Upper Hunter Shire Council

02/09/2026

🪁🧸 “The Future Starts With Us” Early Childhood Educators’ Day 2026 🧸🪁

Today is Early Childhood Educators’ Day, which recognises the important work of educators across long day care, family day care, kindergartens and preschools.

This year’s theme, “The Future Starts With Us”, is a fitting reminder of the role early childhood educators play in the lives of our youngest community members. Every day, they help children learn, grow, build confidence, explore their interests and develop the foundations they will carry with them into the future.

Here at Council, we are proud to recognise the dedicated teams at our Early Learning Centre and Family Day Care, and the care, patience and commitment they bring to children and families across our community.

And sometimes, the best way to understand the impact they have is to hear it directly from the families they support 💙

💬 “Thank you for taking care of me, for listening to my interests and engaging with them... It makes the days very enjoyable.”

💬 “Thank you to all of the amazing educators at the ELC for nurturing Thea and helping her grow... Thank you for being a second family to Thea.” - Bronnie and Doug

💬 “All the girls are amazing at what they do for our kids and what they teach them through their ELC journey... I cannot thank each and every one of them enough.” - Mark

💬 “Arthur and Harvey would like to thank all the educators for their dedication, support and commitment...” - Melanie

To our educators, and every early childhood educator across the Upper Hunter, thank you for the difference you make every day ❤️

02/09/2026

🛣️ $5,780 per kilometre in Sydney. $1,629 in the Upper Hunter Shire. How’s that fair?

The Australian Government provides billions of dollars each year to local councils through the Financial Assistance Grant program, including funding associated with local roads.

But that money does not come directly from Canberra to Upper Hunter Shire Council. It is provided to the states, with the allocation to individual NSW councils determined through the NSW Local Government Grants Commission process.

Council does not decide how this funding is divided. We receive the allocation determined for us.

So, what does that look like when you compare the funding received against the kilometres of road councils have to look after?

🚗 Sydney: $5,780 per km
🚗 North Sydney: $4,369 per km
🚗 Willoughby: $3,877 per km
🚗 Lake Macquarie: $2,876 per km
🚗 Maitland: $2,699 per km
🚗 Upper Hunter Shire: $1,629 per km

See the pattern? The further we travel from Sydney, the less funding there is per kilometre of road.

Yet a kilometre of road in the Upper Hunter still needs many of the same materials, drainage, machinery, fuel, skilled workers and ongoing maintenance.

And in a Shire covering more than 8,000 square kilometres, those kilometres add up very quickly.

Our roads connect farms to markets, workers to jobs, children to schools and communities to essential services. They carry agricultural produce, livestock, freight and resources that make an enormous contribution to the NSW and Australian economies.

Regional communities help keep this state moving.

So why are we receiving $1,629 per kilometre when the City of Sydney receives $5,780?

Mayor Maurice Collison is hitting the road to show what these figures mean in the real world and why Council continues to advocate for a fairer funding model for regional NSW.

We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for our fair share.

With the next NSW election approaching, Council will continue putting this issue in front of decision-makers and advocating for a funding system that properly recognises the enormous road networks regional councils are responsible for maintaining.

💬 Do you think the current system gives regional communities a fair deal? Let us know what you think below.

Financial Assistance Grant data analysis supplied by Terry Dodds PSM.

01/09/2026

Fire Permits are now required as of 1st September 2026 in the Gunnedah, Liverpool Plains and Upper Hunter Local Government Areas. Applying for a permit can be done through your local brigade or online via rfs.nsw.gov.au/notify

Gunnedah Shire Council Liverpool Plains Shire Council Upper Hunter Shire Council

30/08/2026

🧱 Building bright ideas at Murrurundi Library

Murrurundi Library was a hive of activity recently, with local children putting their creativity and problem-solving skills to work as part of National Science Week.

Thanks to funding from Inspiring Australia NSW, the library was able to purchase LEGO for a special project inspired by this year’s theme, “Seeds of science: Nurturing knowledge for all.”

🌱 Children from Blandford Public School, KLM Family Daycare and Murrurundi Public School were challenged to explore sustainable structures and future-focused design, turning their ideas into some very creative LEGO builds.

The best part is that the LEGO will remain at Murrurundi Library, providing a great new resource for future programs, school holiday activities and other opportunities for local children and families.

👀 Some of the children’s creations are now on display at Murrurundi Library, so make sure you drop in and take a look.

This Inspiring Australia NSW initiative is supported by the Australian Government as part of National Science Week.

28/08/2026

📣 Ordinary Council Meeting – 5:00pm, Monday, 31 August 2026 📣

Council’s August Ordinary Council Meeting starts at 5:00pm, Monday, 31 August, at the Scone Administration Building, and the public is welcome to attend 🏛️

For meeting details, including agenda, visit:

https://www.upperhunter.nsw.gov.au/Council/Council-and-Committee-Meetings/Council-and-Committee-Meetings/OC-31-August-2026

📺 Can’t make it in person? Watch the live stream on YouTube: https://bit.ly/48nGG7v

26/08/2026

💼 Get job ready with our Employment Skills Workshops 💼

Upper Hunter Shire Council and Muswellbrook Shire Council are teaming up to deliver two practical workshops to help young people build confidence and prepare for today’s job market.

