Message from the Mayor: 11 November 2022

- Martins Creek Quarry submissions

- Vandalism at Coronation Park

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Hello, I'm John Connors, the mayor of Dungog Shire, bringing you this week's mayoral message.  

On Monday and Tuesday of this week, the Independent Planning Commission held public meetings with respect to the proposed expansion of Martins Creek quarry. There were approximately 50 people who attended to make submissions and a larger number than that, that attended to watch the proceedings. In addition to the community submissions, were obviously oral submissions made by the company, the applicant, the Department of Planning and Dungog Council. The director of Planning and Environment and the deputy manager of Assets and Infrastructure, both made submissions in the course of the public meeting, and I was afforded the opportunity of making the last submission on the second day.  

It was apparent from the submissions that were made that the dominant fear of the community is the impact of trucks through the village of Paterson and the road towards Maitland. The trucks at the rate of up to 40 truck movements an hour is quite horrendous. And the impact of that number of trucks has already been felt by the residents when the company was previously operating in an unauthorized manner at about that level.  

So, I think the community can feel well satisfied that they've had the opportunity of putting their point of view to the three commissioners and that it's been supported by Council and by all those that made submissions. So now, we all await the report of the Independent Planning Commission.  

Written submissions can still be made until the close of business next Tuesday, the 15th of November. So if you want to make a written submission, you still have the opportunity to do so. But it must be received by the Commission prior to 1pm on Tuesday, and go to the Commission's website and you'll see the details of how to do that. That's the Independent Planning Commission. You will readily search and find their website.  

It is regrettable that the last week has seen further vandalism within the town of Dungog – vandalism to Coronation Park, which has had a significant amount of money spent on it to upgrade the facilities. And the community has shown their appreciation by a large number of people that constantly use the park since it was upgraded. The playground equipment was all replaced in the area in significant enlarged from what used to be there. 

But to see reckless, stupid behaviour that's resulted in damage, the cost of repair which is as yet unknown but estimated to be between $5,000 and $10,000, is really quite disappointing.  

I urge all members of the community if they see acts of vandalism taking place, please report it to the police or if it's a park or Council property report it to Council. We all have to do what we can to avoid this stupid behaviour. We've seen in the recent past, in the newest toilet block in the town of Dungog at Bruyn Park, where the baby change tables have been completely destroyed by acts of vandalism. We've seen it in the past and on a reasonably regular basis in the toilet block Tucker Park at Paterson. It's quite unbelievable that members of the community think this is an appropriate way in which to behave. And I urge all of you to be vigilant and to report any acts or suspicions that you have to the police or if necessary to Council.  

And with those few sad words, I leave you until next week and good luck. Goodbye