NOTICE OF MEETING

Notice is hereby given, in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 1993 that a Meeting of Singleton Council will be held in the Council Chambers, Queen Street Singleton, on Monday 2 February 2009, commencing at 5:30 pm.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION FOR COUNCIL MEETINGS HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS

In case of an emergency, for example a fire, please evacuate the building via the marked exit doors (Mayor points to the doors). The order to evacuate may be signified by an alarm siren or by a Council officer or myself. Please proceed to the green “emergency assembly area” signs either near the cycleway on Queen Street (Mayor points in direction of Queen Street) or at the other side of the carpark towards the Gym & Swim (Mayor points again). An instruction to evacuate to a marked area shoud be followed without delay to assist Council in ensuring the Health and Safety of all staff and visitors.

AGENDA PAGE

Apologies

Confirmation of Minutes

1. 01/12/2008

Mayoral Minute

Disclosures and Declarations of Interest

Withdrawal of Items and Late Items of Business

Presentations

Public Access Session

Director Operations Report No. 2/09

1. Waste Conference 2009

Manager Community Services Report No. 1/09

1. Community Grants

2. Cultural Development Advisory Committee

3. Colleen Gale Children's Services

4. Youth Programs

5. Community Development November 2008 - January 2009

6. Singleton Disability Advisory Committee Meeting

Manager Parks and Facilities Report No. 1/09

1. Singleton Lions Club - Expo Site Electrical Power Boxes

Manager Water and Waste Report No. 1/09

1. Water and Sewer Reports - 01/11/2008 - 31/12/2008

2. Water Reform - Inquiry into Secure and Sustainable Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Services for Non-Metropolitan NSW

Manager Design and Contracts No. 1/09

1. Design & Contracts Program Area - Jobs in Progress

2. Acquisition of part of Lot 5 DP 263134 for road widening - Glendonbrook Road

Manager Works Report No. 3/09

1. Bitumen Resealing Program

2. Works Program Area Maintenance and Construction

3. Minutes of the Local Traffic Committee Meeting - 27 November 2008

4. Naming of Un-named Lane between Putty Road and Army Camp Road to Heuston Lane

Questions Without Notice in Writing

ACTING GENERAL MANAGER

Singleton Council’s Vision Statement is:

“Singleton. A progressive community of excellence and sustainability”

Singleton Council’s Mission Statement is:

“To provide quality services to the community in an efficient and friendly manner encouraging responsible development”

Singleton Council’s Core Values are:

	Value	Definition
·	Service	Putting the needs of customers first and achieving excellence in customer service;
·	Consistency	Having a professional approach to work with the highest ethical standards and a businesslike manner across the organisation;
·	Focus	Maintaining a clear focus on the vision and agreed goals;
·	Respect	Earning and retaining the respect of the community;
·	Pride	General pride in works and services;
·	Communication	Excellence in communications;
·	Achievement	Developing a well trained, motivated and focussed staff and elected Council;
·	Equity	Being a fair and equitable employer and provider of services;
·	Reliance	Ensuring that the community, elected Council and staff can rely upon each other;
·	Commitment	Displaying commitment and cohesion between community, elected members and staff;
·	Efficiency	Services provided by the organisation are to be carried out with the efficient allocation of resources;

COUNCIL POLICY

Council adopted a Code of Conduct

which provides details of statutory requirements and gives guidance in respect of the way in which pecuniary and conflict of interest issues should be approached.

Generally, the policies refer to the following issues:

1. Councillors are under an obligation at law to disclose any interest they may have in any matter before the Council and to refrain from being involved in any consideration or to vote on any such matter.

2. Councillors must disclose any interest in any matter noted in the business paper prior to or at the opening of the meeting.

3. The nature of the interest shall be included in the notification.

4. Councillors shall immediately and during the meeting disclose any interest in respect of any matter arising during the meeting which is not referred to in the business paper.

5. All declarations of interest shall be recorded by the General Manager.

6. All disclosures of interest shall as far as is practicable be given in writing.

7. Any member having an interest shall leave the meeting and remain absent while the subject of the interest is being considered by Council.

8. The meeting shall not discuss any matter in which a councillor has an interest while the councillor is present at the meeting.

SINGLETON COUNCIL	Meeting of Singleton Council - 2 February 2009
	Director Operations Report No. 2/09

1.

Waste Conference 2009 Author: Leisa Parsons

FILE: 09/0008

Executive Summary:

This year’s Waste Conference is being held at Coffs Harbour between Tuesday 31 March and Thursday 2 April 2009.

A significant feature of the program will be addressing the latest issues on the Federal Government’s recently released Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme White Paper.

There will also be a number of sessions covering the landfill levy, contracts and tenders for Alternate Waste Technologies (AWT), innovative landfill management, resource recovery, E-waste and waste education strategies. A copy of the preliminary conference program is at Attachment 1 to this report.

Arrangements are in train for up to two Council Officers to attend. It is suggested that Council send up to two Councillor delegates to this conference due to the importance of continued research on long term waste disposal options as well as keeping informed about Carbon Pollution and Waste Levy issues.

RECOMMENDED that Singleton Council send up to two delegates from the elected Council to the Waste 2009 Conference to be held at Coffs Harbour between Tuesday 31 March 2009 and Thursday 2 April 2009, and further, that Council determine which Councillors attend.

Leisa Parsons Brian Carter

Waste Coordinator Acting Director Operations

AT-1View

Waste 09 Conference

5 Pages

Attachment 1	Director Operations Report No. 2/09
Waste 09 Conference	Waste Conference 2009

SINGLETON COUNCIL	Meeting of Singleton Council - 2 February 2009
	Manager Community Services Report No. 1/09

1.

Community Grants Author: Jennifer Blythe

FILE: 05/0104

Detail:

This report describes the activities of the Community Grants Project Officer for December 2008 and January 2009. (Officer on leave from 19 December 2008 – 6 January 2009.)

Funding Applications Submitted – Council

Dept	Project	Funding Body	Project Amount	Grant Amount
Parks & Facilities	Lockable Art Shed at Youth Venue New Amenities Building for Junior Rugby League and Cricket Cycleway at McDougalls Reserve Cycleway Village Green	Regional & Local Community Infrastructure Program	$476,000	$381,000
Council	Singleton Disability: Access All Areas – Facilities for Whole of Community Participation	Regional & Local Community Infrastructure Program – Strategic Projects	$3,756,527	$3,314,527
Parks & Facilities	Equipment at All Abilities Playground Rose Point Park	NSW Dept of Local Government	$316,750	$20,000
Library	International Women’s Day	Office for Women	$1,000	$1,000

Funding Received – Community

Organisation	Project	Funding Body	Project Amount	Grant Amount
St Johns Ambulance	Volunteer equipment	Volunteer Grants Program	$8,500.00	$8,500.00
Mt Pleasant P&C	Volunteer/sporting equipment	Volunteer Grants Program	$2,954.00	$2,954.00
Junior Touch Football	Volunteer/sporting equipment	Volunteer Grants Program	$1,050.00	$1,050.00
Senior Citizens	Volunteer equipment	Volunteer Grants Program	$1,357.00	$1,357.00

Uniting Care

Volunteer equipment

Volunteer Grants Program

$2,111.50

$2,111.50

Projects – Community Groups

v New Projects:

§ Documenting history of Putty Road

§ Chamber of Commerce – Building our Country grant

§ Veolia Water Project Support

§ Country Arts Support Program Grants/Workshop

§ Allied Health Project

v Ongoing Projects:

§ Singleton Netball Association – additional lighting

§ Singleton Junior Touch Football – new storage shed

§ Hunter Valley Offroad Association – Camp Quality Sponsorship

§ Branxton Rodeo Grounds – Lighting

§ Hunter Prelude

§ Witmores

§ EDI Downer

Projects – Council

Ongoing Projects:

§ Rose Point Park All Abilities Playground

§ BMX Track Upgrade

§ New VIC

Special Projects

§ Area Assistance Scheme

§ Country Arts Support Program (Arts NSW)

Meetings – Community Groups:

§ 9 Dec UnitingCare

§ 9 Dec Hunter Valley Offroad Racing

§ 10 Dec Allied Health

§ 10 Dec Hunter Valley Offroad Racing

§ 10 Dec Singleton Interagency

§ 16 Jan St Johns Ambulance

Meetings – Council:

§ 27 Nov Coal & Allied Steering Committee

§ 5 Dec Area Assistance Scheme Local Ranking Committee

§ 15 Dec Communications Committee

§ 16 Dec Cultural Development Advisory Committee

FOR COUNCIL’S INFORMATION

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

SINGLETON COUNCIL	Meeting of Singleton Council - 2 February 2009
	Manager Community Services Report No. 1/09

2.

Cultural Development Advisory Committee Author: Jennifer Blythe

FILE: 07/0315

Executive Summary:

Singleton Cultural Development Advisory Committee met on Tuesday 16 December 2008 and a copy of the Minutes is attached as Attachment 1.

The Committee resolved to recommend to Council the Singleton CBD Streetscape Improvement Project Consultation Submission be noted.

RECOMMENDED that:

1. Council note the Singleton Cultural Development Advisory Committee meeting minutes of Tuesday 16 December 2008.

2. the Singleton Cultural Development Advisory Committee Submission Singleton CBD Streetscape Improvement Project, to be signed by Cr Lyn MacBain as Chair and on behalf of the Singleton Cultural Development Advisory Committee, be noted.

Attachments

AT-1View	Minutes Cultural Development Advisory Committee 16 December 2008	3 Pages
AT-2View	Singleton Cultural Development Advisory Committee CBD Streetscape Project Consultation Submission	5 Pages

Attachment 1	Manager Community Services Report No. 1/09
Minutes Cultural Development Advisory Committee 16 December 2008	Cultural Development Advisory Committee

Cultural Development Advisory Committee

Minutes

Tuesday 16 December 2008

Present

Cr Lyn Mac Bain

Jennifer Underwood Manager Community Services

Jennifer Blythe (Acting Manager Community Services- as of January 2009)

Salena Kearney Manager Tourism

Bridget Nicholson Arts Upper Hunter

Roy Palmer

Jan Fallding

Hope Hardy

Apologies

Cr Godfrey Adamthwaite

Carey Duggan Youth Programs Coordinator

Kim Horn Parks Technician

Robyn Tonks Manager Library

Janice Hanicar

Sheri McEvoy

Debra Hogan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc.

Meeting commenced at 5.30pm.

1. Welcome to Jennifer Blythe who will be Acting Manager Community Services when Jennifer Underwood commences maternity leave in January 2009.

Apologies and previous Minutes accepted

Nicholson/Hardy

2. Business arising from previous minutes

2.1 Next meeting dates are recorded incorrectly; should be Tuesday 24 February 2009 & Tuesday 28 April.

2.2 Salena is unable to attend meetings as coincides with another regular meeting.

2.3 Meeting times were agreed to be;

- Tuesday 24 February 2009

- Tuesday 31 March 2009

- Tuesday 30 June 2009

- Tuesday 29 September 2009

It was also discussed that additional meeting times are likely throughout the development of the Cultural Plan over the first 3 months of 2009.

2.3 Outstanding Action sheet items will be discussed as General Business.

3. General Business

3.1 Singleton CBD Streetscape Improvement Project consultation submission Draft 2 (Tabled document 1)

- Feedback was sought from members of the Committee that were not in attendance at last meeting on Draft 1 of the streetscape consultation submission. Feedback gained didn’t request changes to be made.

- Discussion was held on Draft 2, with thanks and recognition to Bridget and Jan for developing Draft 2, on behalf of the Committee.

- Amendments to Draft 2 included grammatical errors and clarification that recognized the Committees support for the Project, but not for the Concept Report in its current form. With amendments made, the Committee agreed that the Chair Cr Lyn MacBain would sign the CDAC Consultation Submission on behalf of the Committee.

Resolved to recommend to Council the Singleton Cultural Development Advisory Committee Submission Singleton CBD Streetscape Improvement Project, to be signed by Cr Lyn MacBain as Chair and on behalf of the Singleton Cultural Development Advisory Committee.

Hardy/Palmer

3.2 Singleton Cultural Plan

- Three quotes were obtained from cultural planning consultants, and Allan Baptist has been engaged to develop the Singleton Cultural Plan, based on experience and affordability within the allocated budget.

- Allan Baptist will be meeting at Council on 14 January 2009, to develop a detailed Project Plan according to his submission and the Consultant Brief.

- Members of the Committee were invited to drop in to meet Allan on the 14 January.

- The possibility of the consultant being engaged for review of the Plan following its initial development was raised. This would come at a cost taken from the budget. It was advised that the Cultural Plan development, implementation and review is one of the Strategic objectives within the Community Services section of Council’s Management Plan. It will therefore be implemented and reviewed according to Council’s reporting and monitoring systems, and reported to Council as part of the CDAC Meetings/ Minutes.

- The Committee questioned when they could meet the consultant and it was advised that this would be discussed with Allan Baptist on the day of his visit on the 14 January, but that his visits come at a financial cost and will be outlined according to the detailed Project Plan achieved on January 14.

- The Draft survey questions were raised as a query of them being used as part of the consultation for the Cultural Plan. It was advised that the survey questions will be developed with full consultation of Allan Baptist, and the Draft questions presented were for the cultural survey component of the Asset Mapping Project. It was agreed that the questions for both surveys should not duplicate and each of the Project outcomes would inform the other.

- It was suggested and agreed that the Community Development Officer-Special Projects, Gail Easton attend the meeting on the 24 February to brief the Committee on the Asset Mapping Project.

There being no further general business, the meeting concluded at 7.00pm

Next Meetings;

All to be held at 5.30pm in the Committee Room at Council. (Please enter via the Library car park)

Tuesday 24 February 2009

Tuesday 31 March 2009

Tuesday 30 June 2009

Tuesday 29 September 2009

ACTION SHEET

Cultural Development Advisory Committee

16 December 2008

ACTION	WHOM	DEADLINE	COMMENTS/COMPLETION
Invite CDO- Special Projects to meeting on 24 February to give Brief on Asset Mapping Project	A/Manager Community Services	January 2009
Detailed Project Plan to be provided to Committee members following January meeting with Allan Baptist	A/Manager Community Services	Friday 23 February 2009.

Attachment 2	Manager Community Services Report No. 1/09
Singleton Cultural Development Advisory Committee CBD Streetscape Project Consultation Submission	Cultural Development Advisory Committee

SINGLETON COUNCIL	Meeting of Singleton Council - 2 February 2009
	Manager Community Services Report No. 1/09

3.

Colleen Gale Children's Services Author: Jennifer Blythe

FILE: 01/0447-4

Detail:

The purpose of this report is to inform Council of the occupancy and activities of Colleen Gale Children’s Services for November and December 2008.

November 2008

Actual Budgeted

Nursery 100% 85%

2-3 room 91.25% 85%

Preschool 95.75% 85%

Mobile Pre-school 73.13% 50%

Before school care 27% 20%

After school care 90.33% 83.3%

Note: Before, After and Vacation Care figures based on a 30 place capacity.

