Works have continued this week at Durham Road, Gresford, and Gresford Road, Torryburn, as well as finalisation of the Tillegra bridge approaches.

Construction works are also continuing on the Clarence Town Sporting Complex and the Williams River Holiday Park amenities.

In recent weeks, council has tripled its road repair and maintenance crews to ensure road damage across the shire can be repaired as quickly as possible, following Dungog's extreme weather flooding events.

The landslip site on Bingleburra Road remains under traffic control and single-lane operation until the final survey and Geotech report is received by council detailing stabilisation and safety of the site.

Unfortunately, works in this area have been hindered by theft and vandalism of the onsite traffic lights, with removal of the solar panels and light batteries on more than one occasion forcing council to install protective barriers to prevent these assets from further damage.

Traffic control will remain in place at this site until it is deemed safe for all motorists.

Work is once again underway on the Bennett Park Sporting Precinct accessible amenities upgrade, following delays in the supply of materials for this project, which have now been resolved.

Bennett Park Sporting Precinct is the main sporting facility located centrally in the Dungog township, and is used by four major sporting codes, as well as local schools and for community events.

The new accessible sporting amenities and car parking will be linked to the existing infrastructure through access paths and walkways to ensure these onsite facilities are accessible for both members of the public and event participants.

This project is funded by the NSW Government through the Stronger Country Communities Fund (SCCF).

In other news, residents seeking to pre-poll their votes in the upcoming Upper Hunter by-election on Saturday 22 May can do so at the Council Chambers and Meeting Room at the Council Administration Building located at 198 Dowling Street, Dungog

The NSW Electoral Commission is offering pre-poll voting at this location from Saturday 15 May to Friday 21 May from 9am-5pm (excluding Sunday 16 May).

Parking will be made available during this time to allow voters with mobility issues easier access to the voting booths.

Please note: council is not involved in any way with the arrangements for or conduct of the by-election or its pre-polling requirements. All enquiries can be directed to the NSW Electoral Commission on 1300 135 736.

And following the success of last month's Meet the Mayor sessions, more events are being held in May. I invite you to come along and discuss the issues that matter most to our unique community.

All sessions run from 4pm to 6pm, with no appointments necessary. Please note a change of venue for this Friday's session from the Council Chambers (previously advertised) to the Doug Walter's Pavilion, due to the Chambers being used by the NSW Electoral Commission for the Upper Hunter by-election.

Join me at:

Also, don't forget to tune into our monthly council meeting this Wednesday evening (19 May). You can view proceedings from 6pm at facebook.com/dungogcouncil

For any other activities, events or happenings around our shire, you can contact me by phone on 4995 7777 or by email on shirecouncil@dungog.nsw.gov.au

I look forward to hearing from you.