Wednesday, July 1.

The coach departs from the Armidale Railway Station at 9.18am.

Full price tickets are $34.15 each way however concessions rates are available for pensioners.

Tickets can be purchased online via Transport for NSW HERE or over the phone on 13 22 32 between 7am and 10pm daily.

Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Armidale Railway Station from Monday to Friday between 7.30am and 11.30am, and 2pm and 5.30pm.

What’s on

June 28: Ashford Golf Club clinics. Juniors 10.30-11.30 and women’s beginner clinic 12.30-1.30.

July 1: The Australian Army Band Newcastle is coming to Glen Innes for a special one-off performance between midday and 1pm at Glen Innes Town Hall.

July 2: Stronger Farms Workshop from 10am to  2:30pm at Rydges Armidale. Tickets HERE.

July 3-4: Bingara’s Annual Orange Picking Ceremony and Orange Festival.

July 4: Mungindi races will be held at the Mungindi Showgrounds.

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

Crown Reserves Improvement Fund

Applications are now open for the 2026-2027 Crown Reserves Improvement Fund.

Grants are available for general projects and pest and weed management projects.

Apply now or find out more HERE.

Applications close 5pm, Friday, July 24, 2026

Commentary by Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands