Dungog Mayor Calls for Local Net Zero Authority Presence

BY LIZZIE COLE

Digby Rayward wants officials on the ground from the Net Zero Economy Authority as coal mines in the Hunter close down.

He’ll tonight raise a motion to call on the State Government for funding post mining land use initiatives.

Councillor Rayward says the pointers to send to the Annual Local Government Conference reflect the desires of Councils across the Hunter Valley.

“There’s a real risk we’re going to lose in the order of 12,000 jobs in the next few years when BHP shuts down.

“We want to make sure those people [who] are working in Dungog and travelling across to those mining jobs have got another job, whether it’s based in Dungog, Muswellbrook or Singleton,” he said.

Also among the motions to send to the Local Government Annual Conference, a number of roads which have been on Council’s agenda for years. He wants them re-categorised as State roads.

“Going from Clarence Town … towards the Medowie side, and there’s some around Gresford.

“The formula [the State Government have] got is population going from point A to point B,” he said.

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

UPDATE! Fears Mounting For Two Missing Teens From Dungog

 BY IAN CROUCH

Two teenage girls reported missing from Dungog have been found safe and well. 

Police commenced inquiries into their whereabouts when the pair could not be contacted or located.

Following inquiries and a public appeal for assistance, the 13-year-olds were found at East Maitland at about 3.30pm on Thursday.

Police have thanked the media and the community for their assistance. 

EARLIER:

Fears are growing for the welfare of two young girls reported missing from Dungog.

Brodie Munger and Mailey Gelder, both aged 13, were last seen together at a school in Eloiza Street at about 9am on Tuesday.

Brodie's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 150cm tall with a thin build, brown hair and brown eyes.

She was last seen wearing a black hooded jumper, cream coloured pants and white Nike shoes.

Mailey's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 150cm tall with a thin build, brown hair and blue eyes, and was last seen wearing a black hooded jumper and grey pants.

It's believed both girls may have travelled to Sydney by train.

Missing teens Brodie Munger and Mailey Gelder

Missing Central Coast Teen Could Be In The Hunter

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Police believe a teenager missing from the Central Coast could be in the Hunter. 

13-year-old Cohen Wentworth-Shields was last seen at the Gosford Railway Station at around 10:00am on Wednesday the 18th of October. 

He was wearing a brown hoodie with 'Red Lips' written on it, a red shirt, black shorts with a white stripe on the side, black Nike shoes, and was carrying a black Nike backpack. 

Cohen is known to frequent the Dungog area. 

Police and his family old serious concerns for his welfare due to his age. 

If you've seen him or known where he is, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.  

Funding Announced to Repair Hunter Roads

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Major new road funding has been announced for a number of areas in the Hunter. 

The Mayors of Singleton and Muswellbrook met with Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway for the announcement this morning. 

$2.8 million has been allocated to fix the Allyn River Road in the Dungog Shire, and Victoria Street in Muswellbrook will be boosted by more than $700,000. 

Mr Farraway also announced $3 million will go towards repairing Hunter Road at Ellerston, and $1 million will be given to Singleton Council. 

"This is all about making sure we are repairing, not just filling-in potholes," he said. 

"We're doing heavy patching, and councils will have the support to repair those potholes and those roads that locals use every day, whether they be the roads to the shops, footy clubs or to school." 

Federal Government Announces Funding Boost for Local Councils

 BY CHARLOTTE LLOYD

The Federal Government has announced a major funding boost as part of the 2022-23 Financial Assistance Grants Payment. 

This will see local councils across the Hunter benefiting from payments by the end of the month (April 2022) including Cessnock, Maitland, Singleton, Muswellbrook, Dungog, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens. 

This is in hopes to target local priorities and manage the impacts of both the recent floods and the ongoing effects of COVID-19. 

The grants being distributed are in the hands of the local Government and allow local councils to make local decisions on delivering vital services otherwise not available to them from a lack of resources. 

