Mayoral Column - 22 February 2023

Published on 22 February 2023

It was an honour to preside over the first meeting of Council last Wednesday, officially kicking off the council term in a passionate and productive way.

I am thrilled to express my support for the upcoming Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival, a celebration of the town's rich history and cultural heritage. This annual event brings the community together in a celebration of all things vintage, including classic cars, motorcycles, and live entertainment. Not only does the festival foster a sense of community, but it also supports local businesses. I encourage everyone to come out and enjoy this wonderful event, and to take part in preserving the town's history for future generations.

I met with Scott Barrett MLC last week to talk about Bridges Hill Park, and am pleased to announce that we have received a grant of nearly $600,000 from the Stronger Country Communities Fund for a much-needed upgrade to the skate park. As someone who used to play in this skate park as a kid, I am excited to see this much needed upgrade, as this project will not only provide a safer environment for our local youth but will also be a great attraction for skaters across the region. As Mayor, I am committed to delivering positive outcomes for our community, and this upgrade is a perfect example of that. I look forward to seeing the local community and visitors enjoy the upgraded skate park in the near future.

The Maybury Peace Park Play Space upgrade is now complete and open for the enjoyment of our local community. Thanks to the Stronger Country Communities Fund Round 4, we were able to secure a $300,000 grant to undertake the upgrade of this much-loved park. The new facilities include inclusive play equipment, nature play elements, and beautifully landscaped areas. The project was successfully completed ahead of schedule and within budget by the Open Space and Community Facilities outdoor teams and Play Space contractors. To celebrate the new upgrades, an opening day will be held on Wednesday 22 February 2023 at 10am. I encourage everyone to come out and experience the new upgrades with their families—there is something for everyone to enjoy.

I am also incredibly proud to announce, in partnership with Singleton Council, the establishment of a BlazeAid temporary camp in Millfield, as a response to the July 2022 flood disaster. The camp will provide much-needed labour support to local landholders in areas of Cessnock and Singleton, who have been unable to re-build fences that were damaged during the floods. The camp will accommodate up to 20 volunteers and will open from Monday, February 13th. The project will be funded by the NSW Reconstruction Authority and will be run by experienced BlazeAid coordinators and volunteers.