From a freak hail storm and massive rain event to record high temperatures and catastrophic bushfires only two weeks later.

These testing times again highlight the wonderful job our emergency services do. Firefighters came from our Shire and far and wide to protect our residents. I believe 28 individual firefighting units were ready to protect Cassilis, at a time there was 50 fires around NSW, many within a couple of hundred kilometres of the St Ivan fire!

I also acknowledge and thank the Council crews who assisted with water carting and road closures over a long and frightening Sunday night.

Council workers are still clearing roads of dozens of fallen trees, replacing hundreds of road guideposts and checking bitumen and guardrails for heat damage.

It will be a major project to repair extensive fire damage to Cassilis Park Rest Area.

We will also be offering assistance directly to residents of the Shire who have suffered loss and hardship.

Town Revitalisation meetings

After extensive community consultations last year Council adopted revitalisation plans for Aberdeen, Merriwa, Murrurundi and Scone.

Our first Town Revitalisation meetings have gone very well. The Merriwa Tourism and Promotion Committee now chaired by councillor Ron Campbell have agreed to be the vehicle through which Council will receive recommendations.

Major works have already been carried out on Bettington Street by the RMS and Council so they have hit the ground running looking at things like street furniture, bins and bollards.

The meeting of the inaugural Scone Town Revitalisation committee was nothing short of amazing, with over 30 enthusiastic people attending. 

Councillor James Burns is chairperson and a diverse and knowledgeable new committee was selected. I am sure we will get a great outcome.

The next meeting around the Aberdeen Town Revitalisation plan will be on 6.30pm Monday, March 13 at the Aberdeen Community Hall.  

The Murrurundi meeting will be at 6pm on Monday, February 20 at the Murrurundi RSL Hall.