Singleton on Alert for Illegal Dumpers

BY TYLER FARDELL

As we enter the holiday season, Singleton Council say they will be on high alert for people illegally waste dumping.

Illegally dumping waste is a burden on the environment and the economy, with a small minority of Singleton residents choosing to dump waste in the bush rather than use the Summerhill waste management centre.

The fines for illegally waste dumping start at $2000 and go up to $250,000 for individuals while companies can be fined a maximum of one million dollars.

Singleton Councils Acting Director of Planning and Infrastructure Mary-Anne Crawford is hopeful the intimidating fines will scare away any potential waste dumpers.

"The Regional Illegal Dumping Squad (RID), will be very active over the holiday period to ensure that if you dispose of waste illegally, you will be caught", she said.

"People should use the waste disposal facility instead, which is open every day apart from Christmas day".

Many waste materials that people dispose of illegally often contain toxic materials like asbestos and poses a health risk to the community.

Illegal Dumper

Welcome to the "new and improved" Wine Country

BY RACHEL STORER

Already one of the most popular wine regions in the country, the Hunter Valley is welcoming developments from local council and federal government that will help increase tourism and exports.

The multi-million dollar upgrade to Broke Road and Hermitage Road was unveiled yesterday after 12-months of construction and includes improvements to the road surfaces, a tourist information bay and a 10.6 kilometre cycleway.

The joint venture between Cessnock and Singleton Councils was funded by a successful bid for $16.7 million from the NSW Government "Resources for Regions" program.

The wine region is also welcoming a share in the Australian Government's $50 million Export and Regional Wine Support Package.

The funding will be spread throughout regional wine areas and aims to increase wine exports and international tourism.

Among the program $3 million grants will be made available to smaller wineries looking to branch into the export market while other funding will also be given to develop regional wine tourism and cellar door experiences.

Cessnock City Mayor, Bob Pynsent believes the Hunter is well deserving of new infrastructure and funding.

"Improving the roads in the vineyards precinct is so important to the amenities for tourists and the inclusion of a cycleway certainly gives diversity to the activities tourists can do," he said.

Cr Pynsent said Cessnock City Council is committed to doubling the overnight accommodation numbers by the year 2020 and believes all these initiatives work together to assist in attracting tourists to our area.

(L-R) Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon, Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnson, Singleton Mayor Sue Moore and Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent test out the new cycleway. (Image: Cessnock Advertiser)

One for the record books... the crotcheting record books that is.

BY JESSICA ROUSE and TYLER FARDELL

If it's bizarre world record breaking moments you're after, the Hunter is where you'll find it.

This time it's not continuous games of lawn bowls or giant inflatable water slides, instead Singleton Council are aiming to break the Guinness World Record for the most people crocheting at the same place, at the same time.

A feat never attempted anywhere else in Australia.

The event is being held at Singleton Civic Centre on Sunday 30th April, and Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen, Police Inspector Joanne Schultz and Council's general manager Jason Linnane have already registered.

The list of registered participants grows every day, getting closer and closer to the 500 that are needed for the record breaking attempt.

Get your crotchet needles out!

Event coordinator Di Sneddon says it will be an exciting event and is urging everyone who can crochet, to register.

"It's just about exposing people to continue interest and also the value of creative experiences within your own life to enhance your mindfulness. You can have a bit of a relax and take it easy doing something that you enjoy doing, " she said.

Can't crotchet? Never fear, there is a beginners crash course in how to crotchet at 9am before the event starts at 10am.

To participate, you have to officially register with the Singleton Visitor Information and Enterprise Centre staff by calling 6571 5888 or drop by the centre at Townhead park.

Uproar on the coming Singleton Bypass

BY: ARIANA GATTI

                                                [Image sourced: http://bustout.co.nz/Australia/NSW/singleton.htm] 

After a meeting on Tuesday, Singleton Council and the NSW Roads and Maritime Services collectively decided on the route and design of the new bypass through the Singleton area.

With the preferred option now out in the open, the Singleton council are working closely with the State Government to ensure the design incorporates and attends to the needs of the local area.

However, with all route options considered, residents are showing concern to the exact placement of the bypass allegedly crossing through some of their properties.

Mayor of Singleton, Sue Moore says “Council is extremely happy that a decision has been made on the route which will allow this much-needed project to progress”.

“However, there are implications for our residents as well as council in terms of our Local Environment Plan (LEP) and planning strategies”.

“Council will be looking to work with the NSW Government and RMS to ensure the design meets the needs of our community and provides opportunities for our businesses and the economy”, she says.

                

Community to Help Council Create 'New Look' Burdekin Park

BY GARY-JON LYSAGHT

Plans have begun to revitalise Burdekin Park after 40 dead and dying trees were removed because of a significant flying fox population.

Council are now looking to the community to help decide what the park’s next step should be.

“We’re going to go through a planning process where we engage with our community,” says Singleton Council General Manager Jason Linnane.

Council will seek community feedback through a number of different paths, including social media services Facebook and Instagram, as well as traditional workshops.

"We'll be looking at a range of mediums to engage with our community and make sure we get as much as possible about the views and diversity that exist around the site," Linnane says.

The community is divided, however on what the next step should be, with a number of ideas emerging.

“We are aware that there is conflicting views in the community,” Linnane says.

“There’s some that would love to see the historical trees returned to the park.  There’s other that would love to see it left more open.

“We’re going to work with our community and come up with a plan that tries to balance all those differing views.”

Council also have plans of their own, with hopes the park will move towards reflecting its historic, social and cultural importance.

The Burdekin Park Museum closed when the park became overrun by flying foxes.

Linnane also hopes the ‘new look’ park will “highlight the important historic monuments located there, such as the Historical Museum and War Memorials”.

Access to these historic monuments were restricted when Council closed the park in March, citing safety concerns from falling tree branches, as well as disease risks from the flying foxes.

Another key part of the new plans will be protecting the new Burdekin Park from the flying fox fate the old one had.

“Managing the interface between the bats and our community will be an ongoing issue for Singleton Council like it is for many other on the Eastern seaboard,” Linnane says.

“Our plans for the park will certainly take these factors into consideration.”

[Image Source: Gary-Jon Lysaght].

Singleton Council Meeting Tonight: Residents Welcome

BY BRIDGET GUNN

Singleton Council is holding its next community strategic plan meeting tonight, and residents are encouraged to come along and have a say in the future of their community.

Singleton Council General Manager Jason Linnane says conversations between councillors and residents are vital in ensuring everyone is on the same page.

"The workshops are based on having a two-way conversation between council staff and the elected officials, and also the community, says Linnane.

"What we are trying to do is engage with the community to understand what their vision is fpr the Singleton local government area, so we can build our plans and our strategies moving forward."

"This is their community and council is here to deliver on their vision and their needs."

Source: ABC News

Road Upgrade Could Have Huge Economic Benefits for Pokolbin Area

BY BRIDGET GUNN

A sod-turning ceremony to mark the start of the upgrade of Hermitage Road and cycleway through Pokolbin took place at 1pm today.

The project is a joint venture between Singleton and Cessnock Councils and should be a huge benefit for the area, says Singleton Mayor John Martin.

"Council will be doing a lot of work on the road and putting in cycle paths," says Martin.

"This upgrade will help with bringing tourists through the vineyards in the area, so it's a win-win for everybody, and its a great upgrade for Hermitage Road, particularly the cycleway that will go beside it."

Singleton Council General Manager Jason Linnane,
Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent,
Cessnock City Council General Manager Stephen Glen and
 Singleton Mayor John Martin inspecting works in Pokolbin.
Source: The Advertiser