· The Director Anne Bomann-Maansson resigned as Director after a period of extended leave. This position will be advertised to find a suitable replacement.

· Linda Jessop has finished on the Mobile Preschool truck and will replace Kim Deaves as full-time Administration Assistant while Kim is on maternity leave.

Long Day Care

· Children have been practising for the Christmas concert.

· Preschool children have been on two excursions to King Street School and Hunter Street School in preparation for many of them starting school next year.

· Children’s Christmas Party was held at the Country Tennis Club in Singleton on Friday 28^th November. This was a new venue for the Christmas party and we have had positive feedback from staff and parents about this event. There was a sausage sizzle, disco, performance and a visit from Santa.

Mobile Preschool

· The children enjoyed learning about sand and water wheels.

· Children learned what to do in a fire and practised “get down low and go go go.”

· Many children have shown an interest in the alphabet and counting. Some of the older children have been practising counting to 20.

OOSH

· Children have been very imaginative in their play, including playing “schools” and operating a Café.

· Children have been very interested in the different countries from around the world and have incorporated this into their play.

December 2008 report

Actual Budgeted

Nursery 100% 85%

2-3 room 91.02% 85%

Preschool 90.31% 85%

Mobile Pre-school 75% 50%

Before school care 18.88% 20%

After school care 78.44% 83.3%

Note: Before, After and Vacation Care figures based on a 30 place capacity.

· Advertisements and interviews for two new Long Day Care staff members completed.

· Lauren Mills (previously Acting Director) has been employed as Director.

Long Day Care

· Children have been enjoying making lots of Christmas craft including wreaths, sequin angels and hand and footprint reindeers.

· There have been lots of Christmas songs sung and stories read. One of the favourites has been ‘Six White Boomers’.

Mobile Preschool

· Children have been practising for their Christmas concert. Parents came in for the second last week of term to watch the children perform and to see them receive their graduation certificates.

· Christmas craft has been a favourite activity. Children made wreaths, snow flakes, little Santa Clauses and Christmas trees.

· Children have been practising cutting out toys they want for Christmas from publications.

OOSH

· As part of the Active After School Program children have enjoyed swimming activities at the pool two afternoons a week.

· A Christmas Disco party was held at the Youth Venue on Thursday 11th December. It was a great afternoon with children demonstrating their best singing voices on the Karaoke machine and doing some great dancing on the dance floor.

· Children have been tinkering with old electronic items. They have been pulling apart a printer, fax machine, play stations and an old computer.

· For the Christmas celebrations children made gingerbread men, cards and presents. Many children became involved in pretend play relating to Christmas, making presents and then pretending to deliver them.

FOR COUNCIL’S INFORMATION

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

SINGLETON COUNCIL	Meeting of Singleton Council - 2 February 2009
	Manager Community Services Report No. 1/09

4.

Youth Programs Author: Jennifer Blythe

FILE: 01/0393

Detail:

The purpose of this report is to inform Council of the attendance and participation at the Singleton Youth Venue and of youth activities and events for November and December 2008.

November

Youth Venue Based Activities

November 2008 November 2007

Male: 300 256

Female: 265 170

Total: 565 426

11-14: 330 235

15-17: 202 151

Over 17: 32 40

Referrals

Male: 0

Female: 1 (DoCS referral)

Off-site Activities

Commercial Radio workshop’s industry visit to Power FM: 10 participants attended.

Issues

DoCS /Youth-related issue resulted in 2 staff remaining at venue until 1.30am on 29/11/08. Positive outcome resulted due to staff professionalism and procedural practice.

Reports/Funding Applications

Youth Week 2009 application submitted.

Drive Alive shuttle bus funding application submitted.

Meetings attended.

§ Upper Hunter Youth Network Interagency

§ Streetscape Forum

§ Domestic Violence Committee

§ Hunter Youth Sexual Health Network

§ Upper Hunter Child Protection

§ Singleton High School Welfare Faculty

Activities/Events

§ Live theatre production in auditorium on Sunday 16th November

§ Arts Upper Hunter and Art Start Youth Band CD launch 29th November attracted 107 people

§ Singleton Youth Venue Open Day 29th November not as successful as hoped but a number of community members and parents visited.

Planned Activities/Events December 2008

§ Op Shop Extravaganza and fashion parade Friday 12th December

§ Christmas Chaos Youth Band Night Saturday 20th December 6 to 11.30pm featuring 5 local youth bands. Security was booked and event registered with Police.

§ Family Relationships Community Expo.

§ King Street School presentation and disco Monday 15th December

Holiday Operating Hours

Youth Venue will close from Friday 19^th December and reopen on Tuesday 6^th January 2009.

Coordinator will be on holidays from 24^th December until Friday 5^th January 2009.

Events Planned for 2009

§ Booking taken for Travelling Opera company production for May 2009.

§ Booking taken for TAFE outreach mentoring training for March 2009

§ Booking taken for Family Insight volunteer training for February 2009.

Workshops

§ Break-Dance workshop cancelled in early November due to falling numbers. Since then a number of parents have contacted venue to discuss reintroduction in 2009.

§ Belly dance continues to attract approximately 8 participants each session.

§ Fashion Girls workshops continues to attract an average of 8 participants each session.

Venue Hire

The following services/committees hired rooms in November:

§ Singleton High School SRC (student representative council)

§ Singleton High School Home Economics teachers

§ Juvenile Justice Health

§ DoCS

§ Wonnarua Nation directors meeting

§ Domestic Violence Committee

§ Working Community Partnerships

§ Arts Upper Hunter

§ Legal Aid

§ Adolescent and Family Counsellor

§ Family Relationships.

December

Youth Venue Based Activities

December 2008 Nov/December 2007

Male: 265 256

Female: 255 170

Total: 520 426

11-14: 303 235

15-17: 122 151

Over 17: 95 40

Referrals

Male: 1 (DoCS Referral - notification and follow up)

Female: 0

Off-site Activities

No off-site activities in December.

Issues

§ Police called to incident at centre involving 3 males and 1 female who were being abusive to staff. Police escorted one male from the venue in restraints before releasing him outside. The person, and three others left venue but returned later with a larger group of friends, Police were again notified and attended within 15minutes. Group had left when police arrived. These four people have had letters of expulsion (with offers to attend meeting with venue staff) delivered to them and their parents.

As a result of this incident security personnel are now present on function nights.

Reports/Funding Applications

§ Funding application for Macquarie Generation and Country Arts Support Program being prepared to assist with the costs of:

o 10 week Drama/Comedy/workshops and production

o Funding to facilitate multi facet dance workshops

Meetings/Forums/training attended

Youth Program Coordinator attended the following meetings:

§ Pat Wade from DADHC in regards to disability client access to volunteer work at venue. (Client attending one day a week)

§ TAFE Outreach coordinator in regards to Plan-it-Youth mentoring

§ Training booked to commence Tuesday 10th March at Youth Venue

§ Singleton police in regards to incident Friday 5th December

§ Community Service Interagency

§ Autism Forum

§ ABCD 3 day forum, Newcastle

§ SPACE/Better Futures Forum.

Activities/Events

§ Whitmore Enterprises attended for Disability Week and conducted an art program

§ Interrelate (Family Relationship Centre) conducted a Community Expo for residents

§ Singleton High School conducted staff training days during December.

§ Family Insight Autism Forum attracted nearly 100 people

§ OOSH staff and children held a Christmas Disco

§ Singleton Public School held their year 6 presentation and farewell party for more than 150 people

§ Saturday 20 December an All Ages bands night and Christmas party was held with 4 local youth bands performing and 87 young people attended.

2009

Workshops/Activities/Events

The followings are planned for 2009:

§ Belly Dance (weekly)

§ Fashion Girls (weekly)

§ Guitar and Drum tuition (weekly)

§ Drama and Comedy (10 week program, May to August) – subject to funding application

§ Movie making program (April and September)

§ Battle of the Bands /Youth Week (Heats on 13 & 27 March; Final on 3 April)

§ Skate competition/Youth Week (28 March)

§ NAIDOC week (5-12 July)

Venue Hire

The following services/organizations hired venue facilities in December:

§ Family Relationship Centre

§ Legal Aid

§ Juvenile Justice

§ Wonnarua Aboriginal Corporation

§ Singleton Disability Committee

§ Singleton Public School

§ Singleton Community Service Interagency

FOR COUNCIL’S INFORMATION

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

SINGLETON COUNCIL	Meeting of Singleton Council - 2 February 2009
	Manager Community Services Report No. 1/09

5.

Community Development November 2008 - January 2009 Author: Wendell Peacock

FILE: 01/0163-2

Detail:

The purpose of this report is to inform Council of the key activities of the Community Development Officer (CDO) and Community Development Officer – Special Projects (CDO-SP) for the months of November/December 2008 and January 2009.

Disability

The Singleton & District Disability Advisory Committee attended a presentation on the proposed Streetscape Plan on 11 November and made a submission to the project.

The costings report for the Singleton Disability Access Action Plan, which detailed the cost of all required work to buildings & facilities, footpaths & kerb ramps, and proposed priorities and a strategy for ensuring the items are included in future budgets, was presented at the 1 December Council meeting. The report was approved and put on public exhibition until 28 February.

The Singleton District Disability Advisory Committee met on 2 December 2008. The art exhibition and community art event held in Town Square on 3 December was very successful, as was the official opening of the Liberty Swing on 10 December. Both events were well covered by the Singleton Argus.

The CDO and Community Grants Officer assisted with the preparation of the application for funding for the Commonwealth Infrastructure grant in December. The Disability Access works for Council facilities and footpaths and kerb ramps (from the Disability Access Action Plan) were combined with the finalisation of the All-Abilities Playground and the construction of the Hydrotherapy Pool in a project called Access All Areas. Members of the Disability Advisory Committee, as well as Councillors, assisted with soliciting letters of support from the community, and a total of 42 were included with the submission.

Interagency

The Interagency met on 10 December 2008, with a presentation from Leapfrog Ability, and most of the meeting focused on reviewing the Terms of Reference, before a Christmas afternoon tea. Members resolved to participate in a workshop to review the Social Plan on the day of the next meeting – 11 February 2009.

Housing

The Upper Hunter Strategic Housing Action group met on 26 November, with most of the discussion focusing on the statistics needed from service providers and other institutions in the community to accurately describe all aspects of the housing situation, and suggestions for other services that can be invited to attend. Noel Downs from Wonnarua LALC attended and provided an update on the situation for the indigenous community, and the Land Council’s plans for the future.

The CDO attended a workshop on Affordable Housing run by NCOSS and Shelter NSW on 27 November, where the Strategic Housing Action Group was received as an innovative strategy to address housing issues.

Ageing Community

The CDO attended the Positive Ageing Strategy Hunter Advisory Committee meeting and Community Settings Working Group meeting, and met with a regional manager for Uniting Care to discuss service issues and potential collaborations. Attendance at the Health Advisory Committee on 11 December resulted in awareness of Hunter New England Area Health Service proposed service plan, and contact with the Health Services planner for Ageing.

Community Safety

The draft Crime Prevention Strategy 2009/2010-2012/2013 was presented to Council on November 3, and Council recommended that the Strategy be adopted after the appropriate public exhibition period. No submissions were made and the Strategy is now Council Policy Number 21079.1. The Strategy has been forwarded to the Attorneys General Department for endorsement. If the Department endorses the Strategy, funding opportunities could be available for some of the strategies.

The Singleton CDO hosted a Community Safety Working Group of the Hunter Councils Community Development and Social Planning Team, which aims to share knowledge relating to the development of crime prevention plans.

CDSE Committee

Although the Singleton Clubs did not generate enough income to be required to run a CDSE grants scheme, the Clubs wish to continue to run the Committee on an informal basis to support the decision-making process for the Community Chest grants and to maintain the process in the event that a Committee is required by Clubs NSW in the future. The Committee met on 21 January, to determine closing dates for applications (20 March) and the date for an assessment meeting. The CDO is a member of the Committee to provide advice on Council’s priorities.

Safety within the Family Project

The part-time Project Officer was engaged and commenced with Council on 5 January 2009. The Project Officer will undertake necessary research and establish the Steering Committee.

Asset Mapping/Asset Based Community Development

Consultation has commenced with initial introduction of the project to community and Council Committees.

Training

The CDO and Special Projects Officers attended the Asset Based Community Development Asia Pacific Conference in Newcastle, 3-5 December, along with most of the Community Services Team. There were many international and local presenters, and keynote speakers who were part of the formation of this approach to working with communities.

Gail Easton will be acting in the Community Grants Project Officer role while Jennifer Underwood is on maternity leave, and Aoife O’Toole will be acting as Community Development Officer Special Projects Officer during that time.

The CDO - Special Projects was on leave from 17 December until 6 January 2009.

FOR COUNCIL’S INFORMATION

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

SINGLETON COUNCIL	Meeting of Singleton Council - 2 February 2009
	Manager Community Services Report No. 1/09

6.

Singleton Disability Advisory Committee Meeting Author: Jennifer Blythe

FILE: 01/0465

Executive Summary:

The Singleton and District Disability Advisory Committee Meeting was held on Tuesday 2^nd December 2008. The Minutes and actions of this meeting are attached (Attachment 1).

The recommendation put forward by the Committee is that a Portable (Drop) Access Toilet be provided in close proximity to the All Access Equipment and the Liberty Swing in Rose Point Park until such time as a permanent facility can be funded and provided.

Conclusions:

National Hire, Council’s supplier of portable toilets, has available a toilet which provides access for wheelchairs, and this is available for hire by Council at a cost of $110 per week including servicing and an $220 for delivery and collection. Staff at National Hire, however, did advise that this portable toilet, like all portable toilets, is usually hired to provide a facility for specific events or functions. In this environment use of the toilet is supervised to some extent. Should the toilet be left unsecured and unsupervised in a park it would be susceptible to vandalism. Council would be responsible for any damage as no damage waiver is offered in the hire contract of this facility.

The Acting Manager Parks and Facilities has advised that potential vandalism in Rose Point Park is a concern. The Acting Manager Parks and Facilities further added that most parks in Singleton have no disability access toilets, and that many parks have no toilet facilities.

Two funding applications were submitted in 2008, both of which include provision for a permanent disability access toilet at this location.

1. Provision of a disability access toilet, as part of the All Abilities Playground project, was included in the Access All Areas grant submitted in December 2008. The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government expects to announce successful projects by end of February 2009.

2. Provision of a disability access toilet, as part of the All Abilities Playground, was included in an application to the Xstrata Corporate Social Involvement Program. The outcome of this application is expected late February 2009.

Given that the result of these two funding applications, which would provide a permanent disability access toilet, will shortly be announced, and given that provision of a temporary facility appears to pose a risk of vandalism at this location, the most appropriate course of action is for Council to continue to seek funding for a permanent disability toilet.

RECOMMENDED that:

1. Council note the Minutes of the Singleton and District Disability Advisory Committee Meeting held 2 December 2008.

2. Council note the Singleton and District Disability Advisory Committee’s recommendation that a Portable (Drop) Access Toilet be provided in close proximity to the All Access Equipment and the Liberty Swing in Rose Point Park until such time as a permanent facility can be funded and supplied.

3. Council continue to seek funding for completion of the All Abilities Playground project including provision of public toilets and disability access toilets.

Jennifer Blythe Brian Carter

Acting Manager Community Services Acting Director Operations

Attachments

AT-1View

Minutes Singleton and District Disability Advisory Committee December 2008

8 Pages

Attachment 1	Manager Community Services Report No. 1/09
Minutes Singleton and District Disability Advisory Committee December 2008	Singleton Disability Advisory Committee Meeting

SINGLETON COUNCIL	Meeting of Singleton Council - 2 February 2009
	Manager Parks and Facilities Report No. 2/09

1.

Singleton Lions Club - Expo Site Electrical Power Boxes Author: Alan Fletcher

FILE: 09/0004

Detail:

On the 27 October 2008 Cr. Scott tabled a Notice of Motion:-

“Singleton Council withdraw the account issued to Singleton Lions Club in relation to the recent Lions Expo for the amount charged beyond what was previously agreed to be waived by Council and that funding be sourced from Council’s donation vote”.

Council resolved that a further report be provided to Council on the costs of the electrical installation in Civic Park for the Lions Club Expo following liaison with the Singleton Lions Club.

Singleton Lions Club use the Auditorium plus the grassed area between the Civic Centre and the Hunter Prelude building for the Lion Club Home and Leisure Expo. In accordance with Council Policy Number 25001.1 Council provides the use of the Auditorium and grassed area free of charge. The normal cost is:-

· Hire of auditorium $4,000

· Hire of grass land for commercial use $175/day for three days = $525

The Lions Club provided an expo site in the auditorium for Council as a part of the arrangement.

Historically the Lions Club had enjoyed assistance from Energy Australia who provided two unmetered electricity supply points free of charge. Energy Australia advised that they were unable to provide an unmetered service in the future. The Lions Club asked Council for funding for the equipment which was quoted by the Lions Club at $5,379.70. The Lions Club was to provide the labour. Council resolved that the cost for the power outlets be included in 2008/09 budget.

This was done and the work was completed prior to the Expo in August 2008. The work came to a total of $6,797.88 including GST plus Energy Australia costs of $475.75 which was paid by Singleton Council. This is an over expenditure on the original estimate of $1,418.18 including GST. The Manager Parks and Facilities contacted members of Lions Club and advised them an invoice would be sent to the Lions Club for the extra cost over the quoted cost. The Lions Club Expo is likely to be the only users of the electrical boxes.

On the 8 December 2008 Mr. John Tindale the Lions Club Treasurer had discussions with the Manager Parks & Facilities about a number of items on the invoice. The outcome was the amount that was reduced to $648.53 and the Lions Club paid the invoice.

FOR COUNCIL’S INFORMATION

Kim Horn Brian Carter

Acting Manager Parks & Facilities Acting Director Operations

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

SINGLETON COUNCIL	Meeting of Singleton Council - 2 February 2009
	Manager Water and Waste Report No. 1/09

1.

Water and Sewer Reports - 01/11/2008 - 31/12/2008 Author: Ben Sim

FILE: 01/0153

Detail:

1. Water and Sewer Report – 01/11/2008 – 30/11/2008

a. Singleton Water Supply

	01/11/2008 – 30/11/2008	2007 Figures
Total throughput from dam was	217 ML	198 ML
Consumption
Town	167 ML	151 ML
Army	6 ML	7 ML
Abattoir	13 ML	13 ML
Mount Thorley/Broke	17 ML	7 ML
Standpipe (water to Industry and Rural)	14 ML	20 ML

The trend in treated water consumption for Singleton town is shown on the following graph:

The graph shows that for the same period during the last four years, this years cumulative treated water consumption (up to and including the month of November) continues to be the lowest.

Average Daily Water Consumption for Singleton Town Residential

As shown on the above graph, the average daily water consumption for the month of November 2008 is 710 litres per household per day. It is marginally the second lowest as compared to the same month in the previous four years.

Dam Percent Full

As advised by State Water, Glennies Creek Dam was 68.8% full on 30 November 2008. Thus, in the month of November 2008, the water storage volume in the dam had a slight decrease of 0.5%.

New Services

4 new services were installed this month.

Service Repairs

30 service repairs were carried out this month, including 21 complete renewals.

Hydrant Repair

A damaged hydrant on the main supply line to Broke was replaced this month.

Main Breaks

5 main breaks were repaired this month:

Ø Opposite 9 Loder Avenue (100 mm diameter AC main – blow out)

Ø 5 Shaw Street (100 mm diameter AC main – blow out)

Ø 10 Loder Avenue (100 mm diameter AC main – blow out)

Ø Church Street near end of Shaw Street (100 mm diameter AC main – blow out)

Ø At intersection of Loder Avenue and Kelso Street (100 mm diameter AC main – radial crack)

Meters M & R

75 water meters were replaced this month.

New Valves and Hydrants

A valve (300 mm diameter) and tee was installed this month on the 450 mm diameter AC main leading to Gowrie Reservoir. This will be the water connection point for the Gowrie Links Development.

b. Mount Thorley Water Supply

	01/11/08 – 30/11/08	2007 Figures	2006 Figures	2005 Figures	2004 Figures
The total amount of water pumped to the mines in November was	54 ML	101 ML	343 ML	90 ML	77 ML

The trend in raw water consumption at Mount Thorley is shown on the following graph:

The graph shows that this years cumulative raw water consumption (up to and including the month of November) is the lowest as compared to the same period in the previous four years.

Meters M & R

1 water meter was replaced this month.

c. Jerrys Plains Water Supply

	01/11/2008 – 30/11/2008	2007 Figures
Consumption	2.08 ML	1.32 ML

The trend in water consumption at Jerrys Plains is shown on the following graph:

As compared to the same period in the previous four years, the graph shows that this years cumulative water consumption (up to and including the month of November) is the second lowest.

Main Breaks

Two main breaks were repaired this month:

Ø Pagan Street (63 mm diameter Poly main – longitudinal split)

Ø Bureen Street (63 mm x 50 mm x 40 mm Poly connection – blow out)

d. Sewer System Report

	01/11/2008 – 30/11/2008	2007 Figures
Sewerage Treatment Works – Flow Volume	107 ML	106 ML

Effluent Reuse

Total estimated effluent reuse for this financial year is 184 megalitres, after being adjusted for full water losses.

Sewer Main M & R

7 sewer chokes or problems were attended to this month:

Ø 35 Lachlan Avenue (cleared main)

Ø Mercy Rest Home in Civic Avenue (cleared main)

Ø 9 Cambridge Street (sewer dig up repair)

Ø 2 Burbank Crescent (sewer dig up repair)

Ø 78 York Street (sewer dig up repair)

Ø 59 Benjamin Circuit (sewer dig up repair)

Ø 5 Gostwyck Close (sewer dig up repair)

Dunolly Pump Station M & R

Repairs to the pump station ventilation system were completed this month.

Manhole (MH) M & R

Three manholes were repaired or attended to this month:

Ø 78 York Street (raised)

Ø 75 High Street (replaced lid and surround)

Ø 3 Knox Place (raised)

Vent Stack Replacement Program

One steel vent stack was installed this month:

Ø 78 York Street

Low Pressure Sewerage (LPS) System (a majority at Maison Dieu Industrial Estate)

No sewer POD was connected to the system this month, with a total of only one being installed this financial year.

2. Water and Sewer Report – 01/12/2008 – 31/12/2008

a. Singleton Water Supply

	01/12/2008 – 31/12/2008	2007 Figures
Total throughput from dam was	185 ML	193 ML
Consumption
Town	152 ML	163 ML
Army	4 ML	6 ML
Abattoir	10 ML	9 ML
Mount Thorley/Broke	8 ML	7 ML
Standpipe (water to Industry and Rural)	11 ML	8 ML

The trend in treated water consumption for Singleton town is shown on the following graph:

The graph shows that for the same period during the last 4 years, this years cumulative treated water consumption (up to and including the month of December) continues to be the lowest.

Average Daily Water Consumption for Singleton Town Residential

As shown on the above table, the average daily water consumption for the month of December 2008 is 625 litres per household per day. It is the lowest as compared to the same month in the previous four years.

Dam Percent Full

As advised by State Water, Glennies Creek Dam was 68.3% full on 31 December 2008. Thus, in the month of December 2008, the water storage volume in the dam has had another slight decrease of 0.5%.

New Services

1 new service was installed this month.

Service Repairs

14 service repairs were carried out this month, including 3 complete renewals.

Main Breaks

4 main breaks were repaired this month:

Ø Judan Road (63 mm diameter Poly main – longitudinal split)

Ø 31 Bishopgate Street (100 mm diameter AC main – cracked at collar)

Ø Corner Kelso and Bond Streets (100 mm diameter AC main – blow out)

Ø Campbell Street (200 mm diameter PVC main – longitudinal split)

Meters M & R

35 water meters were replaced this month.

Mains Replacement/Relocation

A total of 265 meters of water main was replaced in Shaw and Rawcliffe Streets this month.

Valves and Hydrants M & R

Two valves were replaced this month:

Ø Hambledon Hill Road

Ø Corner of Broughton and Boundary Streets

b. Mount Thorley Water Supply

	01/12/08 – 31/12/08	2007 Figures	2006 Figures	2005 Figures	2004 Figures
The total amount of water pumped to the mines in December was	17 ML	109 ML	304 ML	98 ML	88 ML

The trend in raw water consumption at Mount Thorley is shown on the following graph:

The graph shows that this years cumulative raw water consumption (up to and including the month of December) is still the lowest as compared to the same period in the previous four years.

c. Jerrys Plains Water Supply

	01/12/2008 – 31/12/2008	2007 Figures
Consumption	2.16 ML	1.31 ML

The trend in water consumption at Jerrys Plains is shown on the following graph:

As compared to the same period in the previous four years, the graph shows that this year’s cumulative water consumption (up to and including the month of December) has stabilised, becoming the third lowest accumulated consumption over the last four years.

Main Breaks

1 main break was repaired this month:

Ø Queen Street (63 mm diameter Poly main – longitudinal split)

d. Sewer System Report

	01/12/2008 – 31/12/2008	2007 Figures
Sewerage Treatment Works – Flow Volume	107 ML	105 ML

Effluent Reuse

Total estimated effluent reuse for this financial year is 219 megalitres, after being adjusted for full water losses.

Sewer Main M & R

4 sewer chokes or problems were attended to this month:

Ø 2 times at 1 Knox Place (cleared shaft)

Ø 133 Gardner Circuit (cleared shaft)

Ø 70 Gardner Circuit (cleared main)

Manhole (MH) M & R

2 manholes were repaired or attended to this month:

Ø Douglass Place (raised)

Ø Willcox Avenue (built retaining wall around manhole)

Sewer Main Cut In

A cut in at the 450 mm diameter gravity sewer main along Bridgman Road was carried out this month, to allow for the connection of sewer services from the Bridgman Ridge subdivision.

Low Pressure Sewerage (LPS) System (a Majority at Maison Dieu Industrial Estate)

No sewer POD was connected to the system this month.

The total number of sewer PODs connected to the LPS system remains at 91 and the total for this financial year is still 1.

e. Training/Safety/Conferences/Exhibitions

An 8 hour OH&S Forum (held at Ironbark Winery) was attended by the following Water & Waste Staff (with other Council Staff from various departments) this month:

Ø Ian Vickers

Ø Gary Perrin

Ø Chris Smith

FOR COUNCIL’S INFORMATION

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

SINGLETON COUNCIL	Meeting of Singleton Council - 2 February 2009
	Manager Water and Waste Report No. 1/09

2.

Water Reform - Inquiry into Secure and Sustainable Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Services for Non-Metropolitan NSW Author: Brian Carter and jeff Burgman

FILE: 05/0121

Executive Summary:

The report of the Independent Inquiry into Secure and Sustainable Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Services for Non-Metropolitan NSW was completed in December 2008 and released by the Minister for Water, the Hon Phillip Costa MP, on 14 January 2009.

The report recommends regional aggregation of water and sewerage services across NSW into 32 groupings of Council areas, with several options for this aggregation being identified. The report also recommends a specific service aggregation method for groupings of Councils across NSW.

The report proposes a binding alliance model for Singleton, Muswellbrook and the Upper Hunter local government areas. The exact legal status and legislative guides for such an alliance are yet to be finalised.

Further submissions to the Minister have been invited and will be accepted up to 20 March, 2009.

This report recommends that Singleton Council holds joint discussions with Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter Councils. The intention is to thoroughly investigate joint servicing and grouping of the three councils, with the aim of developing a common view and a joint submission for the Minister.

Background:

In August/September 2007 the Minister for Water, the Hon Nathan Reese MP, announced an enquiry into Water Supply and Sewerage Services in Non-Metropolitan NSW.

In April 2008, Singleton Council senior officers prepared a submission to the inquiry outlining Council’s “strong preference for the continued involvement of local government in the provision of water and sewer services, and the continued ownership of the infrastructure required to provide these services”. Council also expressed its preference to continue with the status quo, bearing in mind its financially sustainable position and inability to share major water sourcing or sewerage infrastructure with surrounding councils. Councillors were kept up to date through briefings and reports during this process.

A presentation to this effect was also made by Singleton Council at an enquiry hearing in Tamworth on 13 May 2008.

The independent report recommends that Singleton, Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter Councils form a binding alliance. Full copies of the report will be forwarded to Councillors under separate cover and the binding alliance model is explained in detail in Appendix 2, pages 113 to 116 of the report. This model in essence proposes centralised planning and technical functions, with an emphasis on strategic and financial planning. The alliance entity would have the power to require price setting and certain capital works to be undertaken by constituent councils.

This concept now needs to be considered in detail with a joint submission by all three councils to the Minister being the preferred method to further progress this matter.

A preliminary meeting with Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter Council was held on 20 January 2009, with both Senior Officers and the Mayors of all three Councils attending.

Considerable investigation work now needs to be completed by Council Officers and a further report to Council is expected to be made available in March, enabling the joint submission to the Minister.

Management Plan:

It is possible that there will need to be major changes to future Council Management Plans as a result of this water reform process. At the present time it is not possible to quantify them in any detail.

Council Policy:

Again, a number of Council’s Water & Sewer Policies may need to be reviewed. At present it is not possible to provide further comment for Council’s consideration.

Legislation:

It is anticipated that enabling legislation to control a number of matters considered in the enquiry may be enacted. Areas with the potential to be affected by this include provision for mandatory alliances of councils for certain water and sewer services, water and sewer price setting and increased State Government Regulation and Control of the water and sewer industry.

Sustainability:

One of the stated aims of the Minister in ordering this review was to improve and enhance the sustainability of Council’s water and sewer operations. Further consideration of this matter will be required when the way forward for Singleton becomes clearer.

Consultation:

The State Government has ensured that there has been extensive consultation with the wider community up to date and it is to be hoped that this process will be continued. Council has not to date had the opportunity to undertake any significant community consultation at a local level. Once again, it is likely that such consultation will commence once the way ahead for Singleton becomes clearer.

Risk Management:

Not applicable.

