REMEMBER & PREPARE
AS THE Hunter Valley marks the 70th anniversary of one of the most devastating natural disasters in its history, the Singleton community will this weekend focus on being prepared for the next event.
Images of the floodwater that caused destruction when the Hunter River broke its banks at Singleton on Thursday 24 February 1955 are on exhibition at the town’s public library, providing a poignant backdrop for the 2025 Singleton Emergency Services Expo.
Civic Park is the new location on Saturday 8 March, 9am-Noon, when the Singleton community will be encouraged to ‘Get Ready’ and learn about how to prepare for an emergency event.
A wide range of demonstrations and activities will include the NSW Police PolAir helicopter landing and a multi-agency demonstration by Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Ambulance, NSW State Emergency Service, NSW Police and electricity distributor Ausgrid.
For more on how to show your appreciation for the people who work tirelessly to keep our community safe visit: www.singleton.nsw.gov.au/expo2025
UPPER HUNTER FINALISTS
Congratulations to the Upper Hunter’s finalists in the NSW Women in Mining Awards to be presented in Sydney on Thursday 27 March.
Penny Woodward, Coal Handling and Preparation Plant Process Superintendent at Malabar Resources is in contention for the Exceptional Woman in Mining Award.
Also vying for the title is former Glencore Hunter Valley employee, Hope Mulvihill, who now works for Glencore Coal Assets.
Dartbrook Coal’s Siena Linforth, who handled project coordination responsibilities for a coal handling circuit which culminated in the first coal train departing Dartbrook in 20 years, is a finalist for the Exceptional Young Woman in Mining Award.
Glencore First Nations Pathway Program, which operations in the Hunter Valley, has been nominated for the Excellence in Diversity Programs and Performance.
Awards will also be presented for Exceptional Tradeswoman/Operator/Technician,
Exceptional Woman in Technological Innovation and the Inclusion and Diversity Champion.
Award winners go on to represent NSW at the Women in Resources National Awards hosted by the Minerals Council Australia.
SOON, BUT NOT YET!
By the calendar, autumn has arrived – sunrise is getting later and sunset is arriving earlier.
Despite the daily amount of sunlight reducing, Daylight Saving is not over yet, but the countdown has reached the final weeks.
Clocks can finally be adjusted on Sunday 6 April at 3am when Daylight Saving is switched off for a return to Eastern Standard Time.
So, get ready to turn the clock back one hour when, if only temporarily, there will be
more Autumnal daylight in the morning.
FOGO CONSULTATION
Public consultation is open for feedback on the NSW Government’s recent legislation to implement a statewide mandate for Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) recycling.
The legislation mandates FOGO collection services for households by July 2030, and for businesses and institutions in stages from July next year, to divert food waste from landfill into compost.
With FOGO taking up to a third of household red bin capacity, the legislation will help take some pressure off landfill disposal facilities.
FOGO bins will be rolled out at premises such as supermarkets, pubs, cafes, universities, schools, hotels and hospitals.
Large supermarkets will also be required to report on the amounts and types of surplus food donated to charities like OzHarvest, Second Bite and Foodbank.
To learn more about the rollout, visit FOGO mandates and rollout on the NSW EPA website: www.epa.nsw.gov.au
Have Your Say at the NSW Government’s consultation platform until Tuesday 8 April: www.nsw.gov.au/have-your-say
SINGLETON’S SUCCESS!
Singleton has been successful with three projects securing grants from the
Transgrid Community Partnerships Program.
Singleton Police Citizens Youth Clubs has funding for its Safer Driver education courses,
Singleton Rugby Club will undertake a solar panel upgrade and Creeks Cricket Club can now purchase an Automated External Defibrillator.
The Community Partnerships Program offers grants of up to $5,000 to not-for-profit organisations that are local to Transgrid’s planning, operations and major project areas.
Eligible community groups including not-for-profit organisations, sporting groups, men’s sheds and women’s organisations can apply for the next round when it opens in the first quarter of this year: www.transgrid.com.au/community/community-partnerships-program/
LOVE WATER
Hunter Water’s Love Water Grants are back offering $125,000 for projects focused on water conservation, sustainability and community wellbeing.
