What you missed: Council April Meeting

THE Ordinary Council meeting was short and sweet this month, with Mayor Maurice Collison, Deputy Mayor Kiwa Fisher, Councillor James Burns, Councillor Lorna Driscoll and Councillor Lee Watts in attendance. Councillor Sue Abbott was granted a leave of absence from April 15 to May 24, 2021 whilst she campaigns for the Upper Hunter seat in the upcoming by-election. Apologies were also received from Councillor Ron Campbell.

Bowmans Creek Wind Farm:

Council resolved to endorse the draft submission of a Bowmans Creek Wind Farm and forward the submission to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

Draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan:

Council resolved to endorse the draft Delivery Program 2017/2018 to 2021/2022 and Operational Plan 2021/2022. Council has placed documents on exhibition for a period of 28 days, commencing on Thursday, 29 April 2021 and closing on Friday, 28 May 2021. Council will also engage with the community prior to finalising the draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan.

Cassilis Bowling Club:

Council approved a donation of $200 to the Cassilis Bowling Club to assist with the running of the Cassilis Country Music and Campfire event on the October long weekend.<div class=”alignleft”></div>

CBD Revitalisation Project:

Public participants Michael Burke, foundation member of the Scone Revitalisation Committee and Scott Shann, member of the Scone Chamber of Commerce and Industry, gave addressed regarding the Kelly Street Revitalisation.

“Along with the other members of our committee, I’ve put a lot of thought and effort into getting these plans into a manner that will be of greatest lasting benefit to our community, our businesses and our visitors. May I remind you that although I’m a committee member, I am also a ratepayer. The village green street concept on St Aubins Street, is central to the entire design of the Kelly Street redevelopment. It will be an open space meeting spot for family and friends at all times of the week. It will create a landscape area where Christmas pageants, concerts or street theatre could be held. It could also be a venue for open air markets,” said Mr Burke. Mr Burke read letters written by Mark Henley and Owner of Arrowfield Stud Paul Masara, in favour of the village green.

“The loss of six car spaces form the immediate area of Kelly Street and St Aubins Street, needs to be considered with the knowledge there will be 26 more car spaces in the CBD,” said Mr Shann. Truck movements that will be somewhat restricted, will affect three business, one of which has already suggested alternate access, another is a multi-national with alternate options available as does the remaining local business. Added green space to the centre of town is a massive opportunity to increase public amenity in the main street. There is also the prospect of attracting more businesses to town due to what would be a unique main street in this area,” he said. Council also endorsed having traffic lights at the Liverpool Street intersection and a park at St Aubins Street (closure of the street). “This is a long time coming, we need to get our shovels into the ground. It’s certainly something we need to get on with now, the town is screaming out for it,” said Cr Burns.

“I am pleased about the cycleway; I was very reserved in that area of having a cycleway in other main street. I don’t support the green area as much as you guys do but I understand where you’re coming from. I have had quite a lot of feedback that was not positive in that area, but in saying that I’m not going to go against the recommendation. I think it would have been better served to have been closed off when the events happen. I look forward to the green area but I look forward to seeing all of the events that are going to be held in that green area,” Cr Watts said.

Council endorsed the CBD revitalisation design with the following changes:

• Select Option B at Liverpool Street intersection, which includes five parking spaces and left turn lane;
• Speed limit be reduced from 50 kilometres to 40 kilometres per hour;
• Removal of the cycleway from the Kelly Street design;
• Reintroduce centre medians nominally 2.5 metres wide reducing the footway on both sides nominally 800 millimetres;
• Add additional disabled parking spaces, one outside the Commonwealth Bank and one outside the Westpac Bank;
• Move the two disabled spaces on the current design outside Melanies to Campbell’s Corner;
• Add additional two car parking spaces outside Cellarbrations in the area currently identified as green space;
• Include marked crossings at Coles and The Royal Hotel (on Kelly Street);
• Maintaining the alignment of driveway laybacks Nutrien and Saunders Mazda at the same location as the kerb (rather than extending the kerb to the travel lane).

Closed Council Matters:

Council resolved to use the Council property at Liverpool Street, Scone for the provision of emergency housing for a period of up to five years and allocate $36,000 to upgrade it to an acceptable standard. Council will negotiate a head lease arrangement with Upper Hunter Homeless Support to manage the property and operate the day-to-day provision of the service, including basic maintenance of the property.

Council accepted a tender from ACOR Consultants Pty Ltd, for the Moonan Brook Road and Hunter Road Initial Seal Design for a total lump sum of $208,170.55 inclusive of GST. The General Manager will have the delegated authority to conduct all relevant functions under the contract.

Council resolved to acquire Lot 331 DP 1182157 for the purpose of water infrastructure. The General Manager will be the delegated authority, who will negotiate the land acquisition and execute all associated documents. Council will advertise its intention for the land to be classified as Operational. If no objections are received within the 28-day statutory period, part of Lot 331 DP1182157 will be classified as Operational Land.