Options:

Council has three options:

1. Continue to advocate the status quo for Singleton.

2. Investigate and submit comments to the Minister in support of the recommended binding alliance between Singleton, Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter Councils. This could involve either a joint submission with the other Councils or by individual submission to the Minister.

3. Suggest a viable alternate arrangement to the Minister other than that recommended in the report. Again this could be a joint or individually prepared submission.

Conclusions:

It is clear that the State Government intends to implement water reform and that they have stated that there is a need to improve organisational structures and regulations to ensure good governance and financial sustainability, cut State Government red tape and ensure skilled staffing is available. In many cases, whilst changes may need to be made and service levels will improve it is also very likely that these will involve extra costs to the consumer.

A crucial aspect of the report that has been released is that in order to ensure long term viability, a minimum organisational size for provision of water and sewer services is also considered to be necessary and Singleton Council alone does not meet this minimum size requirement of at least 10,000 water connections.

It is time to seriously consider, jointly with Upper Hunter Council and Muswellbrook Council, the forms of regional aggregation of water and sewer services that may be workable and affordable for our local government areas as a whole.

RECOMMENDED that:

1. The Report of the Independent Inquiry into Secure and Sustainable Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Services for Non-Metropolitan NSW be noted.

2. Council senior officers hold further discussion with Muswellbrook Shire Council and Upper Hunter Shire Council.

3. A further submission be made to the Minister for Water, the Hon Phillip Costa MP, by the due date of 20 March 2009.

4. If possible, the submission to the Minister be jointly prepared and supported by Singleton Council, Muswellbrook Council and Upper Hunter Council.

Jeff Burgman Brian Carter

Acting Manager Water & Waste Acting Director Operations

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

SINGLETON COUNCIL	Meeting of Singleton Council - 2 February 2009
	Manager Design and Contracts No. 1/09

1.

Design & Contracts Program Area - Jobs in Progress Author: Christopher Martin

FILE: 08/0073

Detail:

The following works have been completed, are in progress or are programmed to be commenced by the Design and Contracts Program Area.

(a) CURRENT SURVEY, INVESTIGATION & DESIGN MATTERS

PROJECT	DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT	STATUS
BRIDGES
Owendale Bridge, Wollombi Road over Barneys Gully	Approach design not required. Type A Intersection Design Complete. Waiting owner DA requirements.	On hold
Herbert St Bridge Milbrodale Road Broke	Preliminary design complete and reviewed. Final Design Drawings in progress.	Works Dept to confirm timeline.
ROADS & TRAFFIC
SES Car park, Singleton	Survey Preliminary complete. Redesign requested and in progress. Completed	100% 100% On Hold
Long Point Road, Gouldsville	Survey for realignment of 90 degree bend to improve road safety at Neal’s property. Client requires horizontal alignment review. Design reviewed and completed. Acquisition/Fence Set out required.	100% Feb 09
Dangar Road, Brisbane & Boonal Streets K & G	Survey Complete Designs required: · Brisbane Street – Completed Set-out Required · Dangar Road – Completed Set-out complete · Boonal Street – Completed. Set-out Required	100% 100% TBA 100% 100% 100% TBA
Glendonbrook Road Reconstruction	Survey and design required. Survey Completed. Preliminary Design. Final Design.	100% 100% Mar 09
Glendonbrook RFS, Glendonbrook Road	Survey, design and DA required to be lodged. Survey and Design Completed. Awaiting shed information.	100% In Progress
Mount Olive RFS	DA required to be lodged. Survey completed. Design in progress. Shed information required.	95%
Hambledon Hill Road Reconstruction	Possible road realignment. Survey complete. Design complete. Acquisition/Fence Setout required.	To be programmed
Elderslie Road	Preliminary Design Complete. Further Investigation Required. Final Plans completed. Fence Setout required.	Aug 08 Jan 09 Feb 09
Mirannie Road Reconstruction	Preliminary Design Complete – Changes required and to be prepared for preview. Final plans. Acquisition Plan complete. Fence Setout required.	Dec 08 To be programmed Feb 09
Ryan Avenue Kerb and Gutter Construction	Review of previous design and amend as required. Final Plans. Setout required	100% In progress Feb 09
DRAINAGE
Kelso Street Stormwater Improvement Stage 2.1 Edward to Loder	Detail Survey – Extra Detail Required to address increased scope of works. Check of Previous design by Consultant. Council undertaking final design	100% 95% 100%
Kelso Street Stormwater Improvement Stage 2.2 Loder to Ada	Survey complete. Check of previous design by consultant Modelling and draft plan	100% In progress Feb 09
PARKS & FACILITIES
Redbourneberry Bridge, Redbourneberry	Drainage batter regrading survey programmed.	To be programmed
Queen Street	Proposed cycleway.	To be programmed

(b) ROADS AND CONTRACTS MATTERS

TENDER ADMINISTRATION

Tender No:	Description	Status
T2008.009	Construction of Visitor Information Centre	Draft document prepared
T2008.013	Supply And Delivery of 1 X Footpath Sweeper	Tender closed 19 December 2008.

ROAD MATTERS

ID NO:	Street / Road	Description of Job	Date	Status
1.04	RD00051 Maison Dieu Road	Road widening and bridge construction over Rixs Creek – road opening/closing (Resolution 31/06).	26 May 08 10 Jul 08 15 Jul 08 26 Aug 08 Oct 08	Road Closure sent to Dept of Lands Dept of Lands approved Rd Closure. Letter sent to owners & utilities to make submissions for any objections Submission received from Energy Australia – Easements are required. Report to Council for Resolution with any copies of submissions received has been prepared.
1.05.01	RD00039 Hebden Road - 3 Sharp Curves	Separate pieces of land from Picton Lane – road closures and compulsory acquisition of Crown land.	29-Jul-08 Dec 08	Plan received from Daniel Golenia Review of plans & send back to surveyor to electronically lodge at the LPI
1.07	RD01360 Stage 4 Streetscape	Land acquisition at Railway Station.	23-May-08 1 Sept 08 3 Sept 08 18 Sept 08 16 Oct 08	Michael Post from ARTC called - he has approval from one party - still waiting on further approval. Will get back to Council Contacted ARTC to determine status of matter. Letter received from ARTC – the land in question has revealed that ownership of the site rests with Rail Corporation not Rail Infrastructure. ARTC has now contacted Rail Corporation Site meeting with Rail Corp has been established for 16^th October to discuss who to proceed with this matter. Council will now have the area surveyed and will produce a concept plan for the area. As soon as this is available, Chris Martin will distribute the concept for comment and then final approval from RailCorp prior to preparation of the final dedication plan for submission to the LPI
1.08	RD00121 Cranky Corner Road	Road widening (acquisition) and opening (Dick).	14-May-08 16 Oct 08 Oct 08 Nov 08	Plans received from Hunter Survey Services Meeting on site with Mr Dick - gave him Form 6 and copies of plans and Acquisition Agreement to sign. Mr Dick will be dropping in signed plans and Agreement . Review of plans & Send back to surveyor to electronically lodge at the LPI Report to Council has been prepared.
1.11	RD00019 Carrowbrook Road	Causeway location, road opening and closing (Resolution 243/07). Causeway through Jones – Lot 3 DP 431675	24-Jul-08 18 Sept 08 29 Sept 08 Oct 08 Nov 2008	Department of Lands - final application pending awaiting advise for "approval in principle" to proceed with plan preparation Department has requested original copies of documentation for road closure application to proceed. Regarding road opening through Jones – awaiting property owner consent of subdivision plan Original copies of documentation for road closure application has been sent to the Dept of Lands as requested. Waiting on response. Road closure / opening through Jones - Application lodged with Dept of Lands for road closure. Awaiting approval from Dept of Lands to lodge plan with LPI. Road opening will not proceed until in principle approval from Dept of Lands for Road Closure Road opening and closing agreement near completion with Jones’s.
1.12	RD00019 Carrowbrook Road	Smith’s – road opening/closing Lot 102 DP 635282 - (Resolution 243/07).	November 2008	Plan of subdivision and road closure to be prepared by Gary Hamblin. Site discussions between owner, Gary Hamblin and council to determine appropriate road opening route.
1.13	RD00019 Carrowbrook Road	a) Road redefinition (Thompson) – Lot 53 & 8 DP 752471 b) Road Opening & Closing (Walker) Lot 103 DP 752452	28-Mar-08 18 Sept 08 September 2008 November 2008 November 2008 December 2008 Jan 09	Awaiting plan from surveyor. It may be able to lodge independently to the Jones / Smith plans - Check with Surveyor Preliminary plans provided by surveyor. Letters forwarded to property owners for consent to proceed. Possibly Plan of Redefinition through Thompsons and minor road opening and closing through Walkers. Letter re; road opening / closing was sent to the owner (Walker) Advertising of redefinition completed (Thompson). (Thompson) - Gazette notice under Section 16 of the Roads Act to be sent to Dept of Commerce. (Walker) – Initial discussions with the owner re; road opening / closing. Plan to be prepared by Surveyor. (Thompson) - Road redefinition registered with the LPI. Plan to be prepared by Surveyor. (Thompson) - Road redefinition registered with the LPI. Gazette No 20 23 Jan 09.
1.14	RD00019 Carrowbrook Road	Compulsory acquisition of Lot 1 DP 1092168 from S & M Jones.	28-Mar-08 18 Sept 08 Jan 09	Ltr sent to Jones advising that money is in trust awaiting them to sign the compensation forms. - Waiting on response from Jones Gazzette Notice dated 27 April 07 Lot 1 DP 1092168 advising land is acquired by compulsory process. Status Quo – Jones have advised that they do not accept the amount of compensation. Unaware whether they have lodged an objection with Land and Environment Court. They have not submitted claim form or lodged titles with LPI. Awaiting claim for compensation from Jones. Compensation money is set aside.
1.16	RD00092 Wambo Mining	Wambo Mining Application – road closure at Warkworth.	24-Jul-08 6 Aug 08 3 Sept 08 Nov 08	Applications lodged with Department of Lands awaiting "approval in principle" to proceed with plan preparation Meeting scheduled with Dept of Lands re: status of all outstanding matters. Department of Lands requested additional information. Council has provided this information to Department. Dept of Lands still processing Dept of Lands still processing
1.17	03/0088 White Mining	White Mining Application – road closure of part of Old New England Highway.	29-May-08 Nov 08	Waiting on written consent from adjoining owner by Ashton Coal Letter sent to Ashton Coal as to status of matter. Waiting on response.
1.18	RD00098 Pikes Gully road, Liddell Station Road	Part of Pikes Gully Road, Liddell Station Road and part of Old New England Highway (Liddell) road closure (Coal & Allied).	24-Jul-08 6 Aug 08 10 Sept 08 Nov / Dec 08	Awaiting approval from the Department to proceed with advertising. Provided Muswellbrook Shire Council's consent to be joint applicant as requested. Meeting scheduled with Dept of Lands re: status of all outstanding matters. Email has been sent to Department of Lands requesting updated status of this matter. Dept of Lands still processing
1.19	RD00181 PPK - part of Broke Road	PPK – part of Broke Road – road closure/opening, realignment of road due to mining operations (Bulga Coal).	04-Aug-08 Aug / Sept 3 Sept 08 Nov 08	Electronic Lodgement received from Mark Howes Review of documentation required by Council to proceed matter Waiting on Road closure application to be returned to Council. Road Opening matter has been forwarded to Planning Dept to process. Letter sent to Mining company in regards to status of matter. Waiting a response.
1.20	RD00066 Pikes Gully / Mitchell Line Roads	Pikes Gully/Mitchell Line Roads – road closure due to mining activity (Coal & Allied).	24-Jul-08 6 Aug 08 Nov 08 / Dec 08	Department of Lands - Plan has been registered. Has the road been gazetted closed? A copy of the DP was provided. Meeting scheduled with Dept of Lands re: status of all outstanding matters. Dept of Lands still processing
1.21	RD00039 Hebden Road	Hebden Road – road closure/opening – conveyor – road deviation and closure.	28-Mar-08 Nov 08	Waiting to hear from land owner Letter sent to Mining company in regards to status of matter. Waiting a response.
1.24	RD01530 Singleton RSC	Laneways between York and Castlereagh Streets – road closure and opening (Resolution 242/07).	15-May-08 Nov 08 – Jan 09	Ltr received from Singleton RSC - advising number of options have been put forward for considerations which are currently being evaluated. Once decision has been made, they will contact Council to progress this matter further. Planning Department has been dealing with Singleton RSC who are in the process of changing their Development Application
1.25	RD00069 Putty Valley Road	Boundary redefinition (Resolution 173/07).	27-Mar-08 Nov 08	Awaiting a plan from the surveyor. The land was subdivided however the Planning Department allowed the subdivision by compilation rather than full survey. Matter pending - requires road opening / closing. Awaiting surveyor complete survey -
1.26	RD03570 Rosella Street	Opening and closing.	27-Mar-08 10 Sept 08 Nov 08- Jan 09	ON HOLD - pending negotiations with adjoining owner on his proposed subdivision. Planning has advised one of the adjoining owners, Garth Bird, that Council would be agreeable to the road closure and possible disposal and suggested that he make a request to Council to have the road closed and make application to purchase. Planning recommends wait until he requests road closure and ask him for the road closure fee. Frank will keep us informed if he hears anymore from owner. Director Operations has advised that an application be lodged for road closure.
1.27	RD00210 Edward Street	Opening and closing.	18-Jul-08 Nov 08	Letter sent to Andrew McNamara at Pegasus to provide a quotation for the preparation of plans and lodgement. This is in conjunction with Kelso Street matter Contacted Pegasus as to status of quotation. Waiting on Response
1.30	RD00069 Putty Valley Road	Compulsory acquisition - Road opening over a Crown road, road closure (Resolution 195/06).	25-Jul-08 Nov 08	Letter sent to Dept of Local Government responding to additional information required. Contacted Dept of Local Gov as to status of information provided. Waiting a response.
1.31	RD00011 Bridgman Road	Road widening, Lot 1 DP 410645 (McTaggart).	27-Mar-08 – Jan 09	Road widening - lot 1 DP 410645 (McTaggart). Matter not yet commenced.
1.32	DA/2006 Wambo Mining	Road closure and use (response to Ross Hawkes)	Nov 08	Two matters - (1) Ross Hawkes and his objection to closure of corn roads - (2) Objection from Mr Fenwick to Council public road to be closed through mine. On Matter (2), the Department is processing this application
1.38	RD00453 Elderslie Road - (Patton) – STAGE 1	Land acquisition and road opening/closure (Patton).	Aug 08 Nov 08 – Jan 09	Plans currently being prepared Landowners consent required
1.39	RD00453 Elderslie Road - (Moore) – STAGE 2	Land acquisition and road opening (Moore).	Aug 08 Nov 08	This section of the Project is deferred pending completion of Stage 1 as the project is being completed in Stages.
1.41	RD07767 Cessnock Road	Land acquisition and road opening (Department of Defence).	07-Apr-08 16 Oct 08	The priority of this matter has slipped well down the list. It has never really been a high priority project. There is no specific funding for the work. It will be done using maintenance funding some time. It is one of those jobs we will do when we can spare the resources. Possible NO ACQUISITION REQUIRED - Brendan Behringer to confirm
1.43	RD00034 Goorangoola Road	(Double crossing) – land acquisition and road opening (Bailey).	Aug 08 Jan 09	Plans currently being prepared No further action at this time.
1.44	RD00049 Long Point Road	Land acquisition and road opening (Neal).	Aug 08 16 Oct 08 Nov 08 Jan 09	Plans currently being prepared Permit to Enter / Acquisition prepared. Waiting on Works to approve design. Permit to Enter / Acquisition has been sent. Waiting response from owner. Consent received from landowner
1.45	RD00904 Glendonbrook Road (Boyces Bridge)	Land acquisition and road opening (Boyce).	Jul 08 1 Sept 08 1 Sept 4 Sept 08 Nov 08 Jan 09	Waiting for response from MRM Lawyers (Mrs Boyce solicitor) Followed up with MRM Lawyers as to status Ltr received from MRM Lawyers – Mrs Boyce requires $2,240 compensation and work in kind as well as additional information. Letter received from MRM Lawyers – requesting payment (including interest) for Mr L Boyce Preparation of report to Council and compensation currently being organised. Report required for Councils consideration of acquisition – see separate report
1.47	RD00061 Old Carrowbrook Road (Franks Bridge)	Land acquisition and road opening (Forrester).	Aug 08 Jan 09	Plans currently being prepared No acquisition required.
1.48	RD00037 Hambledon Hill road	Land acquisition and road opening and closure (O’Hara and Andrews).	Aug 08 Jan 09	Plans currently being prepared Awaiting landowners consent
1.49	RD01300 Kelso Street	Land acquisition (road widening).	Oct 08	Valuation quotations received. Currently still in negotiations with owners.
1.50	RD00101 Stony Creek Road	Road opening (Glennies Creek Mine).	28-Mar-08 12 Sept 08 Nov 2008	Mining Company has to register the plan of subdivision opening the road to the public. Separate DA with Planning department of plan of subdivision. Once the DA is completed the Plan is returned to the applicant for lodgement with LPI. Upon Registration the road is a dedicated public road. Email was sent to Dept of Lands – as part of the Council public road closure – affects Crown Road – question if we are able to include both road closures on the one application form. – Waiting on response from Dept of Lands Application pending - awaiting road opening Stoney Creek Road by Mining Company
1.53	RD00053 Middle Falbrook Road	Road closure for mining (Rix’s Creek, Glennies Creek and Camberwell).	Aug 08 Dec 08	Letter to owners requesting offer for the sale of the land. Awaiting Response Follow up with owner as to status.
1.54.01	RD00014 Gravel Pit, Milbrodale Road	Under Utilised and Surplus Public Land - Roads: Gravel Pit, Milbrodale Road, 1D Reference 110, Lot 1 DP 344187	Nov 08	Report to Council recommending acceptance of offer, if received, from Darren Rockely of Androck Engineering P/L or proceed to Auction as per marketing submission received from Ray White Singleton
1.54.02	RD00064 Road off Old North Road and Hermitage Road	Under Utilised and Surplus Public Land - Roads: Road off Old North Road and Hermitage Road, 1D Reference 257, Lot 1 DP 823737 (Fitzsimmons).	20-May-08	Lot 3 & Lot 43 to be closed. Road Opening to be prepared through Lots 3 & 4 DP 249228 (Fitzsimmons) -
1.54.03	RD00040 Closed road near Hermitage Road, Pokolbin,	Under Utilised and Surplus Public Land - Roads: Closed road near Hermitage Road, Pokolbin, ID Reference 281, 283, 284, Lots 1,2,3 DP 843117.	20-May-08	Awaiting determination of LEP amendment to classify residue land as operational.
1.54.04	RD00040 Vacant land near Hermitage Road, Pokolbin	Under Utilised and Surplus Public Land - Roads:    Vacant land near Hermitage Road, Pokolbin, ID Reference 286, 287, 288, Lots 3,4,5 DP 843118.	20-May-08	Awaiting determination of LEP amendment lodged May 2007 to classify Operational -
1.54.05	RD00127 Vacant land, Wollombi Road, Paynes Crossing	Under Utilised and Surplus Public Land - Roads: Vacant land, Wollombi Road, Paynes Crossing, ID Reference 312, Lot 279 DP 855697.	04-Aug-08 21 Aug 08 Nov 08	Report to Council - COW - recommending acceptance of offer - Crooks/Cooke Letter to Crooks/Cooke, accept offer, Agreement enclosed for signing, upon receipt of signed copies refer to Sparke Helmore to prepare. Real Property Act Transfer to be lodged at LPI by purchaser with original CT (purchasers solicitor Michael Kerridge & Co) Letter to Sparke Helmore returning signed Agreement and CT, requesting payment of $1000 prior to release of title
1.54.06	RD00064 Vacant land, corner of Old North Road and Hermitage Road, Pokolbin	Under Utilised and Surplus Public Land - Roads: Vacant land, corner of Old North Road and Hermitage Road, Pokolbin, ID Reference 313, Lot 42 DP 858233 (Fitzsimmons). (linked to 1.54.2)	20-May-08	Awaiting determination of LEP Amendment lodged May 2007 to classify Operational - relates to Road opening / closure Fitzsimmons
1.54.07	RD00083 Residue vacant land, Stanhope Road, Elderslie,	Under Utilised and Surplus Public Land - Roads: Residue vacant land, Stanhope Road, Elderslie, ID Reference 319, Lot 6 DP 861727.	20-May-08 Aug 08 01-Sep-08 09-Sep-08 19 Sep 08 Nov 08	LEP Amendment to classify Operational land lodged 20 May 2008 Road Closure Application submitted to Dept of Lands Road Closure Application Approval received from Dept of Lands - TRIM document has been forwarded to Cyndi Day Certificate of Titles have been printed out Letters to adjoining owners and Govt Depts have been sent. Advertisement has been placed – Date of Submissions Close: 17 October 08 Report prepared for 1 December Operations meeting
1.54.08	RD00090 Middle Falbrook Road	Under Utilised and Surplus Public Land - Roads: Closed road, New England Highway, Camberwell, ID Reference 328, 329, Lots 1 and 3 DP 873260. (Relates to 1.53)	07-Aug-08 08-Aug-08	Meeting GW office, 7.30am, Chris Smith, Bob Corbett, Keith Googe, Greg, Gary - discuss transfer of land Integra Coal to complete Opening of Stony Creek Rd, upon finalisation will then arrange transfer of land as per Deed of Compensation (1997) on file
1.54.09	RD00903 Road widening, Gresford Road, Sedgefield,	Under Utilised and Surplus Public Land - Roads: Road widening, Gresford Road, Sedgefield, ID Reference 356, 357, Lots 4 and 5 DP 1017441.	20-May-08 Aug 08 1 Sept 08 9 Sept 08 19 Sept 08 Nov 08	LEP Amendment to classify Operational land lodged 20 May 2008 Road Closure Application submitted to Dept of Lands Road Closure Application Approval received from Dept of Lands - Certificate of Titles have been printed out Letters to adjoining owners and Govt Depts have been sent. Advertisement has been placed – Date of Submissions Close: 17 October 08 Report prepared for 1 December Operations meeting
1.54.10	Gravel Quarry, Putty Road, Mt Thorley	Under Utilised and Surplus Public Land - Roads: Gravel Quarry, Putty Road, Mt Thorley, ID Reference 385, Lot 1 DP 36997	20 May 08	LEP Amendment to reclassify from Community to Operational Land lodged 20 May 2008
1.55	Glennies Creek Road	Road Deviation	6 Aug 08 21 Aug 08 3 Sept 08 4 Sept 08 Nov 08	Dept to provide details of what is proposed – re: land swap with mine – need plan of what is proposed to open public road in relation to cadasta of land (mine / common etc) Letter received to Dept of Lands Email sent to Dept of Lands – requesting information on Land Swap – Plan of Proposal Letter sent to Ashton Coal requesting them to complete a road closing application Road deviation by Mining Company. Awaiting advice from Development Engineer.
1.56	DA513/2002 77 John Street	Land Dedicated as Public road	Aug 08 Jan 09	Plans currently being prepared No further action at this time.
1.57	RD01290 Howe Street & New England Highway	Proposed realignment of the intersection (lots 1, 44, 45, 46 DP234835 & Lots 431 DP 1091041 – Korth Developments	Aug 08 Dec 08 Jan 09	Plans currently being prepared Permit to Enter for Acquisition to be prepared No further action at this time.
1.58	RD00127 Wollombi Road	Road Widening (Barbalace)	28 August 08 5 Sept 08 9 Sept 08 1 Oct 08	Permit to Enter and Acquisition Agreement sent to property owner. Permit to Enter and Acquisition Agreement received from property owner. Plans and Agreement forms lodged with Planning Dept for action Roadworks completed and awaiting dedication of the road with the owners development.
1.59	RD00054 Mirannie Road	Road Realignment	Aug 08 16 Oct 08 Nov 08 Jan 09	Plans currently being prepared Permit to Enter / Acquisition prepared, waiting on Works to approve design. Permit to Enter / Acquisition sent to owner. Waiting a response. Consent received
1.60	P1/RD00904 Glendonbrook Road	Land Acquisition	16 Oct 08	Awaiting draft Preliminary design
1.61	P1\RD00014 Herbert Street Bridge - Milbrodale Road	Land Acquisition	16 Oct 08	Awaiting draft preliminary design

