Infrastructure renewal and community identity shape actions

Published on 16 March 2021

With a proposed $33 million capital works budget and an intensive arts and culture program, Singleton Council’s draft Operational Plan showcases a focus on infrastructure renewal and community identity in 2021/2022.

The draft 2021/2022 Operational Plan will be unveiled for community feedback from tomorrow, detailing 207 actions that Council will undertake in the coming financial year to continue to deliver on the vision set out in the Community Strategic Plan (CSP) 2017-2027.

And one of those key actions is to undertake a revision of the CSP for 2022-2032.

Mayor of Singleton, Cr Sue Moore said this year’s draft Plan will be delivered under unusual circumstances in a fifth year of the current Council, due to the postponement of the 2020 local government elections in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is set to be an exciting year for Singleton for a range of reasons, but especially because we’ll see the delivery of some significant projects – namely the arts and cultural centre, as well as important water and sewer projects that will increase the efficiency and reliability of our network,” she said.

“What’s more, with community conversations to begin around what we want Singleton to look like in the next 10 years, this draft Plan also includes a range of new initiatives for even greater community involvement – including an action to develop and establish a formalised Youth Council.

“The draft Plan is now on public exhibition, and I encourage everyone to let us know what you think.”

General Manager Jason Linnane said following the economic impacts from COVID-19, the focus of the draft Plan for 2021/2022 is on delivering a balanced budget without compromising on the standards for infrastructure and services, while maintaining comparably low costs of rates and essential services for residents.

Major capital works projects in the draft 2021/2022 Operational Plan include: 

  • Glendon Road - $550,000
  • Gibbs Bridge - $1.3 million
  • Hungerfords Bridge - $2.425million 
  • Goorangoola Road - $1.5 million
  • Hamiltons Crossing Road - $1.56 million
  • Road Resealing Program - $1m
  • Arts & Cultural Centre - $1.06 million
  • Minimbah Drive Reservoir $1.8 million
  • Water Network - $2.57 million (Renewals and Upgrades)
  • Rising Main Repair – Sewer Pump Station to Sewer Treatment Plant - $2.56 million
  • Sewer Treatment Plant Upgrade Pollution Reduction Program - $680,000
  • Sewer Treatment Plant Inlet Works Upgrade - $4 million

“The reason we’re here is to serve our community, and although that’s been tested by drought, bushfire and even a global pandemic recently, we’ve never stopped delivering and we’ve never stopped looking for new ways to support our residents and businesses,” Mr Linnane said.

“We’re excited to be looking forward in 2021/2022, not only in conversations with our community about what the next 10 years might look like for the Singleton local government area, but in highlighting arts, tourism and community development.

“Having said that, we’re also conscious of maintaining essential infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water and sewer to the standards our community expects and deserves, and the draft 2021/2022 Operational Plan will see major developments in those areas as well.”

The draft 2021/2022 Operational Plan will be on public exhibition from Wednesday 17 March to Monday 19 April.

You can download the document on Council’s website at www.singleton.nsw.gov.au or view a hard copy at Council’s Administration Building, Singleton Visitor Information Centre or Singleton Library. Submissions may be made in writing to the General Manager via post to PO Box 314 Singleton NSW 2330 or email council@singleton.nsw.gov.au

 

ENDS

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