ROAD SAFETY
THE ROAD TOLL is causing serious concern for the NSW Nationals and Liberals prompting our call for the Minns Labor Government to review funding to improve the state’s roads.
More than 200 lives have been lost so far in 2024 and for the 12-months to early-August, 360 people have lost their life in NSW road crashes.
I encourage the Upper Hunter Electorate to make application for the latest round of the Community Road Safety Grants program which is now open.
Community groups and registered charities can apply for grants to develop small-scale, local projects to increase road safety awareness in local communities and promote safer behaviours on our roads.
Grants up to $5,000 are available for local community road safety projects and a limited number of $30,000 road safety grants are also available for larger projects involving a broader reach within the community.
Applications will be accepted until 16 September, with more information at:
BROKE UPGRADE DONE!
Almost 18 months after securing funding from the NSW Nationals and Liberals Government, the upgrade of Broke Recreation Ground has been completed.
Round Five of the Coalition’s Stronger Country Communities Fund delivered over $550,000 to enable Singleton Council to complete the $750,000 project.
The recreation ground now has all-new courts, lighting and amenities as the community prepares for Broke’s bicentennial year events in October.
Singleton Council replaced the court surfaces, added an extra tennis court and practice wall, and transformed the former netball court into a multipurpose one suitable for netball and basketball.
The amenities block was demolished and replaced with a new barbecue and seating area and the previously coin operated lights have been upgraded to a LED system that can be hired at night using a mobile phone app.
SENIORS’ DATE SAVER
Seniors save the date and clear your diary with the date announced for the 2025 NSW Seniors Festival.
You are invited by the NSW Government to enjoy yourself between March 3-16 with the Festival theme ‘Time to Shine.’
The Premier's Gala Concerts and Seniors Festival Expo will be held at Sydney International Convention and Exhibition Centre on March 12 and 13.
Gala Concerts' performers and ticket sale dates will be announced later this year.
First priority though is to submit applications for the 2025 NSW Seniors Festival Grants Program.
Local organisations and councils should apply at: www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/seniors-festival-grants-program
MOBILE UPGRADES CONTINUE
Improvements to the Telstra mobile network will temporarily impact coverage in the Muswellbrook area this week.
A series of temporary outages or reduction in mobile coverage are required to upgrade the Muswellbrook mobile base station.
Telstra mobile customers will receive text messages advising of the work being carried out between Monday 12 August to Friday 16 August.
There may also be some further intermittent disruptions from Saturday 17 August to Monday 19 August but if all goes according to plan the upgrade will be completed next Monday.
Landline services, NBN internet services and mobile coverage from other towers and providers may not be impacted.
Any calls to Triple Zero from a Telstra mobile when the site is off air will automatically be diverted to any working mobile network for connection to emergency services.
HEALTH WARNING
Reports of packages being received in mailboxes falsely claiming to have been sent by NSW Health are under investigation by NSW Police.
NSW Health is aware that cards and packages have been placed in letterboxes falsely claiming to be a ‘gift’ and ‘remedial therapy’ from NSW Health.
Residents are advised that if they receive an item of this nature, they should avoid handling the package and contact police immediately.
Members of the public who do have contact with these items should wash their hands thoroughly.
Anyone with information about this matter is urged to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
BUS TRACKER APP
Upper Hunter electorate public bus passengers can now find out where their bus is in real time, how soon it will arrive and how full it is.
Over recent months buses have been fitted with smart technology such as GPS tracking devices and automatic passenger counting systems as part of the NSW Government’s Transport Connected Bus (TCB) program.
Passengers can view reliable timetable information and real-time trip updates when they use buses in locations including Aberdeen, Broke, Cassilis, Cessnock, Denman, Dungog, Gloucester, Maitland, Merriwa, Murrurundi, Muswellbrook, Scone and Singleton.
They can also use Transport for NSW’s website or mobile apps such as TripView to access digital timetable information: https://transportnsw.info/trip#/trip
PLAN NEEDS INPUT
Dungog Shire Council wants public input into the future planning of Clarence Town during workshops being held tomorrow.
A NSW Government grant is assisting council to develop the Clarence Town Structure Plan and Streetscape Master Plan.
The plans will ensure that opportunities are identified for rural residential development and town centre growth, whilst preserving local environmental values, biodiversity, scenic, landscape, significant agricultural land and rural character.
Dungog Council has asked the Clarence Town, Glen Martin, Glen William, Glen Oak and Brookfield communities, along with any other residents of the shire, to attend the workshops at Clarence Town School of Arts Hall.
The daytime session is 1-3pm and the evening session 5-7pm.
For more information on attending a session visit: www.dungog.nsw.gov.au/Council/Council-Documents/Plans-and-Strategies/ctstructureplan
FISHING GRANTS
The NSW Government will be soon open applications for a new $2 million recreational fishing small infrastructure grants program.
It will enable fishing clubs, community groups and other organisations to apply for funding for projects such as fishing platforms, fish cleaning tables and other fishing facilities.
Eligibility criteria and funding guidelines for the new program are being developed for inclusion in the next Recreational Fishing Trust grants and funding round.
In addition, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) will undertake a survey of recreational fishers to enable them to provide feedback on potential future investment from the Recreational Fishing Trusts which holds the licence fee income.
The survey will seek input on fish stocking and fish breeding, fishing platforms and fish aggregation devices, artificial reefs and habitat improvements, education programs to teach young fishers about safe and responsible fishing and fishing regulation awareness.
SCHOOL PREP TOOL
Hunter New England Local Health District is offering assistance to parents who have a child starting kindergarten next year.
The Pocket Speechie program offers weekly speech, language and literacy tips to help children get ready for kindergarten.
Pocket Speechie is written by speech pathologists to deliver helpful information and activities to build your child's speech, language and literacy skills straight to your telephone.
Registration is free, so go to: https://qars.cec.health.nsw.gov.au/Survey?p=16B19902
DIARY NOTE
Friday 13 September will be a Red-Letter Day for Clarence Town Public School which celebrates its 175th birthday this year.
The official ceremony will see a whole range of special activities held at the school.
Then in the evening, the whole community, along with alumni are invited to a ‘Back to School’ Trivia Night at the local Bowling Club with tickets available from Eventbrite.
On Saturday 14 September, Clarence Town Public School, Glen William Public School and the local community will combine for a parade commencing at 10am.
OUT NOW!
If you are preparing to emerge from winter hibernation to head into the great outdoors then you need the latest issue of the Upper Hunter Country Magazine which is now available.
Upper Hunter Country Tourism Association’s spring/summer edition of the magazine takes you along the Golden Highway to the foot of the Barrington Tops and the Liverpool Range.
In addition to stops at Hollydene Estate, Linga Longa Inn and the Michael Reid Gallery - there’s coverage on the return of the Denman Wine and Food Affair to Ogilvie Street on Saturday 2 November, 11am-4pm.
Upper Hunter Country Magazine is free with copies available around the region or view the digital version at: https://imags.com.au/published/upper_hunter_country_Issue3/ and: www.facebook.com/UpperHunterCountry
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