It is always great to get out to various parts of the Northern Tablelands and connect with members of the communities.
Next week I am heading to Croppa Creek, North Star, Coolatai and Ashford for mobile offices.
Croppa Creek and North Star: On Tuesday, November 26, I will be at the Crop Croppa Creek Store from 10am until 11.30am, followed by a visit to North Star’s Vicarage Café from 12pm until 1.30pm.
Coolatai and Ashford: On Wednesday, November 27, I will be at the Wallaroo Hotel, Coolatai from 11am until 12pm, followed by a visit to the RTC at Ashford from 1pm until 2pm.
I plan to have more mobile offices in the future in some of our more remote towns so keep an eye out for one coming to your area.
Parliamentary sittings
The November Parliamentary sittings have wrapped up.
I delivered another 12 Community Recognition Statements this week which honoured our region’s high performers.
They included: Moree’s walk to support mental health, Armidale’s Big Chill Festival, Carla Bryant, St Joseph’s Primary School in Mungindi, the Guyra Anglers Club, Armidale Secondary College students, PLC Signature Art Prize Exhibition, Nutrien Ag Solutions Boultons of Walcha, Newling Public School celebrates 50 years, Isaac Riches, Bruce McMullen, and Gravesend Public School students.
I also delivered Private Members’ Statements on the Water Sharing Plan for the Gwydir Unregulated River Water Sources 2025, and the Armidale Ezidi community.
I also tabled nine Questions on Notice on considering pay rises for nurses and midwives, the common law presumption of doli incapax, funding for our roads, regional relocation, the Local Small Commitments Allocation Program, costs for cancer patients in regional NSW, rising water prices, the Community Building Partnerships program, and rail trail funding.
Seniors’ Diary
The annual LegalAid Seniors’ Diary will soon be available to seniors across the Northern Tablelands.
The publication has information on avoiding scams, goods and services, driving and fines, Elder abuse, money and Centrelink, and more.
They are free but there’s a limit to two per household.
The diaries will be available from the Armidale and Moree Electorate Offices from Friday, November 29.
REZ Submissions Open
Contributions for the Parliamentary inquiry into the Impact of Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) on rural and regional communities and industries in New South Wales are now open. Alternatively, there is an online questionnaire interested parties can fill out. Submissions close on January 31, 2025.
Visit the Impact of Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) on rural and regional communities and industries in New South Wales website to make your submission.
Country Mayors
Congratulations to Armidale Regional Council’s Sam Coupland who was elected on to the executive board of the Country Mayors’ Association. There were 13 nominations and seven elected to the board with 130 eligible voters.
Farewell Mark Coulton
It was good to make a quick trip to Canberra at the start of the week to farewell a friend and mentor Mark Coulton.
Mark has been the Member for Parkes in Federal Parliament for 17 years. He will be stepping down at the next election in early 2025.
Meanwhile, Christmas is only a month away and things are not slowing down. We have a really busy run leading into the festive season so keep an eye out for events in your area.
As always, please contact our Armidale and Moree Electorate Offices if you wish to raise any concerns.
Commentary by Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands
