DEVELOPMENT
Streamlining the application process
TOWN CENTRE
Tenders close for construction of town centre project
Our planning and IT teams have been hard at work making it
easier to lodge and assess your development applications online.
We are implementing a system called LODGE to provide for
online lodgement and payment for certain applications, such as
s149 planning certificates. The system will auto-complete certain
fields in the certificates to help save you time.
Selective tenders for construction of the
$10 million town centre revitalisation
project closed on 14 October. Council
worked with four companies to tender
in cooperation with NSW Procurement.
They were:
We are also implementing ASSESS, a web-based system to better
manage the assessment of development applications. The new
system will provide greater consistency in how applications are
assessed and determined. It is also expected to reduce overall
processing times by automating internal referrals and identifying
critical issues early in the assessment process. These systems are
expected to be in place by March 2015.
Check out all our online property tools at
singleton.nsw.gov.au/propertytools
•
Haslin Constructions Pty Limited Belmont
•
Burton Contractors Pty Ltd Homebush
•
CC Pines Pty Limited - Oxford Falls
•
Diona Pty Ltd - Rouse Hill
Council proceeded to selective tender
after it did not receive an adequate
pool of competitive tenders when open
tenders closed in July. Evaluation of the
selective tenders is now under way with
a preferred tenderer to be recommended
to Council in November. It’s anticipated
that construction on the project will be
able to begin before the end of the year.
for delivery in November while the
drinking fountains are on order.
The contract for supply and delivery of
custom seating was awarded in August.
Other aspects of the project have
progressed including fabrication of the
new street lights. They are scheduled for
delivery in November
The semi-mature trees have been
secured and are scheduled for delivery
starting in December. Proprietary seating
fabrication is under way and is scheduled
GRANT APPLICATIONS
RYAN AVENUE
Road upgrade is on track and on budget
Council has received and
reviewed the 50 per cent design
for the $2.9 million upgrade of
Ryan Avenue. The project funded
under the NSW Government’s
Resources for Regions program
is for safety and design upgrades
to the road, in addition to the
installation of new streetlights,
footpaths and cycleways.
A road safety analysis will
be conducted as part of the
process, as well as a review
of environmental factors and
way-finding signage will be
established.
Council has considered a number
of designs and costing options
and these will be further detailed
in the 75 per cent design due
shortly.
The project is on budget and on
schedule and Council is looking
forward to moving into the
construction tender stages in the
coming months.
A detailed geotechnical
investigation and survey of the
project areas was undertaken in
August.
RFS CONTROL CENTRE
GYM & SWIM
Hermitage and Broke roads shortlisted for Resources for Regions funding
Design team gets a workout
Christmas construction date for RFS
Over the past two years we’ve gone
a long way towards addressing our
infrastructure backlog. We’ve actively
pursued grants and low interest loans
across many sources including Resources
for Regions, Hunter Infrastructure
Investment Fund, Local Infrastructure
Renewal Scheme and the Heavy Vehicle
Safety and Productivity Program to
name a few.
Council will lodge a
development application this
month for the $5.9 million
extension and upgrade of the
Singleton Gym & Swim. Based
on the master plan adopted by
Council last year, various design
options for the facility have
been investigated in order to
best maximise the benefits for
patrons.
Site construction works are well
under way on the $3 million Hunter
Valley Rural Fire Service Control
Centre.
fleet. The project is being jointly
funded by the NSW RFS, Singleton
Council and Muswellbrook Shire
Council and is on budget.
The project includes constructing
a facility to be used as a fire control
centre during times of emergency
and major outbreaks of bushfires.
The project team is finalising some
outstanding design issues in order
to maintain the target schedule
which sees the main construction
works completed by Christmas.
In September, the NSW Government
announced that our joint application
with Cessnock City Council for an
upgrade to Hermitage Rd and the Broke
Rd intersection and tourist facilities
has been shortlisted for funding under
Resources for Regions. We have applied
for a total of $16.734 million to which
Cessnock will contribute $200,000 and
we will contribute $100,000.
The total cost of the project will be
$17.134 million and will include
upgrading the length of Hermitage Rd,
the intersection of Hermitage and Broke
roads, the installation of tourist facilities
including signage, rest areas, lighting
and construction of an on-road cycleway
connecting the Hunter Expressway and
the New England Highway with Broke
Rd.