An outline of each councils Financial Assistance Payment:

• Cessnock City Council - $6,114,730
• Dungog Shire Council - $2,349,390
• Lake Macquarie City Council - $13,402,343
• Maitland City Council - $5,815,747
• Muswellbrook Shire Council - $3,115,017
• Port Stephens Council - $5,507,409
• Singleton Council - $3,302,190

Federal funding to benefit Dungog RSL

BY MIA GORSEVSKI

New federal funding is set to benefit an Ex-Services Club at Dungog.

These grants will share the importance these servicemen and women have served since the 1950's with community targeted programs.

The Dungog RSL is installing a new Roll of Honour in their Memorial Club to pay respects to our local service personnel. 

Federal Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie said, "We are supporting Dungog RSL under the Saluting Their Service program." 

"Deigned to preserve our wartime heritage and involve local communities in projects that highlight the service and sacrifice of service personnel."

This commemorative Grant has been created to involve communities in supporting those who served our nation by recognising the heritage while incorporating a large range of activities and projects.

Three clubs have accepted grants to support this initiative, including:

• Dungog RSL Sub-Branch - $4,000 to install a new Roll of Honour.
• Forster Tuncurry RSL Sub-Branch - $2,205.55 for veterans' advocacy and advice.
• Wingham RSL Sub-Branch - $3,000 to support volunteer activities.

The Forster Tuncurry RSL has secured a grant for ex-service personnel club to continue to respect those serving.

Along with this as part of the Governments commitment, The Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) program, is developed to offer advice and assistance to local veteran and defence community since their work.

Ex-servicemen and women may reach to these programs for pensions, welfare work, advocacy and advice on these areas.

The Wingham RSL has also been successful in securing the federal funding through the Volunteer Grants 2021. 

With this, there are more than 50 successful projects throughout local communities.

"I am delighted to be announcing this funding support for three local clubs who are doing so much to promote appreciation of our servicemen and women and the roles that they have played in shaping our nation," Dr Gillespie said.

Dr Gillespie says she will continue to contact community organisations to congratulate them the federal funding acceptance for the volunteer work they continue to complete. 

Support your local club by attending and sharing these wonderful programs and initiatives set to honour and pay our respects to the servicemen and women across our nation.

Further applications are currently open for the program, closing on February 8th 2022. 

Federal Member for Lyne, Dr David Gillespie.

Council elections see knockout wins and close races across the Hunter

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Hunter's still crunching the numbers this afternoon, with a few close races for local councils likely to go on for weeks as postal votes and pre-poll numbers roll in.

Labor's rejoicing today, winning the vote in a number of local governments. 

In Newcastle, incumbent Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes has beaten Newcastle Independents John Church to hold onto the top job. 

It's likely the Independents will lose ground in the chamber, with possible second seats for the Greens and the Liberals both in the city's Ward Two.

In Lake Macquarie, Kay Fraser will sit another term as mayor, landing a knockout win with a nine percent swing toward her.

Councillor Jay Suvaal is also likely to take over from Mayor Bob Pynsent in Cessnock, securing another Labor win.

Close races continue between Labor and independent candidates elsewhere in the Hunter.

In Maitland, current Mayor Loretta Baker leads independent Philip Penfold by a tight margin, just a few hundred votes.

The race is also close in Port Stephens, with Labor's Leah Anderson and incumbent Mayor Ryan Palmer neck and neck as well.

Over in Singleton, independent Mayor Sue Moore is in the lead, but there's no firm call yet on whether her re-election is certain. 

In Dungog's first ever direct vote for mayor, John Connors will keep the job uncontested.

It could be weeks before the outcome across all councils and wards is known. 

State Government Investing $25 Million to Fix Dungog's Roads

BY ISABEL EVERETT

The State Government is investing $25 million dollars to upgrade roads in Dungog.

The Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole visited Dungog on Friday to make the announcement alongside the NSW Nationals candidate for the Upper Hunter Dave Layzell.

“This brand new $25 million funding package from the NSW Government will help Dungog Shire Council to tackle their $23.8 million maintenance backlog and get these roads back into prime condition, which this community deserves,” Mr Barilaro said.

Priorities for upgrades under the $25 million package will be determined by Dungog Shire Council in consultation with Transport for NSW.

“We know the roads across the Dungog Shire are not up to standard and a reliable road network is essential for a thriving region." 

