Hello, Dungog Shire. I’ll kick off the council video this week with an event I attended earlier in the week: the Lower Hunter Rural Fire Service fleet handover. So there are around 10 new trucks that officially got handed over across the Lower Hunter, and for Dungog Shire, Gresford Station received their new Cat One truck. So, well done to Gresford. I know that they cover an enormous area there, so I’m sure it’ll be put to very good use. This is also a credit to the New South Wales government, who are currently making a massive investment in RFS assets across the state, so it’s really good to see, and it’s good to see that we’re benefiting here in Dungog Shire.
Over the past week, I’ve received a significantly large number of emails about the tree on Hospital Hill, that large tree just in front of the hospital. So I wanted to provide an honest update on where things actually stand now. At this stage, no decision has been made about the future of the tree. The hospital road project is still being designed, and Council will consider a range of factors before any decisions are made. This includes road safety, engineering requirements, environmental assessments, and the long-term health of the tree as well. And I understand one of the assessments on the actual health of the tree has just taken place this week.
I also want to clear up one point that seems to be circulating based on everything I’ve seen and been told. This is not about building a car park. The real challenge is that this road-funded project, which is funded by the state, or a grant that we received anyway, like any new project, needs to be designed to current engineering and road safety standards. So those standards require designers to consider roadside clearances, roadside hazards, and this is where the tree becomes a real issue. So even if options such as narrowing the road or changing the traffic arrangements, say, to a one-way, are investigated, there’s also the question of the excavation around the tree’s root system. Removing a significant portion of the roots to construct that new road will ultimately jeopardise the stability and health of the tree long- term. That also needs to be assessed. So I know this isn’t necessarily the update many people are hoping for, but I don’t think it’s fair to pretend there isn’t a genuine issue and challenge here. Ultimately, this could come down to a difficult decision. And if all investigations conclude that the tree cannot reasonably be retained while delivering the road upgrade, then Council will need to decide whether replacing the road is worth that trade-off. So, equally, if there is a practical option that allows both the road upgrade and the tree to be retained, I’m sure everyone would welcome that outcome, including me. But importantly, we’re not at that point yet. There’s no final design or decision that has been endorsed by Council yet. I also understand that Cr Campbell intends to move a motion at the next Council Meeting, seeking to ensure every reasonable option to retain the tree is fully investigated. I fully intend to support that motion as well. So I’ll continue to keep the community informed as more information becomes available. I know it is a concern out there in the community. I think it’s important for people to understand the facts as they emerge, rather than relying on talk in the community. So I hope that clears up some things about the tree and where it’s at now.
Moving on, Run Dungog is next weekend, August 9. If you head over to Run Dungog’s website, you’ll get all the events details. There are lots of activities in The Common that day besides just running. This is a really growing event. I don’t know if you were there last year, but the crowds were absolutely huge. And I know this year’s shaping up to be a bigger one as well. I’ll be there doing the 10km run. So make sure you head over and register.
Moving on to Duke and Durham Street works. Durham Street in Clarence Town, which is at the Duke Street intersection, will be permanently closed as of Monday, the 10th of August. This is part of the next stage of the Clarence Town Bridge project, which is still progressing. The closure is not temporary roadworks; it’s a permanent change, and it’s to ensure the safety of pedestrians and motorists who use that new bridge, as well as those entering and exiting the Williams River Holiday Park. This project will essentially create a cul-de-sac and improve footpath connections, helping people move around more safely. It’s going to be quite a busy area down there. The closure of Durham Street was approved by Council earlier this year, following extensive community consultation. And the outcome determined that that was the most suitable practical outcome. There will be some temporary traffic impacts on Duke Street during construction, but obviously, there are already some traffic impacts from the whole bridge project. Bus services are also being managed, and there are alternate routes already in progress. This work on the Clarence Town Bridge is a big one. Unfortunately, it is going to take some time. The completion is currently targeted for around early 2027, so we’ve still got a little bit to go on that project, but it will be worth it.
Okay, moving on to our tree giveaway. This is a good one! To celebrate Local Government Week, and in conjunction with National Tree Day, Dungog Shire Council is once again giving away 350 native tube tree stock to residents of Dungog Shire. Trees will be available from next Tuesday, 4th August, during Local Government Week, and can be collected from Clarence Town Post Office, Dungog Shire Council Administration Building, and Riverdene Nursery. Please note that stock is limited. It is a first-in-best-dressed situation, and there’s a limit of three trees per household.
That’s it for now. Make sure you get on to Run Dungog, and I’ll see you there!