The two councils will now prepare a
detailed application and is due on 31
October 2014.
In addition, we have applied under the
Hunter Infrastructure Investment Fund
for funds to upgrade the junction of New
England Highway and Kelso St; for the
design and re-alignment of Campbell
St from New England Highway to John
St and along John St to Hunter St/Ryan
Ave; and for pedestrian crossings at New
England Highway at Campbell St, New
England Highway at Pitt St and New
England Highway at Dalton Ave.
Facility Design Group has
detailed a design that will
include an extension of the gym
space and the construction of
GREEN SPACES
a new hydrotherapy/program
pool as well as numerous other
upgrades.
Consultation on the designs will
take place this month with the
aim to start construction works
as soon as Autumn next year.
Meanwhile, Council awarded
the contract for construction
of the car park extension on 13
October with work to begin as
soon as practicable.
The project is being funded
under the Hunter Infrastructure
Investment Fund.
Delivering on projects at Glass Parade, Long Gully and Goorangoola roads
Earlier this year, Council engaged
consultants to develop a master plan
for Alroy Oval and consultation was
undertaken in June. A discussion document
has now been received from the consultants.
It addresses the background to the project,
the planning context, an assessment of
sport, recreation and community facilities in
Singleton Heights, outlines the community
engagement process to identify issues
addressed in the study.
This month, Council will consider a report
recommending adoption of the draft Lake St
Clair Master Plan. The draft plan was placed
on exhibition in July and a small number of
comments were received.
Construction of a low level bridge over
First Creek began this month on Long
Gully Road. The design and construction
is being undertaken by Waeger
Constructions.
The bridge is expected to be completed
by 7 November. Late this month, work
on constructing the road approaches
will commence with the entire project
expected to be finished by Christmas.
An application seeking funding to
implement the master plan under the
latest round of Resources for Regions
was unsuccessful, however, Council will
continue to seek external funding for this
project.
Council resolved to fund an upgrade
to the causeway on Long Gully Road in
November 2013. The works were also to
include upgrading the approaches to the
causeway on both sides.
Council is in active discussions with State
Water to progress the long-term tenure of
Lake St Clair, as resolved by Council.
However, investigations revealed that
a low level bridge would provide better
environmental outcomes than a raised
causeway.
Two years ago, Council engaged an
external contractor to construct the
new road Glass Parade. The road base
failed which has been confirmed by
geotechnical investigation. We are
actively seeking this to be rectified by the
contractor.
www.singleton.nsw.gov.au
Detailed earthworks are in the very
final stages and concreting works
have commenced with structural
steel, electrical, communications
and architectural works to follow
shortly.
OUR ROADS
Master plans for our parks and reserves under way
Council has provided feedback and these
will be addressed by the consultant in
the formulation of a master plan to be
submitted to Council for consideration.
The facility will have space for
helicopters to land and take-off and
utilise water sources. The centre will
also be used as an administration
centre for RFS operations and
training in the Hunter Valley as well
as maintaining the RFS volunteer
We will continue to undertake minor
repairs to ensure the safety of road users.
We hope to be able to announce a start
www.singleton.nsw.gov.au
date for reconstruction of this road very
soon and we appreciate the ongoing
patience of local residents.
Meanwhile, detailed design work is
under way for construction of a single
lane box culvert at Double Crossing
on Goorangoola Rd. The project will
include pavement widening to the road
approaches. The design is expected to
be finalised by the end of this month.
The project is being funded using a low
interest loan Council received under the
Local Infrastructure Renewal Scheme.
Free compost tumblers roll out
In September, we hosted our first
compost tumbler collection day at the
Civic Centre as part of our Waterwise
Compost Gardens Program. We
purchased 1,500 compost tumblers of
varying sizes using a grant we received
under the NSW Government’s Waste
Less Recycle More and Better Waste
and Recycling funds administered
by the Environmental Trust and the
Environmental Protection Agency.
Residents had the option of applying
for a 140-litre or 220-litre compost
tumbler with the aim of reducing
waste to landfill by encouraging
www.singleton.nsw.gov.au
composting of food and green waste at
home.
Composting for the home garden not
only reduces waste but also conserves
water and add valuable nutrients to
soil for healthy plant growth.