Community groups, schools, and not-for-profits can apply for grant funding of up to $10,000 to make a positive environmental impact.
Gresford District Community Group used the grant it received last year to upgrade Therese Doyle Hall with a rainwater tank and weatherproofing.
Applications close on Friday 14 March with more information on how to apply, at:
BUYER BEWARE
NSW Fair Trading is urging used-car buyers to check a vehicle’s history before purchase after it issued 28 fines in a month and a man was sentenced for unlicensed motor dealing and odometer tampering.
During the crackdown 54 penalty notices valued at more than $100,000 were issued in relation to car sales and repairs with more than half were for odometer interference.
Used vehicle buyers are being advised to research the car’s history to ensure it has no outstanding finance, has not been written off in a crash, and has accurate odometer readings.
The NSW Government offers a free vehicle registration check where prospective buyers have access to a NSW-registered vehicle’s previous three annual odometer readings, as well as basic details like vehicle make, registration and insurance history.
To check registration, including odometer reading visit the Service NSW website or the Service NSW App: www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/check-a-vehicle-registration
For information on consumer protections relating to purchasing a used vehicle visit the NSW Fair Trading website: www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/buying-and-selling-vehicles/buying-a-used-vehicle
FLOOD KNOWLEDGE NEEDED
Residents of Clarence Town and the surrounding area are being asked by Dungog Shire Council to provide input into a flood study by the end of March.
The study will improve Council’s understanding of flood behaviour and impacts as well as help better manage flood risks and planning in the future.
While previous studies have been conducted, past studies are now outdated and there is currently no comprehensive investigation covering all flood causes and processes in the area.
A key component of the study is flood mapping and the identification of properties at risk through a process known as flood tagging.
Anyone who can contribute is encouraged to pick up a paper copy of the survey at the Clarence Town Post Office or Dungog Shire Council Administration building.
To complete the survey online visit the Dungog Shire Council website: www.dungog.nsw.gov.au/floodstudy
PET REGISTER
Improvements to the digital NSW Pet Registry now make it easier to register your pet, report a missing pet and keep track of key events in your pet’s life.
Owners of microchipped cats and dogs can access the Pet Registry with their Service NSW login and pay the registration fee online without having to visit their local council to lodge paperwork.
The registry also provides instant online transfer of ownership, real-time email or SMS reminders for desexing, as well as making it easier to update information like change of address.
Users can also create a profile for their pet with information that could help if they go missing, including the ability to add photos and contact details.
Microchipping and registration are compulsory in NSW for cats and dogs, so if you adopt a cat or dog from a council pound or designated rehoming organisation they should already be microchipped and are eligible for free registration.
For more information about the NSW Pet Registry visit:
FISH STOCKING
Funding is now available for fishing clubs and native fish stocking groups to restock regional rivers and dams with native fish.
The NSW Government will prove $2 in funding for every dollar raised by the community to purchase Australian Bass, Golden Perch and Murray Cod from accredited commercial fish hatcheries for stocking into public waterways.
Groups interested in applying for the grants, can apply online before the closing dates for the Community Native Fish Stocking (CNFS) 2025-26 grants program.
Fish stocking is expected to take place between November this year and April next year.
A minimum of $2,000 and a maximum of $6,000 per application per group is required, with only one application per group to be submitted.
Applications to stock Australian Bass close on 28 March and Golden Perch or Murray Cod close on 9 May at: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/resources/stocking/CNFS
BARRINGTON BRED!
Ten Eastern Quolls born and bred at Aussie Ark's Barrington Tops facility have recently had health checks ahead of release into the wild on the state’s South Coast.
Aussie Ark is collaborating with the University of Sydney and Sydney Zoo to release the six females and four males into a 68-hectare feral-proof sanctuary called Bannockburn, near Nowra.
It's the first time endangered Eastern Quolls have been released on the site which is another huge conservation milestone for a species otherwise extinct on mainland Australia.
The quolls rigorous health check by Somersby Animal Hospital Head Vet Dr Robin Crisman included checking each animal's teeth, weight and body condition.
All quolls were given the green bill of health and are ready for the historic release at their new home.
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