OTHER MATTERS

DATE	DESCRIPTION	STATUS
Nil

FOR COUNCIL’S INFORMATION

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

SINGLETON COUNCIL	Meeting of Singleton Council - 2 February 2009
	Manager Design and Contracts No. 1/09

2.

Acquisition of part of Lot 5 DP 263134 for road widening - Glendonbrook Road Author: Christopher Martin

FILE: RD00904

Executive Summary:

As part of the replacement of Boyces bridge over Webbers Creek, Council realigned a section of Glendonbrook Road for the approaches to the new bridge. The Realignment required the acquisition of land being part of Lot 4 and Lot 5 DP 263134. Council approved the acquisition of land over Lot 4 DP 263134 on 28 April 2008 and negotiations have been ongoing with the owner of Lot 5 DP 263134.

Background:

In accordance with the Roads Act 1993, Council may acquire land for road purposes. Council has realigned a section of Glendonbrook Road for the replacement of Boyce Bridge and the survey has identified an area of 620m2 required for road widening of Lot 5 DP263134. A copy of the preliminary acquisition plan is attached (Attachment 1). The owner of Lot 5 DP 263134, Mrs J Boyce provided consent for Council to enter the land to carry out the roadworks and survey required on 4 October 2007.

Mrs Joyce Boyce (Lot 5 DP 263134) has requested the sum of $1,800.00 plus work in kind being the construction of new access gateway 3.7m wide and recessed including fencing of the new road alignment. Mrs Boyce’s reasonable legal costs associated with the acquisition and the cost to survey and register the plan are to be borne by Council.

Management Plan:

The acquisition of land is included in Council’s Management Plan.

Council Policy:

Not Applicable.

Legislation:

The land acquisition for road purposes is acquired in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993, the Roads Act 1993 and the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991.

Sustainability:

Social:

The proposal to acquire the land for road widening associated with the road realignment and replacement of Boyce’s bridge has a positive impact on the community as the proposal has improved the road network and provided a safer environment for traffic.

Environmental:

There is minimal impact on the environment as a result of the widening of the road at this location.

Financial:

The compensation to Mrs Boyce is required to be provided in accordance with the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 and the offer from Mrs Boyce is considered to be consistent with the valuation. Mrs Boyce has requested $1,800 plus work in kind and the survey work is estimated to cost in the vicinity of $8,000.00. The cost to acquire the land and prepare the plan of survey for registration is included in the Budget for 2008/09.

Consultation:

Negotiations with the property owner have been ongoing since Mrs J Boyce gave consent for Council to enter the land to carry out the road work and associated survey in October 2007. The negotiations have resulted positively in a reasonable offer for the acquisition of the land.

Risk Management:

Council has carried out the road works associated with the bridge construction and the acceptance of the reasonable offer from Mrs Joyce Boyce will prevent Council from having to compulsorily acquire the land. Compulsory acquisition of the land will be time consuming and result in additional costs for Council.

Options:

Council may acquire land for road purposes by agreement or by compulsory acquisition.

Acquisition by agreement is the most cost effective and timely method. Acceptance of the offer from Mrs Joyce Boyce by agreement for the sum of $1,800.00 plus work in kind is considered reasonable and is in accordance with Just Terms.

Council may decline the offer from Mrs Boyce and resolve to make application to the Minister to compulsorily acquire the land.

Conclusions:

The offer of $1,800 plus work in kind from Mrs Joyce Boyce is considered reasonable and is in accordance with the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991. Compulsory acquisition of the land will ultimately result in further costs to Council.

RECOMMENDED that:

1. Council accept the offer of $1,800 plus work in kind being the construction of the new access gateway 3.7m wide and recessed including fencing of the new alignment for the purchase of approximately 620m2 of part of Lot 5 DP263134 – Glendonbrook Road, Glendonbrook.

2. Approval is given to affix the Common Seal of Singleton Council to Plan of Subdivision of Lots 4 and 5 DP263134 – Glendonbrook Road, Glendonbrook and the land to be acquired dedicated to the public as public road on the Plan.

Chris Martin Brian Carter

Manager Design & Contracts Acting Director Operations

Attachments

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Glendonbrook road

1 Page

Attachment 1	Manager Design and Contracts No. 1/09
Glendonbrook road	Acquisition of part of Lot 5 DP 263134 for road widening - Glendonbrook Road

SINGLETON COUNCIL	Meeting of Singleton Council - 2 February 2009
	Manager Works Report No. 3/09

1.

Bitumen Resealing Program Author: Brendan Behringer

FILE: 02/0281

Detail:

Council will complete its Bitumen Resealing Programme for 2008/2009 with the commencement of the Urban Streets in late February 2009.

The bitumen and aggregate surface acts as the wearing surface, reducing the rate of pavement wear and maintenance costs by reducing surface moisture reaching the pavement. It also improves the riding qualities of the pavement as well as providing a safe, economical and durable all weather surface.

Below is a listing of the Urban Streets to be resealed.

Town Streets

Street Name	Location From and To
Bourke Street	Campbell to Macquarie St
Bourke Street	Macquarie to Elizabeth St
Bourke Street	Elizabeth to Hunter St
Bourke Street	Hunter to William St
Bourke Street	William to Pitt St
Bourke Street	Pitt to Castlereagh St
Bourke Street	Castlereagh to York St
Bowman St	0.00 to 0.026 from York St
Bowman St	0.026 to 0.093 from York St
Castlereagh Street	John to Bathurst St
Castlereagh Street	Bathurst to Church St
Castlereagh Street	Church to George St
Combo Lane	0.22km to 0.36kmfrom Queen Street
Combo Lane	0.36 to 1.64km from Queen Street
Darlington Road	0.00 to 0.85km from Simpson Avenue
Elizabeth Street	John to George St
Hunter Street	John to George St
William Street	John to Church St
William Street	Church to George St
York Street	Church to John St

Singleton Heights Streets

Street Name	Location From and To
Acacia Circuit	0.06 to 0.94km from Bridgman Rd
Bailey Close	0.00 to 0.18km from Bridgman Rd
Gardner Circuit	0.00 to 1.29km from Bridgman Rd
James Cook Ave	Lawson to White Ave
Wentworth Avenue	Lawson to White Ave
Wentworth Avenue	Lawson to White Ave

FOR COUNCIL’S INFORMATION

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

SINGLETON COUNCIL	Meeting of Singleton Council - 2 February 2009
	Manager Works Report No. 3/09

2.

