Liveability and visitability come under the microscope in 2023/2024

Published on 23 March 2023

Mayor of Singleton Cr Sue Moore (8).jpg

With a proposed $32.3million capital works budget to drive sport and recreation and essential infrastructure, along with actions to promote Singleton as a destination for tourism and investment, Singleton Council’s draft Operational Plan has been designed to enhance liveability and visitability in 2023/2024.

The draft 2023/2024 Operational Plan is open for community feedback from today, detailing 151 actions that Council will undertake in the coming financial year to continue to deliver on the vision set out in the Create Singleton 2032 Community Strategic Plan.

That includes almost $1million for the community’s top priority—new footpaths and shared pathways—which is entirely grant-funded.

Mayor of Singleton, Cr Sue Moore said this year’s program continued Council’s balance of delivering on the community’s needs now, as well as planning for the future.

“The proposed actions for the coming year are a mix of new capital works projects and asset renewals to enhance the liveability of our local government area, as well as economic development programs to help build capacity for local businesses and our workforce, with a particular focus on tourism with the development of a Singleton Visitor Economy Action Plan and promotion of Lake St Clair,” she said.

“We’ll also continue to build on the results we’ve already achieved in sustainability, with actions including working with the Sustainability Committee to develop a plan to reduce risks to biodiviersity and reduce Council’s carbon footprint.

“The draft Plan is an important document because it sets the direction for Council’s program for the coming year. I encourage everyone to have a look and let us know what you think before the deadline for submissions on Sunday 23 April.”

General Manager Jason Linnane said as Council continued its focus on delivering a balanced budget without compromising on the standards for infrastructure and services, it was important to note that about 80 per cent or $15million of the 2023/2024 Infrastructure Services projects was funded by grants.

“Like all budgets, Council’s resources are finite and grant funds are the best way to deliver more to our community. We’ve put a lot of focus on grant applications and the relationships we have with other levels of government which is now paying significant dividends,” he said.

Major capital works projects in the draft 2023/2024 Operational Plan (including Infrastructure Services and Water and Sewer) include:

  • Athletics Amenities Building - $1.6million
  • Putty Valley Road Sealing - $2million
  • Broke Tennis Court Upgrade - $601,150
  • Milbrodale Road footpath - $555,158
  • Mountain Bike Track construction - $450,000
  • Sewage Treatment Plant – Additional Sludge Lagoon and Drying Beds (Construction) - $4.41million

“Led by the Create Singleton 2032 Community Strategic Plan, we’re very conscious of what our community wants for the future and excited to see what we will achieve together in 2023/2024,” Mr Linnane said.

“But we want to make sure we’ve got it right. The draft 2023/2024 Operational Plan is now on public exhibition and all feedback we receive will be analysed and considered.”

The draft 2023/2024 Operational Plan is available to download here and hard copies are available at Council’s Administration Building, Singleton Visitor Information Centre, Singleton Public Library and Singleton Youth Venue.

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