The project is funded through the Clubgrants Category 3 Infrastructure Grants program. As you are probably aware, this building housed the emergency management operations centre during the April 2015 floods, and was recently utilised during the minor floods earlier this year.

This funding will be used for a private interview room; telecommunications, including internet, to be permanently located there and (possibly) directional signage to be installed. This is a most welcome announcement from State Local Member Michael Johnsen.

Councillors were recently given a presentation from solar/renewable energy expert Dr Richard Findlay-Jones, who provided an overview on the possibilities, from Council’s perspective, of developing renewable energy infrastructure in the Shire.

This is quite an involved topic and there is more research to be undertaken, but it was good to get the conversation started.

The recently established Councillor Portfolio Groups (1. Economic Development; 2. Agribusiness; 3. Roads and Bridges; and 4. Cultural Development) provided feedback at our last Councillor Strategic Workshop on Monday evening.

There are some very positive strategic concepts being brought forward by Councillors that will be used to lobby both State and Federal Government in the upcoming elections.

Council’s General Manager (GM), Coralie Nichols, and I met with Anna Chubb from the Hunter Development Corporation (HDC). HDC started out life as the Honeysuckle Development Corporation with a Newcastle-centric focus. However, it has since broadened its purview to a more Hunter-wide focus.

The HDC reports to the Department of Planning and Environment and has expertise in planning and commercial development.

At our meeting we discussed ways that HDC can assist Dungog Shire Council going forward. The GM and I are engaging with as many key agencies as possible to establish willing partnerships we need to get the Shire on an upward trajectory. We are finding in these agencies a real willingness to assist us where they can, and we feel that we are making real headway.

Last Friday the GM and I met with Steve Wills, Aaron Spadaro and Melissa Gore from the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC). We have regular catch ups with the DPC to discuss various projects and potential funding opportunities.

This meeting concentrated on a potential joint response from State Government agencies and Departments to assist with funding Dungog Council’s asset backlog (predominantly road and bridge infrastructure).  We also discussed funding concerns in relation to the cost of the upgrade of Brig O’Johnson Bridge in Clarence Town.

The September ordinary meeting will take place tonight (September 19). As always, I encourage you to come along and see democracy in action. I am please to say that the number of regular attendees of our meetings is on the increase, and I am hoping that the Spring weather conditions may be more conducive for people to join us in the chamber gallery.

The GM and I are travelling to Sydney on Friday to meet with the Executive Director from the NSW Office of Sport. The Office is responsible for planning, managing and delivering high quality venues, facilities and sport and active recreation development programs, high performance sport and sports integrity and safety.

It is also the driver for NSW sport policy and strategy, formation and dissemination of insights and information, and the promotion of partnerships. We want the NSW Office of Sport to have a keen understanding of our sporting infrastructure needs here in Dungog and to assist us in improving our sporting offer.