Works Program Area Maintenance and Construction Author: Brendan Behringer

FILE: 02/0281

Detail:

The Following works have been completed, are in progress or are to be commenced by the Works Program Area.

a) Regional Roads Improvement Program

Road	Location	Nature of Work	Status
Gresford Road (RR128)	7.00 to 7.55km from Redbournberry Bridge	Rehabilitation of 550m section of existing road involving pavement widening, strengthening and sealing.	100% Complete.
Elderslie Road	11.88 to 13.13km from Cessnock City Council Boundary (Branxton).	Rehabilitation of 1250m section of existing road involving some realignment, pavement widening, strengthening and sealing.	Stage 1 12.43 to 13.13km (last 700m) 25% complete.

(b) Regional Roads Timber Bridge Partnership Program

Road	Location	Nature of Work	Status
Dunolly Road (RR7774)	Dunolly Bridge – Western approach over flood way	Replacement of existing timber spans on western approach with new concrete structure.	100% Complete.

(c) Local Roads Improvement Program

Road	Location	Nature of Work	Status
Westbrook Road	5.00 to 5.70km from Mirannie Road	Rehabilitation of 700m section of road involving pavement widening, strengthening and sealing.	10% Complete.
Stanhope Road	9.00 to 9.78km from Elderslie Road	Rehabilitation of 780m section of road involving pavement widening, strengthening and resealing.	100% Complete.
Bowman’s Creek Road	1.75 to 2.50km from Old Goorangoola Road.	Rehabilitation of 750m section of road involving pavement widening, strengthening and sealing.	10% Complete.

(d) Supplementary Roads to Recovery

Road	Location	Nature of Work	Status
Old Carrowbrook Road	Franks Bridge	Construction of a new concrete bridge to replace the existing timber structure.	Deck is complete. On site construction to commence.
Hebden Road	Clydesdales Bridge over Foy Brook	Construction of a new concrete bridge to replace existing timber structure.	Deck is 70% complete.

(e) Section 94 Contributions Projects

Road	Location	Nature of Work	Status
Hebden Road	Bridge over Stringybark Creek	Construction of a new concrete bridge to replace existing timber structure.	100% Complete.

(f) Kerb and Gutter Program

Road	Location	Nature of Work	Status
Ryan Avenue	From the Sun Dial to Burns Lane.	Install 350m of kerb and gutter on the north western side of Ryan Avenue.	To commence.

(g) Other Works

Road	Location	Nature of Work	Status
Carrowbrook Road		Construction of unsealed section of road on correct road reserve alignment.	80% Complete.

(h) Country Transport Passenger Infrastructure Grants

Road	Location	Nature of Work	Status
Simpson Terrace	Intersection with Allan Court.	Installation of new Bus Shelter.	60% Complete.

(i) Flood Damage Repairs

Nature of Work	Status
Damage claims and permanent repairs. Estimates have been prepared for all roads and approved by RTA.	Permanent restoration works 90% complete.

(j) General Maintenance

Carried out on State Roads, Regional Roads, Rural Local Roads and Urban Local Roads where required, including the following:

Maintenance	Road/Street/Bridge
Sealed Maintenance	Hebden, Coachmens, Busby, Range, Middle Fallbrook, Lemington, Dights Crossing, Maison Dieu, Wollombi, Goorangoola, Milbrodale, Rusty Lane, Summerhill and Fernhill Roads.
Shoulder Maintenance	Gresford and Lemington Roads.
Roadside Maintenance	Glendon, Glendon Lane, Gresford, Hebden, Antiene, Gouldsville, Long Point, Scotts Flat, Roughit Lane and Mirannie Roads.
Reseal Preparation	Regional Roads 80% complete, Rural Local Roads 70% complete and Urban Roads to commence.

FOR COUNCIL’S INFORMATION

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

SINGLETON COUNCIL	Meeting of Singleton Council - 2 February 2009
	Manager Works Report No. 3/09

3.

Minutes of the Local Traffic Committee Meeting - 27 November 2008 Author: Michael Launders

FILE: 00/0002-3

Executive Summary:

The minutes of the Singleton Local Traffic Committee meeting held 27 November 2008 are detailed as Attachment 1.

RECOMMENDED that the minutes of the Singleton Local Traffic Committee meeting held on 27 November 2008 be received and that the recommendations contained within the minutes Formal Agenda Items be adopted.

Attachments

AT-1View

LTCM - 271108

27 Pages

Attachment 1	Manager Works Report No. 3/09
LTCM - 271108	Minutes of the Local Traffic Committee Meeting - 27 November 2008

MINUTES OF THE LOCAL TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER ON 27TH NOVEMBER 2008 COMMENCING AT 9.30 A.M.

PRESENT

RTA: Mr. I Jenkins. (Road Safety and Traffic Officer)

Police: Sergeant R. Akerman, (Traffic Officer, Hunter Valley Local Area Command.).

Local Member: Member for Upper Hunter represented by Mr. R. Winter.

Council: Cr. A. Howlett, Mr. B. Behringer (Acting Manager Works), Mr. S. Mackie (Trainee Engineer) and Mr. M. Launders (Traffic Coordinator).

APOLOGY: None received

MINUTES:

Resolved, that the Minutes of the Local Traffic Committee Meeting, held on the 19^th February 2008 as circularized be received and adopted.

(Winter / Akerman)

1. BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

1.1. QUEEN STREET FILE: RD 00915

Issue: Request for No Stopping parking restrictions on the south side of Queen Street from the vehicle entrance to number 9-11 (S.E.S. base) to the Singleton Crossing off-loading ramp junction with Queen Street.

Source: Membership of Singleton S.E.S. via Cr. Moore

Council’s Traffic Coordinator asked the RTA representative when concurrence would be provided to Council for the installation of parking restrictions recommended by the Committee at the 19^th of February 2008 meeting.

The RTA representative indicated his verbal consent. Council’s Traffic Coordinator then requested confirmation of this consent in writing. The RTA representative then agreed to provide the subject consent in writing.

To be Noted.

2. FORMAL AGENDA

2.1 GARDNER CIRCUIT FILE: RD 0230

Issue: Hazardous anti social driving practices in the partially developed area of Gardner Circuit.

Source: Council’s Traffic Technician and Councillor Request Form No 1091.

It has come to Councils attention that hazardous anti social driving is occurring in the partially developed section of Gardiner Circuit. A resident of the affected section of Gardner Circuit contacted Council staff and it appears from Councillor Request Form No 1091 of the 10^th of June 2008 that Councillor Scott has also been approached on the same issue.

The affected section of Gardner Circuit is that section between the northern most Bridgman Road / Gardner Circuit junction and Nicholas Conoly Drive. This section is around 840 metres in length and is still developing with the following features:

· New Dwellings under construction

· Vacant allotments

· Some recently occupied new dwellings

· Further park construction at the Nowlan Park retention basin.

· An abutting new subdivision. (Pinnacle 6)

· Carriageway width of 13.0 metres.

The anti social behaviour reported consists mainly of speeding and reckless driving by young drivers. Responses to approaches made to the police services have not satisfied the affected residents.

As part of the Pinnacle Six subdivision works a cycle / pedestrian refuge was constructed on the carriageway of Gardner Circuit at Nowlan Park and a footpath constructed on the northern footway of Gardner Circuit. Future works in the subject section of Gardner Circuit will include provision of more street lighting.

It was initially thought that the anti social driving particularly speeding would be limited by the installation of the cycle / pedestrian refuge. However this facility has produced other hazardous driving by some east bound vehicles which pass through the refuge on the incorrect side of the refuges central median island. Since this was reported a trial edge line and a barrier centre line have been installed. At the time of the drafting of this report the line marking is still being monitored to see what effect it has had on the anti social behaviour on the approaches to the cycle pedestrian refuge island. The provision of such line marking should make policing of road rules easier for the police service.

As the subject section of Gardner Circuit will function as part a collector distributor road it will warrant centre line marking when the area becomes fully developed. At this stage centre line marking between the northern most Bridgman Road junction and Nicholas Conoly Drive is warranted. Also adoption of the trial edge lines at the pedestrian /cycle way refuge should also be included.

In relation to the anti social driving Council will continue to monitor the situation and where practical pass data onto the police service to assist them in policing the problem. It is anticipated that as the area further develops and becomes more built up the anti social driving will abate.

The Local Traffic Committee RECOMMENDS that, to cater for future traffic growth in the section of Gardner Circuit from the northern most Bridgman Road junction to Nicholas Conoly Drive and to try and reduce anti social behaviour in this section:

1. Appropriate centre line marking be installed

2. The trial edge lines on the approaches to pedestrian cycleway refuge, be, confirmed.

3. Council continue to monitor the anti social driving behaviour and pass relevant data onto the police service to assist them in policing the area

(Akerman / Jenkins)

2. YORK STREET FILE: RD 01530

DA 16 /2008

Issue: Traffic congestion with major events at the Singleton Showground.

Sources: Councils Traffic Coordinator.

On the 19^th to the 21^st of February 2008 a major mining equipment exhibition was held at the Singleton Showground. York Street in the Bathurst Street to Church Street block became impaired with traffic congestion on the opening day of the event. The same congestion was prevented on the second and third days by Council intervention in the form of temporarily restricting parking on the northern side of the subject block of York Street.

Although there was off-street parking in the showground it was insufficient to meet the demand, putting on-street parking in high demand also.

The event in question acquired Council approval via a DA application.(DA 16/2008) However the planning process did not enforce the condition that the event organiser provide a traffic plan prior to the event. There is no record of a traffic plan in the subject DA file. The traffic assessment done in the statement of environmental effects provided by the event organiser was superficial and inadequate.

The accepted procedure for events now is to put the onus on the event organiser to provide traffic facilities to cater for increases in traffic volumes and parking. Other wise the Council or another authority will be stuck with providing traffic facilities for the event. The state government has published guidelines for event organisers and they include requirements on traffic management and parking.

Council has traditionally provided on-street temporary traffic facilities for the annual Singleton Show. However other organizations that hire the showground, particularly corporate ones, for major events that will generate excessive motor vehicle traffic should bear the responsibility for the additional facilities to control the excess motor vehicle traffic.

During the mining exhibition notes were kept on problems in York Street being experience by motor vehicles exiting the showground into York Street and congestion in the Bathurst Street to Church Street block of York Street which was caused by on-street parking on both sides of the carriageway.

To ease traffic congestion and to promote safer functioning of the York Street gate, Council staff considered some on-street parking restrictions near them. The subject issue was raised in communications with the showground association (N.A.A.) and they responded with correspondence which supported the proposal and sought similar treatment at other showground entrances.

In addition to the above correspondence communications to and from the N.A.A. an on-site meeting was conducted with N.A.A., officials, on the 8^th August 2008. During this discussion the N.A.A. officials present raised no objection to the imposition of on-street parking restrictions around the showground entrances. However they did request an extra six metres of parking restriction at the northern most Bathurst Street gate with an exception for an official N.A.A. vehicle to be used during major events in the risk reduction role and to assist in the management of the showground entrances during the event.

To improve the functioning and safety of all showground gateways, to ease traffic congestion in parts of York Street, Church Street and Bathurst Street that abut the showground the following tables of parking restrictions should be considered:

Permanent Parking Restrictions
Gate	Benefit
York Street Permanent No Parking, parking restrictions on the southern side of York Street around the showground gate. (12 metres to the east , 6 metres to the west)	Aid entry and provide safe sight distance between vehicles exiting the showground and vehicle travelling on York Street.
Church Street Permanent No Parking, parking restrictions on the western side of Church Street around the northern most showground gate. (12 metres to the south , 6 metres to the north)	Aid entry and provide safe sight distance between vehicles exiting the showground and vehicle travelling on Church Street.
Bathurst Street Permanent No Parking, parking restrictions on the eastern side of Bathurst Street around the southern most showground gate. (9 metres to the north , 6 metres to the south)	Aid entry and provide safe sight distance between vehicles exiting the showground and vehicle travelling on Bathurst Street.
Bathurst Street Permanent No Parking, parking restrictions on the eastern side of Bathurst Street around the northern most showground gate. (12 metres to the north , 12 metres to the south, 6 of which will be dedicated to an NAA official vehicle)	Aid entry and provide safe sight distance between vehicles exiting the showground and vehicle travelling on Bathurst Street. Assist the NAA in managing the annual show and other major events.

Temporary Parking Restrictions
Restriction & Location	Benefit / Non Benefit
York St: No Parking, parking restrictions on the northern side of York Street in the Bathurst to Church Street block for the duration of the major event.	Benefit Allows through traffic to flow freely in this block of York Street. Non Benefit In relation to on-street parking residents of the northern side of the street will not be able to park adjacent to their residences. They will have to park on the opposite side of the street or off-street.
Church St 1: Temporary No Parking, parking restrictions on the eastern side of Church Street north from Dight Avenue to the southern side of the vehicle entrance to No 20 for the duration of the major event.	Benefit Allows through traffic to flow freely in this block of Church Street. Particularly around vehicles waiting to turn right into the showground. Non Benefit .Loss of on-street parking on the Church Street frontage of No 2A Dight Avenue.
Church St 2: Temporary No Parking, parking restrictions on the eastern side of Church Street north from the vehicle entrance of No 30 to the vehicle entrance of No 26.	Benefit Allows through traffic to flow freely in this block of Church Street. Particularly around vehicles waiting to turn right into the showground. Non Benefit Loss of on-street parking between No 26 to No 30 Church Street.

In relation to the dedication of a parking space dedicated to an NAA official vehicle the police delegate requested that the vehicle bear some sort of labelling to identify the vehicle as an official NAA vehicle and that the same labelling also contain a contact phone number.

The RTA delegate requested the addition of No Stopping parking notices set at the standard statutory distances at the Church Street / Dight Avenue road junction.

The Local Traffic Committee RECOMMENDS that:

1. To facilitate traffic flow in the Bathurst Street to Church Street block of York Street during major traffic generating events at the Singleton Showground temporary No Parking, parking restrictions as illustrated in the following drawing titled “Traffic Control Plan for Temporary Parking Restrictions York St” be provided on the northern side of York Street in the subject block for the duration of the major event.

