March Council Meeting Recap

Published on 28 March 2023

Upper Hunter Shire Council adopted several recommendations during the Council meeting held on Monday. These recommendations include the establishment of a Return and Earn reverse vending machine at the former driver reviver site in Merriwa, providing financial assistance to local community groups requesting donations, renaming roads within the Scone Racing Precinct, and reaffirming the adoption of the Council Codes of Conduct and Meeting Practice.

The recommendation to support the establishment of a Return and Earn reverse vending machine at the former driver reviver site in Merriwa was adopted by Council subject to favourable community consultation and all approvals being met.

Council provided financial assistance to a number of community organisations and individuals during the meeting, including Andrew Driffield. Mr. Driffield has requested financial support from Council to represent Australia at the Virtus Global Games for Elite Athletes with an intellectual impairment. The event is an equestrian competition being held in Vichy, France from 4 to 10 June 2023. The Australian Team is expected to be announced in March 2023. Council endorsed a donation of $500.00 should Mr. Driffield be selected to represent Australia.

Council also approved the permanent renaming of three roads within the Scone Racing Precinct as requested by Scone Race Club. The current names of Flemington Drive, Moonee Valley Close, and Caulfield Place will be changed to Everest Drive, Golden Eagle Close, and Golden Slipper Place, respectively.

Councillor James Burns' Notice of Motion to reaffirm the adoption of the Code of Conduct and the Code of Meeting Practice was also adopted by Council on a vote of 8 for and 1 against. Council will continue to hold councillors and staff to the high standards of the Model Code of Conduct for Local Councils in NSW, as well as the Model Code of Meeting Practice for Local Councils in NSW.

Council received a response from the Hon Barnaby Joyce, who wrote to the Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Small Business, the Hon Julie Collins MP, and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Small and Family Business, the Hon Sussan Ley MP, seeking assistance for the Council's resolutions to support struggling small businesses. Council noted the correspondence and will continue to advocate for small businesses in the Upper Hunter area.