Lots of work is happening around the Upper Hunter to improve roads including the new roundabout going in at Susan and Main Streets in Scone which is set to be completed in the coming weeks, weather permitting. 

There is also a new Garland Bridge being built which will be of great benefit to residents and visitors in Woolooma and Stewarts Brook.

The latest council project is the new bank stability works south west of Moonan Flat (known as Moonan cutting) along the Hunter Road. 

These sorts of works often mean delays and detours which can be annoying but we all benefit from better, safer roads in the long run. 

Please obey all traffic signals and drive carefully.

More good roads news was announced last week with the council receiving funds from the Federal Government’s Black Spot Program. 

This money will go towards two projects, $60,500 to install guardrail and signage on a curve on the Merriwa to Scone Road near Queen Street at Bunnan and $1.2 million to install a median safety barrier for 300 metres on the Golden Highway, north of Dunblane Road near Merriwa.

Rural water supply

The council will be holding a meeting at 6pm on May 12 in the Council Chambers in Scone to discuss a potential Rural Water Supply Scheme for the Scone to Murrurundi area.

Landholders between Scone and Murrurundi may have an opportunity to secure stock and domestic or irrigation water following the State Government approval of funding for the Murrurundi pipeline.

Council is examining the viability of developing a rural water supply scheme that will benefit from the cost savings of constructing the scheme as an additional component of the Murrurundi township and villages along the route pipeline.

ANZAC Day

It was wonderful to see so many  people and particularly so many children at the ANZAC Day services around the Upper Hunter in the year of the centenary of the Gallipoli landings. 

The great losses regional families endured in World War I is a part of our history that should never be forgotten.

Congratulations Wayne and Maurice

The election of our new mayor Wayne Bedggood and Maurice Collison as deputy mayor occurred last week at the council meeting.  

I am sure they will settle into their new roles well. 

After many decades of experience in local government I think this particular group of councillors are working well together and overall the council is, in my view, performing well.

Public meetings

It is hard to let everyone know about the many different things that the council does. 

By the time you read this we will already have held public meetings in Scone and Murrurundi about the council’s Delivery Program and Operational Plan. 

Next week on Monday, May 11 will be the meeting in Aberdeen at the Rose Garden Community Hall and on Wednesday, May 13 at the Merriwa Council Chambers. 

Both meetings start at 6pm. 

Every week people will let me know about projects they would like the council to tackle. 

Attending these meetings is a very good way to ask questions, find out what is going on, and put forward your proposals. 

You can also put written comments on the council’s ultimate planning document up to June 1.

Have your say.

Green light for track

Children will soon have a safe, fun space in Aberdeen to ride and learn about road rules.

The learn-to-ride bike track - 100 metres of child-sized roads, curves and T-intersections - will feature mini Give Way and Stop signs, a pedestrian crossing, a roundabout (because everybody loves roundabouts) and an exciting hair pin bend. 

The Upper Hunter Shire Council will break ground on the project this month and hopes to complete the installation in time for the Christmas school holidays.