📅 Wednesday, 16 September
📍 Scone Youth Centre: 3.30pm to 5.30pm
- Linking your strengths to employment opportunities
- Personal presentation and workplace hygiene

📅 Thursday, 24 September
📍 Scone Youth Centre: 3.30pm to 5.30pm
- Understanding employer expectations
- Developing resilience

There will also be opportunities to take part in mock interviews during the school holidays, giving participants a chance to practise their skills in a supportive setting.

🍕 Pizza and snacks provided.
👉 To book your spot, contact UHSC today on 02 6540 1100 or email: [email protected] or [email protected]

26/08/2026

🚧 Road Closure - Guernsey Street, Scone

Guernsey Street will be temporarily closed between Kelly Street and Parker Street while stormwater drainage works are carried out.

📅 When
Works will commence Monday, 31 August 2026 and are expected to take approximately five working days, weather permitting.

🚗 Traffic changes
Kelly Street will remain open throughout the works.
Detours will be in place around the closure, with motorists asked to follow all traffic management signage and allow a little extra travel time.

For the latest traffic information, visit Live Traffic NSW 👉 https://www.livetraffic.com/incident-details/286159

26/08/2026

🌧️🚨 Wet Weather Closure Alert 🚨🌧️

Due to ongoing wet weather, a number of sportsgrounds & Playgrounds are currently closed to help protect playing surfaces and ensure community safety.

A list of current closures is available on Council’s website and updated as required:
https://www.upperhunter.nsw.gov.au/Places/Closures

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

👉 Stay tuned for updates on when they will reopen.

Find out if any Sportsgrounds, Facilities & Roads in the Upper Hunter Shire are currently closed.

25/08/2026

📣 Update: Event is now fully booked. Please head to the link to join the wait list for future Hunter Learner Night Drives: https://www.trybooking.com/DPADO

🚗🌙 Upper Hunter Shire Council's Hunter Learner Night Drive – Back again! 🌙🚗

Learner drivers (and their supervisors) are invited to join us for a night of real-world driving experience in a safe, practical and supportive setting at Scone Memorial Airport.

📅 Friday 11 September 2026
⏰ 5:30pm
📍 Scone Memorial Airport
🎟️ $20 per vehicle

What’s included:
⭐ Drive the track at night alongside NSW Police
⭐ Practise stationary and mobile breath tests
⭐ Reverse parking, vehicle manoeuvring drills
⭐ Mock vehicle rescue demonstration and heavy vehicle blind spot awareness thanks to VRA Merriwa and Bower’s Heavy Haulage

🌭 Light dinner included
👥 Who can join?

Learner drivers of any age with a supervisor (25+). Bring your Learner's Licence and your supervisor’s Unrestricted Civil Road Licence.

This event aims to lower fatalities among young people through education and practical experiences. It also fosters positive interactions between learner drivers and police, providing a safe environment to ask questions and learn about driving on country roads.

Proudly brought to you by Upper Hunter Shire Council, Hunter Valley Highway Patrol, Hunter Valley PD, sponsored by Bengalla Mining Company, and supported by JBS Australia, Hunter Warbirds, Merriwa VRA, Bower’s Heavy Haulage, Transport for NSW, and Muswellbrook Shire, and Singleton councils.

This is a great chance to build confidence, pick up real-world skills, get some night driving hours, and interact with local police in a relaxed, learner-friendly setting.

🚦 Spots are limited so secure your place today: https://www.trybooking.com/DPADO

The Hunter Learner Night Drive is a community event designed to give learner drivers practical exposure to real-life driving scenarios involving...

24/08/2026

💙 Walking together, supporting our community

Upper Hunter Shire Council is proud to support Jared’s 949 - "Every Step Mattas", returning to Aberdeen this September for its third annual Nine for Nine Walk.

The walk brings family, friends and the wider community together to raise awareness around mental health and su***de prevention, while raising funds for Lifeline and supporting an important conversation across the Upper Hunter.

🚶 Nine for Nine Walk
📅 Wednesday, 9 September
📍 Aberdeen Sport and Recreation Centre
⏰ 10am official start, or from 7am for those wanting to walk before work
👟 Walk any distance up to 9km
💙 No entry fee, with donations of $9 or more encouraged

This year, Australian sporting legend Wally Lewis and his family will also be joining the walk, alongside Jared’s 949 ambassadors, Hunter Therapy Dogs and Next Step Mental Health.

👉 Head to the Jared’s 949 webpage to learn more and donate: https://www.outoftheshadowswalk.org.au/fundraisers/Jareds949Mattas

There are also a number of other events happening across the region as part of Jared’s 949 activities in September. Please head to the Jared's 949 page to find out more: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563027406656

Every step matters, and every conversation can make a difference. 💙

Our team is walking in Out of the Shadows for Lifeline to ensure no one has to face their darkest moments alone.