THE Murrurundi community is moving forward with an action plan to improve the town.
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The Draft Murrurundi Community Plan 2015+ Report on Outcomes was presented to Upper Hunter Shire Council at last Monday's ordinary general meeting.
A motion to endorse the plan was put by Cr Kiwa Fisher, seconded by Cr Lee Watts and the vote was carried unanimously.
On December 8, 2015 Council's Community Services Committee convened to discuss a range of agenda items, among them the progress of the Murrurundi Community Plan.
The draft plan was reviewed by the Community Services Committee, a Section 355 Committee of Council, at the December meeting with a recommendation it be put to Council.
The Committee was told the draft of the Murrurundi Community Plan 2015+ was developed through two community workshops, organised by the Murrurundi Community Leaders' Forum in October and November 2015.
In October, 48 Murrurundi locals attended a presentation and workshop with Bingara's Rick Hutton.
Mr Hutton described the Vision 2020 Plan developed for the small community of Bingara, 240km north of Murrurundi in the New England region.
![GRAND PLANS: Upper Hunter Shire Council staff, councillors and residents took a walking tour of Murrurundi last year to look at ways to make the town more business friendly. GRAND PLANS: Upper Hunter Shire Council staff, councillors and residents took a walking tour of Murrurundi last year to look at ways to make the town more business friendly.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/storypad-rJkJNFPcdBkDQKqtkgHSjA/151efdd1-1d71-45cf-ba7d-1ed01c53ed31.JPG/r0_138_2592_1728_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Vision 2020 aims to ensure Bingara and district survives and thrives as it progresses towards the year 2020 in all areas of agriculture, commerce, tourism, education, health, and the environment.
A second workshop was held in Murrurundi in November to discuss and prioritise opportunities for the development of an action plan for Murrurundi.
The draft plan listed 11 key areas for improvement with the development of walks, including the Stock Route, topping the list.
Support and promotion of existing businesses in Murrurundi was second on the list and third was a proposal to bring a heritage train to the town for day trips and promote Murrurundi as a possible destination for weddings and retreats.
Other items included in the draft Murrurundi action plan focused on securing:
a) a purpose-built preschool;
b) more facilities for young people;
c) a community renewable project;
d) the university of the third age (U3A) for seniors;
e) using the town common and other wasted space for community gardens;
f) public art installations; and
g) better feral animal control, especially the nearby deer population.
The Murrurundi community also discussed how it might welcome Syrian refugees, noting the town's doctor is Syrian and some members of the community have family connections to Syria.