Participants receive ongoing
information and support from Council
staff throughout the project.
To apply for your free
Waterwise Gardens Compost
Tumbler, visit
www.singleton.nsw.gov.au/compost
SHOPFRONT REBATE
singleton shopfront
rebate program
We’re pleased to announce the launch of
our Shopfront Upgrade Rebate Program,
an initiative providing financial assistance
to tenants and/or owners of shops and
commercial premises in selected streets to
upgrade their building facade, awning and
signage.
Up to $550 (including GST) per project
will be available on a dollar for dollar
basis toward the costs of improvements to
existing shop fronts, including:
•
Painting of the façade;
•
Cleaning the existing façade;
•
Removal of cladding;
•
The minor repair, maintenance or
reinstatement of missing elements;
•
Minor repairs to existing façade tile or
stone accents;
•
Minor repairs to structural façade
elements and awnings; and more.
For more information call the SVIEC team
on 02 6571 5888.
The centre also automatically qualifies as a finalist for the 2014
NSW Tourism Awards for Visitor Information Services to be
announced in November.
Members of the Singleton Visitor Information
and Enterprise Centre team, from left, Kelly
Lynch, Jessica Dunston, Rachael Thomson,
Teona Cousin and Kellie Jordan.
The Big Draw
When: 27 Oct - 7 Nov
Where: Various venues
Cost: Free
T: 02 6571 5888
singleton.nsw.gov.au/
bigdraw
Wambo Singleton
Hall of Fame
In addition to the recently finalised, Hunter Visitor Economy
Destination Management Plan, developed through a partnership
between Singleton Council, Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism
Association and Cessnock City Council, the team is also working
with other Hunter councils to develop a destination management
plan for the Hunter Valley.
When: 29 October
Where: Civic Centr
e
T: 02 6578 7290
halloffame.singleton
.
nsw.gov.au
Pictures in the Park
screening ‘Frozen’
When: 7 November
Where: Allan Bull Reserve
Cost: Free
T: 02 6571 5888
singleton.nsw.gov.au
Singleton Community Garden
xxx
The grand opening of the Singleton Community Garden at Albion
Park was held on 7 September.
Team Singleton is comprised of 18 athletes aged 12 to 15 who will
be competing in swimming, and track and field events.
Presents in the Park
The garden is a collaborative project between enthusiastic
community members, avid gardeners and Singleton Council’s
Place Making program.
This is the first time the ICG have been held in the Southern
Hemisphere and Singleton is one of only 14 Australian cities
entering a team.
Donations can be made to:
Singleton Council
BSB: 082-845
Acc number: 509 936 565
Reference: Children’s Games
Remittance advice: [email protected]
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Have your say and be heard about
the issues that matter to you
Receive notifications and updates about consultation activities
being undertaken by Singleton Council
Join today at singleton.nsw.gov.au/voicebox
www.singleton.nsw.gov.au
When: 5 December
Where: Rose Point Park
Cost: Free
T: 02 6571 5888
singleton.nsw.gov.au/
events
Since work began in August last year, it’s grown from an
empty, underutilised place into a re-purposed space for
everyone.
Scan me with
your QR reader
to meet the
team
JOIN VOICEBOX
oicebox
The win, announced at a gala dinner in August bolsters the centre’s
reputation within the Hunter Valley for outstanding information
services and earns it a place in the prestigious Qantaslink Hunter
Central Coast Tourism Awards Hall of Fame.
community garden opening
Singleton Council is thrilled to be
supporting Team Singleton - our
representatives at the 48th International
Children’s Games (ICG) to be held in Lake Macquarie.
Singleton
FOR YOUR DIARY
For the third year in a row, the Singleton Visitor Information and
Enterprise Centre (SVIEC) has won gold at the Qantaslink Hunter
Central Coast Tourism Awards for Visitor Information Services.
Download the program guidelines and
application form from singleton.nsw.gov.
au/shopfront
Show your support for
Council is inviting organisations and businesses to support Team
Singleton with the purchase of uniforms and transportation.
SPRING 2014
Visitor centre in tourism hall of fame
TEAM SINGLETON
The Games kick off on 6 December with events to be held at
various venues throughout Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. Entry
to all the events is free.
CELEBRATIONS AND EVENTS
The Singleton Community Garden committee has hosted
five working bees, created a five-bay compost bin and
erected six beds, made from recycled materials, ready for
planting.