“The NSW Government is righting Labor’s wrongs by reclaiming the management of thousands of kilometres of roads across the state to take the onus off councils and put it back on the Government.

“That process is underway, but it will take time, and in the interim, we will continue to invest in road networks across NSW, because an investment in local roads is an investment in the lives of the people who live in that community.”

Mr Toole said in the past 12 months, the NSW Government has invested more than $21 million in projects on Dungog’s local road network.

“Only last week, I was out near Vacy to see work underway on Summer Hill Road – one of four road upgrades we’re funding with more than $5.4 million from our Fixing Local Roads program,” Mr Toole said.

In the coming months, work will get underway on the first four of 23 ageing timber bridges on the local road network that will be replaced with modern structures, thanks to $16 million in funding through the Fixing Country Bridges program.

$4.4 Million to Improve Local Roads in Dungog

BY ISABEL EVERETT

The State Government has announced $4.4 million to improve local roads in the Dungog Shire, as part of the $500 million Fixing Local Roads Program. 

$1,650,00 will be designated to the rehabilitation of Paterson River Road, $1,275,000 for the rehabilitation of Salisbury Road and $1,567,500 for the rehabilitation of Summer Hill Road. 

Upper Hunter MP, Michael Johnsen, says the funding for shovel-ready projects will drive jobs in regional NSW.

“This is about delivering small projects that can make a big difference for local communities – projects that will drive valuable jobs in our region over the next 12 months as councils get cracking on delivery,” Mr Johnsen said.

 "In Dungog it will mean smoother, safer trips along the roads our community use every day – roads like Paterson River Road and Salisbury Road. This the program will deliver $4,492,500 for three projects across Dungog Shire, greatly assisting our local Dungog economy."

“Projects will need to be delivered within two years of receiving funding, to ensure that local communities are benefiting sooner,” Mr Johnsen concluded.

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the NSW Government was accelerating its funding for the program to get more projects to seal, maintain and repair local roads under way faster.

“We’re not just putting our foot down in terms of delivering this package – we’re turbocharging it to ensure we create jobs and create better journeys on the roads that really matter to local communities,” Mr Toole said.

Dungog Mayor, John Connors with Upper Hunter MP, Michael Johnsen,
 for the Fixing Country Roads Announcement

Police Investigate House Fire At Dungog

BY IAN CROUCH

A house fire at Dungog overnight is being treated as suspicious.

A NSW and RFS crew were called to the single storey fibro home on Abelard Street just after 10.00pm on Monday to find the front of the house well alight and flames through the roof.

No-one was home at the time.

It's taken crews about 2 hours to extinguish and mop up the blaze.

Police are investigating the cause of the fire.

Four People Rescued As Flooding Rains Hit The Hunter

BY IAN CROUCH

Four people have had to be rescued as heavy rain caused flash flooding across the Hunter.

The rain has eased overnight, but not before areas like Wallsend and Dungog recorded 200 millimetres.

Moderate flooding is likely along the Williams River at Dungog and the Paterson River later today.

Most of the rain activity today will be in the northern parts of the Hunter.

Rachel Squires from the Hunter Region SES says they've received 500 calls for help mainly for leaking rooves, while crews were called out to help stranded motorists.

"We've had three flood rescues during this event, but fortunately they've all been in relation to low-lying floodwaters - so that's trying to help people out of cars that have been trapped," she said.

Motorist Stranded On Belmore Road At Lorn. Picture: theherald.com.au

Dungog Cops A Downpour As The Hunter Goes On Flood Watch

BY IAN CROUCH

The Hunter Region SES has been handing out sandbags as the region prepares for torrential rain and thunderstorms.

The Weather Bureau has forecast intense rainfall across the day, with between 100 and 200 millimetres expected in parts of the Hunter.

Already, 117 millimetres has been recorded at Dungog in just one hour this morning.


A Severe Weather Warning has been issued for the Hunter, with the warning area extending to the Upper Hunter and Mid North Coast.

Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens are on flood watch along with the Lower Hunter, Paterson, Karuah and Williams Rivers and the Wollombi Brook.