Message from the Mayor: 6 April 2023

As we come into Easter, it's probably worthy to look at the roads around the shire and to reflect on the fact that Council has now completed the expenditure of the initial pothole funding which resulted in 17,108 potholes being filled. That number has been recorded because the government required us to record the potholes that were filled. Those 17,000 potholes were predominantly on the western side of the shire on Glendonbrook Road, Bingleburra Road, and Allyn River Road. 

Council is also working on the further emergency repair work, the heavy patching work, where Council received $1.36 million which will do about 10,000m2 of emergency repair works throughout the shire. Council crews are currently working on carrying out that work and making sure that money is spent in a timely manner, although, we have until January of next year, to fully spend those funds.  

Since 2017, Council has received approximately $122 million from dominantly the state government but also the federal government, for road, bridge, and bridge infrastructure. That's an enormous amount of money and not all of it has yet been spent because some of the programs are over multiple years. But when that money is expended, which will be probably in about three to four year's time, we will be in desperate need of additional funding of a similar amount to enable future works to continue. Without those sorts of funds from government, this council is too small to be able to carry out the necessary infrastructure repairs.  

The bushfire danger period ended on the first of the month, but there are still requirements that must be met by all of us who still wish to light fires. And I direct your attention to the Rural Fire Service website, www.rfs.nsw.gov.au, where there's a facility to notify of your intention to light a fire and of the requirements that you should meet in doing so.  

Over Easter, Council will be shut down however, there'll be emergency services available and throughout that period, should the need arise. Easter always traditionally brings a lot of people to Dungog Shire, particularly people wishing to camp in the state forests and in the national parks. And I'm sure this year will be no exception. To all of those who are coming, obviously, we welcome you, but we do ask that you all behave in a considerate way, considerate to all other uses of those facilities and of the roads that are required to access those facilities. Some of those roads have issues if we get heavy rain, where the low level crossings might get cut. There is no food or emergency services available upstream of those crossings, and accordingly, you should take appropriate precautions and leave before any danger arises.  

Easter also brings the Dungog Rodeo on Saturday which will start at 11am and run through the 8:30pm and then followed by the band on site that attracts most years about 5000 people if the weather permits, I'm sure this year will be no exception. 
 
Also during Saturday, starting at 9am will be the Billy Cart Derby in Park Street, East Gresford. That also normally attracts a large crowd and it's great entertainment. So I encourage you to either go and participate with your billy cart or else just go to watch the experiences that others are having. 

That just about sums up the week. I wish everybody happy and safe Easter and we'll be back again next week. Goodbye. Good luck.