2. To facilitate ingress and egress motor vehicle movements at Church Street, York Street and Bathurst Street gateways to the showground permanent No Parking, parking restrictions be provided as follows in the following table:

Parking Restrictions Singleton Showground Gateways
Street	Side of Street / Gate	Parking Restriction
Church	West / Northern most set of gates	No Parking from 12 metres south of the southern most, gateway of this set of gates to 6 metres north of the northern most, gateway of this set of gates.
York	South / Mid block Bathurst to Church Sts	No Parking from 12 metres east of the gateway to 6 metres west of the gateway.
Bathurst	East / Northern most gate	No Parking from 12 metres north of the gateway to 6 metres south of the gate followed by another 6 metres of No Parking with an exception for an appropriately labelled N.A.A. vehicle.
Bathurst	East / Southern most gate	No Parking from 9 metres north of the gateway to 6 metres south of the gateway.

3. To facilitate turning movements into and from the Church Street showground gates during the annual show and other major events the option to put in place for the duration of the subject events the temporary traffic facilities as follows and as illustrated in the following drawing titled “Traffic Control Plan for Temporary Parking Restrictions Church St”, be supported:

(i Temporary No Parking, parking restrictions on the eastern side of Church Street north from Dight Avenue to the southern side of the vehicle entrance to No 20 for the duration of the major event.

(ii Temporary No Parking, parking restrictions on the eastern side of Church Street north from the vehicle entrance of No 30 to the vehicle entrance of No 26.

4. The onus for providing additional on-street traffic facilities for major events at the Singleton Showground be placed upon the event organiser with the exception, being, the annual Singleton Show.

(Akerman / Jenkins)

3. PATRICK STREET FILE: RD 01380

Issue: Request for school hours parking restrictions on the eastern side of Patrick Street from Queen Street to Market Street.

Source: Parents and Friends Association Saint Catherine’s Catholic College.

The President of the Parents and Friends Association Saint Catherine’s Catholic College wrote to council requesting that No Parking, parking restriction effective between 8.00am to 9.30 am and 2.30 pm to 4.30pm be, provided on the eastern side of Patrick Street between Queen Street and Market Street.

The reasons given for this request were as follows:

· During high levels of peak period traffic vehicles parked on – street cause on- street congestion which impedes traffic flow along the street including school buses.

· The above congestion results in safety issues for vehicles and young pedestrians due to sight distance restrictions resulting from inappropriately parked cars.

In investigating this matter the following table of inspection and surveys were carried out by Council’s traffic staff:

Surveys Patrick Street
Date / Day	Time	Survey / Observation
31.7.2008 / Thurs	2.51 pm to 3.25pm	Observed functioning of Patrick St and took notes.
1.8.2008 / Fri	8.43 am to 9.02 am	Observed functioning of Patrick St and took notes.
4.8.2008 / Mon	2.35 pm to 3.30 pm	Off –street car parking survey.
6.8.2008 / Wed	2.45 pm to 3.15 pm	Observed access / egress point of St Catherine’s junior school.

From the above surveys and observations the following was noted or concluded:

· The system provided by the school for vehicles to deposit and pick-up school students is situated in a private off-street car park that abuts the school. This car park will be referred to as Saint Patrick’s Car Park in this report. The ingress and egress to this car park is from and to Patrick Street. The majority of parent’s use this system in depositing and picking up their children. Some however use Patrick Street for these activities. It was also noted that on some occasions the off-street car park does not have the capacity to cater for all parents vehicles forcing some to park on street. This situation was witnessed during the 31^st July survey. If on-street parking has to occur it is better that the eastern side of Patrick Street is favoured as the trip to and from the school grounds does not involve the crossing a carriageway. Because Saint Patrick’s Car Park does not have defined parking bays it will never reach its full potential in storing parked vehicles.

· The worst situation occurs in the afternoon peak as departures from the school are concentrated into a short time span. While in the morning arrivals at the school are staggered so not all vehicle arrivals and departures are concentrated into the same short time period.

· Some on- street parking on Patrick Street in the vicinity of the vehicle ingress / egress point are obstructive to exit and entry movements from and into the off-street car park.

The following table of traffic facilities is put forward as means to address the problems raised by the Parents and Citizens:

Proposed Traffic Facilities Patrick St
Facility	Location	Benefit
1. Extend No Stopping parking restriction by 2.5 metres.	Patrick St. West side south of Kent St.	Better sight distance to Kent St junction Lessen convenient on – street parking may encourage use of off-street parking.
2. Provide No Stopping parking restriction. 31.9 metres in length	Patrick St. East side across egress / ingress point to off-street car park.	Better sight distance to and from egress / ingress point should facilitate safety of entry and exit movements and also expedite these movements.
3. Provide school times No Parking, parking restriction.	Patrick St. East side south of No Stopping restriction proposed in “2” above.	Provide a convenient location for dropping off older students. (includes high school students who take younger siblings to junior school)
4. Provide appropriate centre line markings	Patrick St. Each approach to ingress / egress point of off –street car park	Assist in prevent illegal parking and assist ingress and egress of off –street car park.
5. Provide appropriate centre line markings	Kent Street for 9 metres from Patrick St.	Assist in prevent illegal parking to close to the Patrick St. junction.

PATRICK ST / KENT ST

N T S

Drawn: M.J. L. 19.11.2008

The Local Traffic Committee RECOMMENDS that, to facilitate both pedestrian safety and vehicle movements to and from the Patrick Street access point to Saint Catherine’s College the following traffic facilities, described in writing and graphically represented in a graphic titled “Patrick St / Kent Street “be provided:

1. Extension of the existing No Stopping parking restriction on the western side of Patrick Street, south of Kent Street, by 2.5 metres southwards.

2. Provide a No Stopping parking zone, 31.90 metes long, across the vehicle ingress / egress point of St Patrick’s car park.

3. Provide a school hours No Parking zone on the eastern side of Patrick Street for a distance of 11.5 metres from the existing No Stopping notice south of Kent Street.

4. Provide an appropriate length of painted centre line on the Patrick Street carriageway on each approach to the vehicle ingress / egress point of Saint Patrick’s Car Park.

5. Provide a barrier, barrier centre line on the Kent Street carriageway for a distance of nine metres from Patrick Street.

(Howlett / Jenkins)

4. WALLABY SCRUB ROAD FILES: DA 5/2006

M9 - 4 RD 00090

Issue: Objection on safety grounds to road alterations brought about by railway works on Wallaby Scrub Road near the entrance to No 683.

Sources: 1.Cec M Hawkes Pty Ltd.

2. Director – General, NSW Department of Planning.

The road environment around the entrance to No 683 “Springwood” which fronts Wallaby Scrub Road was changed with the construction of the railway line to Warkworth. Mr R. Hawkes, Managing Director of Cec M. Hawkes Pty Ltd the owner of “Springwood’ claims that the rail works had an adverse impact on the ingress / egress point to “Springwood”. Mr. Hawkes is currently in dispute with Wambo Coal Pty Ltd. on this issue.

.Mr Hawkes claims that the rail works on Wallaby Scrub Road adversely affected his access / egress in the following ways:

(a.) Reduction in off- carriageway distance between the edge of the carriageway and the gateway to “Springwood”.

(b.) Guardrail associated with the rail project provided on the eastern side of Wallaby Scrub Road prevents south bound through vehicles passing a vehicle turning right into “Springwood” on the left hand side of the turning vehicle.

(c.) Guardrail associated with the rail project provided on the western side of Wallaby Scrub Road prevents north bound vehicles leaving “Springwood” from using the road shoulder to accelerate before entering the carriageway.

Earlier this year Insite Planning Engineering Environmental was engaged by Wambo Coal Pty. Ltd. on the instruction of the N.S.W. Department of Planning, to prepare a Road Safety Assessment of the existing access to No 683, “Springwood”,

Wallaby Scrub Road.

The key finding of the Insite Planning assessment are listed as follows:

1. The rail works carried out in 2005 / 2006 have adversely affected the safety of the access point to No 683 Wallaby Scrub Road.

2. The main impact being a reduction in length between the gate structure of No 683 and the carriageway of Wallaby Scrub Road.

3. Guardrail provided at the rail overpass has limited the ability of Mr Hawkes to use the western road shoulder of Wallaby Scrub Road from his property gate as an acceleration area before entering the carriageway of Wallaby Scrub Road.

4. Low through traffic volumes on Wallaby Scrub Road and low turning volumes into No 683 do not warrant turning treatments for vehicles entering No 683.

5. A stopping sight distances from to the entrance point of No 683 are considered adequate for the posted speed limit of 80km/h.

6. Concern about the speed of vehicles on Wallaby Scrub Road in the vicinity of No 683. Recommends a request be put to the police via the local traffic committee for remedial action via enforcement of the existing 80km/h speed limit.

7. The proposal by Singleton Council:

· To set the property access gate further away from the carriageway to allow long vehicles to stand off the carriageway while the gate is operated.

· To provide driveway warning signs and to trim vegetation on Wallaby Scrub Road to the south of the access gate.

8. The proposal in “7.” above was, supported with a minor increase to the turning radius to cater for long vehicles turning to and from the subject access.

On Tuesday 5^th August 2008 the subject site was visited and the following observations were recorded:

· Sight distances tests from the ingress /egress point of “Springwood”.

· The quality and location of the sign posting of the 80 / 100 speed zone change point on Wallaby Scrub Road plus other traffic facilities between the start of the 80km/h speed zone and the existing ingress / egress point of “Springwood”.

On Wednesday the 13^th August 2008 a random speed survey was conducted at a location 140 metres south of the entrance to “Springwood”. The survey was carried out between 10.41 am and 11.45 am. . This survey indicated that the existing 80km /h speed limit was being exceeded by the majority of vehicles surveyed. The survey results are summarised in the following table:

Random Speed Survey 683Wallalby Scrub Road
Date / Time	North Bound
Wed 13.8.2008	Vehicles Surveyed: 12	12
10.41 -11.45	Vehicles Exceeding Speed Limit	8
	Range of Speeds	66.05 – 96.00 km/h
Date / Time	South Bound
Wed 13.8.2008	Vehicles Surveyed: 7	7
10.41 -11.45	Vehicles Exceeding Speed Limit	6
	Range of Speeds	67.89 – 116.12 km/h

In relation to north bound speeding vehicles on Wallaby Scrub Road improvements to the notices which introduce the speed limit may give more credibility to the 80km/h speed limit. This in turn may produce better compliance with the same speed limit.

Also the recommendation to have the Local Traffic Committee develop a strategy with the police to reduce the problem of speeding appears to be not the most practical way to treat the problem of speeding. As traffic volumes are low as indicated in the summary of the speed survey, where 23 vehicles passed through the subject section of Wallaby Scrub Road in one hour. Putting police there could be seen as a waste of resources particularly when the problem can be engineered out. Also the police solution would only be in place infrequently, whereas an engineering solution would be of a permanent nature.

By simply relocation the entrance point by around 100 metres to the south the sight distance to the south can be improved to the extent to allow safe exiting from “Springwood.” in a 100km/h environment.

The Local Traffic Committee RECOMMENDS that, to improve road safety at the entrance to No 683 Wallaby Scrub Road the following measures be taken:

1. To facilitate sight distances from the entrance the parties involved in dispute consider relocating the existing entrance point to a location to the south that has improved sight distances.

2. To facilitate large vehicle access to the subject property the parties involved in dispute consider that the existing gate or any relocated main gateway be recessed in to the subject property to allow a semi trailer sufficient room to safely stand between the edge of the carriageway and the gate while the gate is operated.

3. The existing 80km speed notices that introduce the zone be upgraded and complemented with appropriate speed zone pavement numeral.

(Akerman / Winter)

5. RURAL T JUNCTIONS FILE: RD 00026

Issue: Need for a further traffic facilities on rural T junctions with deficient sight distance along the terminating road to the through road.

Source: Council’s Traffic Technician.

On the 26th June 2008 Council staff discovered a severely damaged sight screen in Dyrring Road at the Pioneer Road / Dyrring Road junction. Upon inspection of the site sufficient evidence was observed to indicate that the sight screen had been damaged by a vehicle impact.

The offending vehicle had been travelling east on Pioneer Road and overshot the termination point of this road where it junctions with Dyrring Road to collide with the site screen opposite the terminating road (Pioneer Rd). This incident occurred in spite of a T junction warning sign in good order on Pioneer Road some 200 metres prior to its junction with Dyrring Road.

What may have contributing factor to this accident incident was the loss of sight distance to the road junction experienced by vehicles on Pioneer Road as they come into the subject road junction. This sight distance loss, results from the under vertical curve on Pioneer Road prior to the junction. This feature is presented graphically in the following figure:

This site and other similar junctions within the Singleton Local Government area have the following traffic facilities:

· A sight screen on the through road, where possible, located directly opposite the terminating road.

· A T junction warning signs on the terminating road prior to the junction.

Further highlighting of the termination of roads where deficient sight distance exists on the terminating road may be achieved by the provision of a barrier centre line on the terminating road from the road junction down the terminating road for an appropriate distance.

At this point in time the following table of road junctions are known to have degrees of defective sight distances on the terminating road that is not centre line marked:

T Junctions
Road Junction	Terminating Road	Existing Traffic Facilities
Pioneer Rd / Dyrring Rd	Pioneer Rd	Sight screen, T junction warning sign
Brig. Hammett Rd / Retreat Road	Brig Hammett Rd	T junction warning sign.

The Local Traffic Committee RECOMMENDED that, to decrease the likely incidents vehicles running through a road T junction from the terminating road, the following treatment, be adopted at existing road T junctions where a sight distance deficiency to the junction exists on the terminating road:

1. Appropriate barrier centre lines, be provided on the terminating road, to highlight the fact that a road is terminating.

2. Duplication of T junction warning signs, in size B, on the terminating road.

3. Providing the larger size of sight screen where the practicalities of the site allow the installation of such a size.

(Jenkins / Akerman)

6. LONG POINT ROAD FILE: RD 00124

Issue: Need to provide barrier centre line on existing line marking on a sight distance deficient horizontal curve Long Point Road.

Source: Council’s Traffic Technician.

The initial section of Long Point Road where it leaves the Golden Highway consists of a short straight followed by a right hand horizontal curve which is then followed by a long straight. These features are presented graphically in plan view in the following figure titled “Location Sketch Plan Long Point Road. The horizontal curve referred to above and illustrated in the figure is deficient in overtaking sight distance and the line marking needs to be amended to allow for this.

The present centre line marking around the subject curve is a separation line which in theory allows vehicle to overtake. Sight distance test was conducted from the end of the existing barrier, barrier line preceding the curve and found to be deficient for the posted speed limit of 100 km/ h. To rectify this situation the existing separation centre line commencing at the termination of the existing barrier, barrier line will require:

· Sixty metres to be converted to barrier, barrier line and then;

· A further 216 metres converted to barrier, separation line.

The Local Traffic Committee RECOMMENDS that, to deter hazardous overtaking on Long Point Road on the first horizontal curve north of the Golden Highway the:

1. Existing barrier, barrier lines, be extended by 60 metres.

2. Existing separation lines following the barrier, barrier lines extension in the above recommendation, have 216 metres converted to barrier, separation line.

(Winter / Howlett)

7. SIMPSON TERRACE FILE: RD 02570

Issue: Need for a formalised bus stop on Simpson Terrace at a proposed bus shelter site.

