ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE

To keep the community informed about road maintenance and repairs in the Dungog Shire, here is an update on where Council crews are working and what they are working on.  

In the last month, tar patching works were undertaken at Glen Martin Road, Salisbury Road, Paterson River Road,  Chichester Dam Road, Black Camp Creek Road, Martins Creek Road, Cory Street, and Black Rock Road.  

In the coming weeks there will be crews and contractors working on the following roads and bridges, pending weather:  

Road works

• Hooke Street Dungog – Abelard to Mary Street. This project is scheduled for completion this month.  Works will then commence on the next section of Hooke Street between Eloiza and Moore Streets. 

• Webbers Creek Road - Scheduled for completion in December.

• Gresford Road - North of Vacy. Scheduled for completion in January 2023. 

• Bingleburra Road tender has been awarded, and works will commence this month.

Bridge works

• Thalaba Bridge works are set to conclude this month with the bridge open to traffic in the coming weeks.  

• Banfield Bridge project construction is to get underway this month.  

• Work on Fosterton Bridge replacement is underway.  

• Hopson Bridge construction and associated road approach works are underway.  

• Saxby’s Bridge is complete with associate road approaches under construction.  

Major development projects

The Gresford Sporting Complex amenities project, worth almost $927,000,  is tracking well and should be complete by the end of the year, and the much-awaited $1.08 million Dungog Library extension project is scheduled for practical completion in the first quarter of 2023. 

AUSTRALIA DAY AWARD
NOMINATIONS

You have just one week left to get your nominations in for Dungog’s Australia Day Awards. 

Do you know of someone in the community that has gone out of their way to help out a neighbour? Maybe its your local sporting club volunteer that turns up rain, hail, or shine for their team? Or is a junior sporting star that needs to be recognised for all their hard work and training?   

It doesn’t have to be a big act of service, displaying the qualities of community mindedness, compassion, sporting determination or good spirit is all it takes to qualify for award nominations.  It’s the little things that often have the big impacts. 

Nominate your unsung hero today while there’s still time. Forms are available to fill out in person at Council’s administration building (and other places) or via the website.
 

VACY COUNTRY CARNIVAL:
A SLICE OF RURAL PARADISE

Keep Sunday, 27 November free because you won’t want to miss out on the country town goodness of the Torryburn Stud Vacy Country Carnival. 

It’s a fun day for the whole family with everyone’s favourite showcases- the whip cracking and wood chopping displays, a range of delectable wine tastings, not to mention firefighting demonstrations, camel rides, and showbags to keep the kids on their toes. There are even pet portraits for the furry family members! 

And of course, it wouldn’t be the Vacy Country Carnival without the world famous Vacy Scone Off! You can’t miss out on the baking magic that goes on in this little part of the world. 

Stay up to date with all the information leading up to the Carnival here.

DUNGOG SHOW 2022 WRAP UP

What a weekend! The Dungog Show was, once again, a huge success and such a great time for everyone involved.  

The Show kicked off on Friday with some junior events and visits from local schools, getting our future leaders into the community, and showing off why they should be proud to be from Dungog.  

Saturday was a jam-packed day of fun, literally, with an array of local jams, as well as other cooking, crafts, and plant displays at the Ladies Pavilion. We saw the most beautiful animals at the poultry and cattle judging and the best-dressed pet! And who could forget all the races – camels, dachshunds, pigs – you name it, we raced it! The sun was out for our super-strong post,-splitting axemen, and there were heaps of rides and an animal nursery for the Dungog youngsters. 

The show ended extravagantly with a spectacular fireworks display. 

Congratulations to all the competition winners, including this proud hen from Rocking Chair Farm. It was great to see so many entrants showing off their agricultural skills and crafty talents. We can’t wait to see what the 2023 Dungog Show has to offer!

CHAMPIONING DUNGOG

We continue to champion Dungog Shire to all levels of government and at this week’s Council meeting, Councillors resolved to place on public exhibition a new strategy that advocates that the economic growth and expansion across the Shire is supported by improvement of local public and private infrastructure.  

Council will direct its efforts on advocating and calling on the NSW Government to partner with Council by reclassifying key roads and embarking on a unique 10 for 10 program to deliver new investment into transport, community infrastructure, and housing. By partnering with Dungog Shire Council,  the NSW Government can meet any number of State Outcomes, including creating stronger and more cohesive regional communities and economies.  

Our draft advocacy strategy document sets out a comprehensive blueprint for future advocacy endeavours whereby Council can campaign for a fair go for Dungog.