Australia Day Fair
When: 26 January
n
Where: Civic Gree
e
Fre
Cost:
T: 02 6571 5888
u/
singleton.nsw.gov.a
ay
australiad
Join the Singleton Community
Garden group on Facebook
Your Council
Local government is changing to be Fit for the Future
The most significant changes to the
structure of local government since the
ratification of the Local Government Act
in 1993 were unveiled last month.
government including a new Local
Government Act to be phased in from
2016/17 that will focus on Integrated
Planning and Reporting.
Singleton Council, like all councils in
NSW apart from those in the Far West,
have until 30 June 2015 to submit a
proposal outlining our plans to become
Fit for the Future.
The new legislation will review the
rating system, provide greater clarity on
the roles and responsibility of mayors
and general managers, and review the
regulatory burden on councils.
Those councils that can demonstrate they
are Fit for the Future will have access
to discounted or low interest loans, a
streamlined IPART process for setting
rates, priority access to state funding
and other grants, more flexibility with
procurement and simplified reporting.
The Fit for the Future package is the
NSW Government’s response to three
years of consultation and research
and the recommendations of the
Independent Local Government Review
Panel and the Local Government Act
Taskforce.
The government has also announced
changes to the system of local
Our Council has commenced work
on our submission to the government
KNOW YOUR COUNCILLORS
Mayor John Martin
T: 0407 041 621
jmartin@singleton.
nsw.gov.au
Cr Tessa Capsanis
T: 0409 979 608
tcapsanis@singleton.
nsw.gov.au
Cr Hollee
Diemar-Jenkins
T: 0418 595 484
hjenkins@singleton.
nsw.gov.au
Contact Us
Civic Centre, Queen Street,
Singleton NSW 2330
P: 02 6578 7290 F: 02 6572 4197
E: [email protected]
looking at the sustainability of our
operations in the context of the
government’s detailed response to
the Independent Review of Local
Government.
We have until the end of the year to
demonstrate our scale and strategic
capacity and until 30 June to submit
our roadmap for the future. All changes
will be required to be implemented by
September 2016.
Fortunately, we are well prepared to meet
this challenge and are already operating
in accordance with many of the Fit for
the Future criteria.
For more information visit
fitforthefuture.nsw.gov.au
Message from the Mayor and General Manager
Cr Bob Keown
T: 0409 057 218
bkeown@singleton.
nsw.gov.au
Cr Sue Moore
T: 0407 029 341
smoore@singleton.
nsw.gov.au
We are now midway through this
term of Council and we are very
pleased with the progress of this
Council and how it’s working.
Cr Val Scott
T: 0407 042 679
vscott@singleton.
nsw.gov.au
Cr John Martin
Deputy Mayor
Godfrey Adamthwaite
T: 0407 042 571
gadamthwaite@
singleton.nsw.gov.au
Proud sponsors of Singleton parkrun
Cr Tony McNamara
T: 0407 042 802
tmcnamara@singleton.
nsw.gov.au
Cr Ruth Rogers
T: 0407 041 542
rrogers@singleton.
nsw.gov.au
Cr Danny Thompson
T: 0400 249 374
dthompson@
singleton.nsw.gov.au
Like us Facebook.com/SingletonCouncil
Follow us @Singleton_NSW
Authorised by Singleton Council General Manager Lindy Hyam
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Lindy Hyam
We have a very positive
relationship between Council and
the administration and we look
forward to delivering what our
community expects over the next
two years.
This year, Council will implement
the largest capital works program
on record, with a focus on
reducing outstanding renewal and
maintenance of Council facilities
and community assets. These
include the Singleton Regional
Livestock Market, Gym & Swim,
Senior Citizens Centre, roads,
parks and other facilities.
We’ve undertaken extensive
engagement with the community
over the past two years on many
different activities to develop long
term strategies and actions to
better our community.
www.singleton.nsw.gov.au
One area we know is of concern
to residents is stormwater. We
are about to review our Urban
Stormwater Management Plan to
ensure the most appropriate means
for Council to address this issue
over the long term.
Council resolved at its meeting
on 16 December 2013 to allocate
$150,000 to review the plan
and will include stormwater
management and planning for
infrastructure in order to achieve
outcomes in the plan.