BRIDGE MILESTONE
PREPARATIONS for the new Clarence Town Bridge have reached a significant milestone after Dungog Shire Council last week resolved to award a tender for the project.
Bridgeworks (Aust) Pty Ltd will be tasked to undertake the detailed design and construction of the Williams River crossing and work with Dungog Council’s Infrastructure and Assets team.
The $20.6 million project is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments to provide a dual-lane structure approximately 135 metres in length and 13 metres wide and includes a pedestrian walkway, upgraded road approaches and approach footpaths.
Council anticipates the final design will be completed over the coming months with construction to begin later this year and take up to 24 months to complete.
The heritage-listed Brig O’Johnston timber truss bridge will remain open to traffic during construction.
VITAL EQUIPMENT
Six organisations across the Upper Hunter Electorate have secured funding for defibrillators.
The NSW Government’s Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program provides up to $3,000 for the purchase, installation and training in new automated external defibrillators.
These portable devices detect and analyse a person’s heart activity and, if needed, deliver an electric shock through the chest to the heart.
Latest recipients include Gloucester Junior Cricket Association and Gloucester’s 1831 Sports Club, Dungog Memorial Bowling Club, Maitland Rugby Union Football Club, Putty Community Association and Aberdeen Sports and Recreation Club.
Organisations can register their interest for the 2025-26 round of the program and will be advised of the opening of the round: www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/local-sport-defibrillator-grant-program
TRANSPORT CONSULATION
Three community drop-in sessions as part of the Draft Hunter Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan (SRITP) exhibition will be held next week.
The Draft Plan provides a 20-year vision and defines the key transport priorities for the region to support community, land use and transport needs, now and into the future.
Sessions are at the Service NSW centres in Newcastle on Monday 10 February 12-2pm, Tuesday 11 February at the Maitland Service Centre, 10am-Noon, then on Thursday 13 February 2025, 11am-1pm, at the Taree Service Centre.
Staff will set up outside each location with a marquee, or inside if the weather is not suitable.
Feedback on the Draft Hunter SRITP is open until Friday 28 February and can be viewed at: www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/sritp/hunter
HEAT IN FOCUS
Having sweltered through some scorching temperatures during our current summer,
Wednesday, 5 February, will mark Australia’s inaugural Extreme Heat Awareness Day.
Australian Red Cross in collaboration with Sweltering Cities is leading the national initiative to highlight the growing risks of extreme heat events, which have caused more deaths in Australia than any other natural hazard.
Extreme Heat Awareness Day also serves as a timely reminder of the need for a more resilient Australia.
To meet the growing challenges of climate change, Australian Red Cross is proposing to double its community workforce.
This proposal addresses critical gaps in disaster and response, including a ready-to-deploy workforce during heatwaves and other crises, holistic psychosocial support services for vulnerable individuals and customised disaster-managements support for councils.
You can prepare for extreme heat by speaking to your GP about how heatwaves may affect you, build support networks with neighbours, family and friends, identify a cool place to go during extreme heat and pack essentials you may need to stay safe at home or to take with you.
Discover more at: www.redcross.org.au
SEPARATION BEGINS
Liquor and Gaming NSW has launched a zero-tolerance approach to new laws regarding ATMs and EFTPOS machines near gaming machines.
From last Saturday, Liquor and Gaming’s one-month grace period to comply with the new rules ended meaning venues in breach are now liable to fines, statutory directions and/or prosecution.
A compliance campaign is being conducted throughout the opening months of this year to work with venues to ensure that they are meeting the new requirements.
Under the new rules, machines that allow cash withdrawals must be placed at least 5 metres from the entry to a gaming room and not be visible from any machine or entry to a gaming room.
Having ATMs and EFTPOS facilities further away from gaming machines aims to encourage a break in play for vulnerable customers, who may benefit from taking a step away to consider how much they are spending.
BRIDGEWORK AHEAD
Transport for NSW is advising motorists of upcoming bridgework on two crossing in the Upper Hunter Electorate.
Work is due to commence from Monday 10 February on Monkerai Bridge over the Karuah River at Monkerai.
Then, on Monday 24 February, work is due to commence on Middle Falbrook Bridge over Glennies Creek at Middle Falbrook.
Work at both locations will take place 7am-4pm and is expected to take three weeks to complete at each location, weather permitting.
Motorists should allow up to five minutes extra travel time because of lane closures and reduced speed limits of 40km/h.
Updates at: www.livetraffic.com
MORE RENEWABLES PLANNING
Transgrid has been selected as the preferred network operator for EnergyCo’s Hunter Transmission Project.
A commitment deed has been signed setting out Transgrid’s commitment to deliver, operate and maintain the project.
The Hunter Transmission Project involves building a new, above-ground 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission line between Bayswater near Muswellbrook and Olney near Cooranbong to connect the existing 500 kV transmission lines already operated by Transgrid.
The project will be delivered with a Hunter-first policy providing opportunities to build on the Hunter region’s diverse economic skill base and grow local jobs.
It is estimated around 700 people will be needed during construction including labourers, engineers and electricians to create a 500 kV ring of transmission infrastructure that will provide the backbone of the state’s electricity grid for generations to come.
INDUSTRIAL LAND PLAN
An Industrial Lands Action Plan has been released by the NSW Government setting out a new approach to plan, secure, and manage the supply of industrial lands.
The action plan is focused on opening up more land zoned for industrial or similar purposes with the aim to deliver new jobs, drive investment and support the building of more homes.
Land will be identified as State, Regional, or Locally Significant under the action plan, to make sure that each plays a specific role in supporting economic activity and long-term growth.
The Industrial Lands Action Plan will also provide industry, council and developers the opportunity to see where there is underutilised or isolated industrial lands which could be transitioned into alternative uses to align with the government’s key priorities.
More information is available on the NSW Planning website:
READY TO LAUGH?
Port Stephens has been selected to host one of the NSW Seniors Festival Comedy Shows.
Soldiers Point Hall will be the venue on Thursday 6 March at 10.30am and 1.30pm.
The free events will deliver a day of laughs as comedians Bec Melrose, Rebecca De Unamuno, Simon Kennedy, Gary Eck, Anisa Nandaula, Mat Wakefield, Laura Hughes, Peter Berner, and Tommy Dean show off their talents.
Tickets will be available from 9am Tuesday 11 February for the Sydney Town Hall performance on Tuesday 4 March and Soldiers Point on 6 March.
Book at: https://www.nsw.gov.au/arts-and-culture/seniors-festival/whats-on/nsw-seniors-festival-comedy-show
BROADBAND HELP
The Australian Government will extend the duration of the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) until the end of June 2028.
If there is a school age student at the home and no current NBN network connection, that home may qualify for free NBN home internet.
All new and existing qualifying families and carers will have to activate the SSBI service with a participating internet provider before a 30,000 user cap for SSBI service connection is reached.
To check if your household qualifies and to apply, contact the National Referral Centre on 1800 954 610, Monday-Friday, 10am-6pm or visit: anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet
Further information is also available at: www.infrastructure.gov.au/media-communications-arts/internet/national-broadband-network/school-student-broadband-initiative-ssbi
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