Source: Council’s Community Grants Project Officer.

Council is proposing with the help of the state government to provide a public transport facility (bus shelter) on the western side of Simpson Terrace, immediately north of Allen Court in the residential suburb of Darlington.

The proposed site at Darlington also coincides with the pedestrian path from the residential community on the northern side of the New England Highway. At this location the proposed bus stop can be accesses by parties who reside on the northern side of the highway as well as Darlington residents on the southern side of the highway.

From the traffic point of view the proposed site is adequate as the carriageway of Simpson Terrace is in the order of 12 metres wide at this location so a bus stopping at the kerb will not impede other through traffic.

The site is also in an area that has street lighting.

The Local Traffic Committee RECOMMENDS that, as the subject site in Simpson Terrace, for the proposed public transport facility (bus shelter), appears well suited for such a facility the facility be complemented by the provision of appropriate regulatory bus stop traffic facilities in the form of a signposted Bus Zone, as illustrated below, to prevent inappropriate on-street parking at the bus stop.

8. KIRKTON ROAD FILE: RD 00044

Issue: Request for treatment of a crest near, Rural Address No.103, Kirkton Road, approximately 4.8km from the New England Highway, to reduce its potential as a road safety hazard.

Source: Mr Sam Mackie, Trainee Engineer, Singleton Council.

An audit of Kirkton Road after recent works to bitumen seal the final section of gravel pavement revealed a deficiency in sight distance on the approaches to the subject crest.

Kirkton Road at the subject site consists of a straight piece of road in the horizontal sense while in the vertical sense it consists of an over vertical curve or crest. The subject road site in its current form has the physical and other features as tabulated below:

Feature	Data Relative To Feature
Carriageway Pavement	6.25 m wide bitumen sealed pavement
Alignment · Horiz. · Vert.	Relative straight Crest
Traffic controls	“100” km/h speed limit.
Traffic Volume	In the order of 81 vehicles per day.
Responsible Authority	This road is under the care and control of the Singleton Council
Accident Incidents	Nil

A sight distance test at the subject crest based on two vehicles approaching the crown of the crest simultaneously from opposite directions resulted in them both having to be both within 27 metres of the crown of the crest before they could see each other. If both vehicles in this situation were travelling at 100km/h (27m/s) and one was on the incorrect side of the carriageway they would collide in one second.

Methods to rectify this deficient sight distance could be:

1. Vertical realignment of the carriageway by lowering the crest.

2. Provision of traffic facilities such as centre line marking and sign posting.

Option “1” would be a long term option due to the proximity of private property vehicle access points and the scale of work required to improve sight distance. Also land acquisition may be necessary in this option. This option will bear great costs and will see a brand new pavement excavated.

For the present time option “2” presents itself as the most expedient way to treat the hazardous aspect of deficient vehicle to vehicle sight distance on the approaches to the subject crest.

The Local Traffic Committee RECOMMENDS that to reduce the potential of a head-on vehicle to vehicle conflict on Kirkton Road at the crest “near RA 103 appropriate centre line markings be provided on the approaches to the crest.

(Winter / Akerman)

3. INFORMAL AGENDA ITEMS (For Determination by the RTA)

1. NEW ENGLAND H’WAY FILE: RD 00900

DA 410 /2004

Issue: Demand for No Standing parking restrictions on the New England Highway at the Rugby League football ground in Dunolly.

Sources: Council’s Manager Parks and Facilities.

At its Corporate and Development Services Committee Meeting on the 11^th October 2004 the Council approved DA 410 / 2004, being a development application for a rugby league football complex. Approval condition “27” read as follows:

“27. PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR ACCESS- shall be denied from the New England Highway by the provision of fencing and landscape screening. The fencing shall be of sufficient height to ensure footballs do not enter the New England Highway. No standing signage shall be provided along the New England Highway frontage of the site. Full details shall be submitted to and approved by Council prior to the release of the Construction Certificate for the civil works.”

This particular report shall focus on the parking restrictions aspect of condition “27”.

In correspondence dated the 13^th September 2004 the RTA commented that:

“Appropriate fencing/ screening should be provided to ensure that footballs do not project onto the highway and spectator vehicles do not park on the highway reserve. ‘No standing’ signs may be required on the New England Highway.”

On Sunday the 3^rd of August 2008 the subject site on the highway was surveyed for a period of 30 minutes while a rugby league match was in progress. Between, 2.51 pm and 3.21 pm no vehicle pulled onto the highway verge to view the rugby league match however five vehicles did stop on the highway verges and the occupants alighted to view motor vehicles displayed for sale on the southern verge of the highway. This survey is graphically presented in the following table titled, “Vehicles Stopping on Verges New England Highway Dunolly”.

Vehicles Stopping on Verges New England Highway Dunolly
Date: Sun 3.8.2008	Verge
Time	Northern	Southern
2.51 pm – 3.06 pm	0	0
3.06 pm – 3.21 pm	3	2

It was also noted at the time of the survey that a gap in the highway verge tree vegetation allows a view of the football field from the highway.

The fear that people would use the highway verge to view rugby league matches does not appear to be substantiated and under these circumstances parking restrictions do not appear to be warranted.

The Local Traffic Committee RECOMMENDS that, as no evidence has been presented to identify that parties are viewing rugby league matches from the New England Highway verge, that abuts the rugby league ground, parking restrictions not be provided.

(Akerman / Howlett)

2. WATTLE PONDS SPEED ZONING FILE: RD 00067

RD 07510

RD 07560

RD 07570

Issue: Need for a clarification of speed limits on Pioneer Road, Brigadier Hammett Road, Morris Road and Nawaday Way

Source: Council’s Traffic Technician.

With both rural residential growth and urban growth some roads in the Wattle Ponds area lack clarity in terms of speed limits. The roads affected are Pioneer Road , Brigadier Hammett Road, Nawaday Way and Morris Road.

It is possible to enter these roads at one end under a certain speed limit and emerge at the other end into a totally different speed limit. There is no clear change point. The roads that feature or play a part in this matter are detailed in the following:

1. Table titled “Speed Zoning Wattle Ponds.”

2. Sketch plan titled “Existing Speed Zones Wattle Ponds”.

Speed Zoning Wattle Ponds
Road	Section	Posted Speed Limit
Bridgman Rd	South of northern most Gardner Cir junction	60
Bridgman Rd	North of northern most Gardner Cir junction	80
Retreat Rd	Entire length	70
Wattle Ponds Rd	Entire length	60
Brigadier Hammett Rd	Entire length	60 at north end only
Nawaday Way	Entire length	Not posted
Morris Rd	Entire length	60 at north end only
Pioneer Rd	Entire length	Not posted
Dyrring Rd	Entire length	100

This issue needed clarification and referral to the RTA who has sole authority in the allocation of speed zones. At the time of the drafting of this report correspondence on this matter was also forwarded to the RTA.

The RTA responded, advising that it would apply the following speed limits as detailed in the following table:

Proposed Speed Limits at Wattle Ponds
Street / Road	From	To	Proposed Speed Limit Km/h
Pioneer Rd	Wattle Ponds Rd	Allsop Pl	50
Pioneer Rd	Allsop Pl	Dyrring Rd	80
Wattle Ponds Rd	Bridgman Rd	Pioneer Rd	50
Wattle Ponds Rd	Pioneer Rd	Retreat Rd	Remain at 60

The Local Traffic Committee RECOMMENDS that, the clarification of speed limits on roads in the Wattle Ponds area as detailed in the RTA’s correspondence which advised of proposed new speed limits be noted.

(Jenkins / Akerman)

3. MAITLAND ROAD FILE: RD 00898

Issue: Request for segregated turning lanes for north bound traffic on Maitland Road at the York Street / Boundary Street / Maitland Road / George Street intersection.

Sources: Councillor Scott via Councillor Request Form No 1094 of 11.08. 2008.

Councillor Scott filed a request from a group of local bus drivers to have the north bound left lane on Maitland Road at York Street made an exclusive left turn only lane. It was requested that this be put into practice by appropriate pavement arrows and appropriate signs.

The desired layout of the subject north bound is illustrated below in the sketch plan titled “Segregated Traffic Lanes Maitland Rd” In making the left lane left turn only the other possible traffic movements (through traffic and right turning traffic) have to be conducted from the right hand lane. The provision of a left turn pavement arrow

and or a sign dictating that the left lane must turn left obligates drivers in the lane to which these just mention traffic facilities are applied to turn left. To disobey such a pavement arrow of sign is an offence under the “Australian Road Rules”(Rules 88 and 92).

The logic for providing this treatment is to prevent through traffic using the left lane as an overtaking lane. In some instances this manoeuvre is executed at speeds bordering on the speed limit (60 km/h) and at times these vehicles have to merge back into the through lane rapidly to avoid parked vehicles on the western side of George Street.

It must be pointed out that the right turn into Boundary Street from Maitland Road is carried out by 8.14% of the total volume of traffic heading north on Maitland Road. Under the current arrangement at the subject location where the two north bound lanes are not segregated into particular movements it is possible for through traffic to enter the left lane and pass a vehicle waiting to turn right into Boundary Street. If through motorists are restricted from doing this it most likely will cause delays and congestion on Maitland Road for through traffic. These delays would most likely be a source of complaint. The just described situation is illustrated below in the sketch plan titled “N.E.H. Traffic Movements Maitland Rd. and George St.”

Traffic volumes for various manoeuvres of the subject direction of traffic flow during the am and pm peak times are detailed in the following table:

Manoeuvres of North Bound Traffic Maitland Rd at York St
Movement	AM Peak	% of Total	PM Peak	% of Total
Right into Boundary	66	8.14	38	4.81
Straight through	644	79.50	676	85.67
Left into York	100	12.34	75	9.50
Opposing Traffic Heading South
Through from George	476		900
Data Source	PB Singleton Traffic and Parking Study and Plan. July 2007.

Also the road authority for the New England Highway, the RTA, may not permit the requested treatment due to the likely delays to north bound highway traffic.

The Local Traffic Committee RECOMMENDS that, the matter of segregating north bound New England Highway traffic on Maitland Road at York Street into one lane for left turns into York Street only and one lane for through traffic to share with right turning traffic be referred to the RTA with a request that this issue be included in a review and assessment relating to the entire operation of the subject intersection.

(Winter / Howlett)

4. INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS (For Information only)

1. BROKE FILE:

Issue: Speeding through Broke Village and the surrounding district.

Source: Ms. S. Leaf, 38 Howe Street, Brole via the police delegate.

The police delegate tabled a of correspondence, dated 23.11.2008, from Ms. Leaf.

From the correspondence it appears that Ms Leaf has been conducting a campaign against speeding through Broke village and on surrounding roads. She has been active in reporting speeding instances to the police as well as approaching local mining companies about speeding by their employees.

Ms Leaf expressed frustration about the non-cooperative attitude of most large mining companies and the level of patrolling by highway patrol police. However some credit was given to some contractors who provide services to the mining industry and to one mining company.

To be Noted.

2. RACECOURSE LANE / NEW ENGLAND H’WAY FILE:RD 00900

Issue: Proposed traffic changes at the Racecourse Lane / New England Highway Intersection as part of the rail third track project.

Source: Cr. A. Howlett.

On behalf of residents of Racecourse Lane, Neotsfield Lane and Kanona Lane, Whittingham, Councillor Howlett expressed concern about the published design of the Racecourse Lane / New England Highway intersection.

The published design contained features which would increase the degree of hazard and difficulty for entering and leaving Racecourse Lane when leaving and merging into the highway.

Cr. Howlett also expressed disappointment that an attempt to have a meeting of residents with the RTA had not eventuated.

However the Acting Manager Works advised that he had set up a meeting with the RTA and Council staff on this issue and the concerns of the Whittingham residents would be on the agenda of the Council staff attending this meeting.

To be Noted.

Meeting closed at 11.15 am

M LAUNDERS

TRAFFIC COORDINATOR

SINGLETON COUNCIL	Meeting of Singleton Council - 2 February 2009
	Manager Works Report No. 3/09

4.

Naming of Un-named Lane between Putty Road and Army Camp Road to Heuston Lane Author: Michael Launders

FILE: 01/0505

Executive Summary:

At its Operations Committee Meeting on the 3rd November 2008 the Council adopted the following recommendations in relation to naming an unnamed lane at Glenridding:

1. “The un-named lane that leaves the Putty Road near No 283 and heads in an easterly direction until it junctions with the Army Camp Road near No 194 be named Heuston Lane.

2. This road naming be implemented as per the procedures in the Roads Act 1993 which includes advertising the naming proposal for public comment.”

(minute 335/08)

Background:

See the attached copy of the original report on this matter which was presented to the Operations Committee on the 3rd November 2008 (Attachment 1).

Management Plan:

Not applicable.

Council Policy:

Not applicable.

Legislation:

Roads Act 1993 as amended (“PART 10 Division 4)

Sustainability:

Social:

Help the public who are trying to access an address in the subject lane. This may result in less frustration for the public and parties servicing addresses in the lane.

Environmental:

In describing the lane in future written reports, orders etc. two words will describe the lane rather than a long description. This will use less, resources.

Financial:

A street name at this location will assist service businesses to locate rural residences and rural work sites that front the lane. The expense to Council will be the provision and maintenance of a street name blade structure.

Consultation:

Consultation as required by the road naming process was carried out. Consultation was as presented in the following table:

Consultation Proposed Road Name Heuston Lane
Method	To / Via	Date
Correspondence	Dept of Lands	4.12.2008
Correspondence	Land Titles Office	4.12.2008
Correspondence	Aust. Postal Commission	4.12.2008
Correspondence	NSW Ambulance Service	4.12.2008
Correspondence	NSW Police	4.12.2008
Correspondence	State Emergency Service	4.12.2008
Correspondence	NSW Fire Brigades	4.12.2008
Correspondence	NSW Rural Fire Service	4.12.2008
Advertisement	Singleton Argus	14.11.2008

One response to the above consultation was received via correspondence from the Department of Lands. This correspondence advised that the Department had no objection to the proposed road naming.

Risk Management:

In emergencies a formal name for the lane will be a benefit to emergency services.

Options:

In relation to this matter there are two options:

1. Council can not proceed to carry out the final formal process in making the name official and let the status quo remain.

2. Council proceed with the final formal requirements of the naming process and make the name official.

Conclusions:

As the Council has already adopted a recommendation to name the subject road Heuston Lane and no party has objected to it, the naming should now be finalised by executing the final formal requirements to make the proposed name official.

RECOMMENDED that Council:

1. Confirm its resolution of the 3^rd November 2008 to name the un-named lane that leaves the Putty Road near No. 283 and heads in an easterly direction until it junctions with the Army Camp Road near No. 194 be as Heuston Lane.

2. Proceed with the final formal requirements in formalising the name Heuston Lane.

Gary Woodman

Brendan Behringer Brian Carter

Acting Manager Works Acting Director Operations

Attachments

AT-1View

RTC Report 11/08

5 Pages

Attachment 1	Manager Works Report No. 3/09
RTC Report 11/08	Naming of Un-named Lane between Putty Road and Army Camp Road to Heuston Lane