January Council Meeting
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Dartbrook Road, Aberdeen at Dartbrook Bridge will be closed from 8am on 15th November 2023 until April 2024, but remains accessible from New England Highway and Nandowra Road up to the bridge.
Published on 30 January 2024
Upper Hunter Shire Council's January Council meeting, marked significant progress in community development and financial planning.
Council approved Development Application for establishing a community nursery at Lots 236 and 237 DP 750942, Hacketts Road, Merriwa. This decision paves the way for the creation of a nursery to support ‘Merriwa Greenthumbs’ which is affiliated with Merriwa Landcare. This project aligns with Council's goals of fostering community engagement and environmental sustainability.
In a move towards financial stability, Council also indicated its intention to notify the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) of a proposed Special Rate Variation (SRV) for the 2025/2026 financial year. This step comes as part of Council's ongoing efforts to address a trend of negative operating results and the need for a more sustainable financial model. The SRV, which has been communicated in previous community presentations, is seen as a necessary measure to ensure continued high-quality services and infrastructure maintenance.
Council will explore several models for the SRV and will engage in extensive community consultation before making a final decision.
Additionally, Council endorsed a draft planning agreement for the Goulburn River Solar Farm Project. This agreement between Upper Hunter Shire Council and Goulburn River Fund Pty Ltd includes contributions towards a community enhancement fund and a road maintenance fund, as well as significant infrastructure improvements like the sealing and widening of 4.7km of Wollara Road. This project represents a strategic collaboration to harness renewable energy while contributing positively to the local community and infrastructure.