Council Meeting Recap August 2026
Published on 01 September 2026
Upper Hunter Shire Council met on Monday 31 August 2026 to consider matters relating to regional health services, long-term financial planning, infrastructure delivery, community facilities, land-use planning and regional advocacy.
Regional health services
A Mayoral Minute raised concerns about access to specialist and surgical services for Upper Hunter residents and the future provision of maternity services at Scott Memorial Hospital in Scone.
Council resolved to write to the NSW Minister for Regional Health, the Hon. Ryan Park MP, seeking urgent assistance and calling for the retention and restoration of essential obstetric services, including antenatal, birthing and postnatal care.
The adopted motion also seeks improved access to timely specialist and surgical services, with a focus on reducing short-notice postponements and cancellations.
Council will continue working with the Hunter Joint Organisation, Hunter New England Health and local State representatives to advocate for improved regional health services. The motion also calls on the NSW Government to redirect funding allocated to firearm buybacks towards regional health services and roads.
A separate Notice of Motion concerning maternity services at Scott Memorial Hospital was withdrawn following the adoption of the broader Mayoral Minute.
Long Term Financial Plan 2026/2027 to 2035/2036
The revised Long Term Financial Plan 2026/2027 to 2035/2036 was adopted following its public exhibition.
The plan provides a 10-year projection of Council’s financial performance and includes forecasts for income, expenditure, capital works and key financial sustainability measures. It is informed by the Delivery Program and Operational Plan, together with Council’s asset management plans.
One submission was received during the exhibition period, seeking continued advocacy and grant funding for the initial sealing and widening of Cliftlands Road, Scone. No changes were made to the plan in response to the submission.
Policies for review
Draft policies covering community gardens and complaint handling were adopted.
Consideration of the Town and Village Tree Preservation and Management Policy and the Naming of Community Facilities and Commercial Benefit from those Facilities Policy was deferred to allow further advice to be provided by staff.
The existing Commercial Naming Rights and Naming of Community Facilities policies were revoked.
Regional advocacy for water and sewer infrastructure
A regional motion developed through the Hunter Joint Organisation was endorsed for submission to the 2026 Local Government NSW Annual Conference.
The motion calls for the NSW and Commonwealth governments to commit to an equal three-way funding model between federal, state and local government for improvements to council-owned water and sewer infrastructure.
This approach seeks a more sustainable way to fund major upgrades that are often beyond the financial capacity of rural and regional councils to deliver alone.
Safety improvements for Gundy Road school crossings
Council resolved to investigate options for upgrading the school crossings on Gundy Road, Scone, following concerns raised by Scone High School.
A safety assessment identified issues including limited visibility, missing access ramps and footpath connections, faded pavement markings and the location of the crossings. Options under investigation include relocating the crossings, installing compliant kerb ramps, improving signage and line marking, extending footpaths and considering conversion to pedestrian crossings.
Council will liaise with the school, Transport for NSW and the Local Traffic Forum to identify appropriate safety measures. Representations will also be made to the Member for Upper Hunter, Dave Layzell MP, regarding potential funding opportunities.
Murrurundi CWA centenary
Council formally recognised the centenary of the Murrurundi Branch of the Country Women’s Association and congratulated past and present members on achieving 100 years of service to the community.
The milestone acknowledges the Branch’s longstanding contribution to community wellbeing, local families and charitable initiatives in Murrurundi and the surrounding district.
Bulky waste collection
Council resolved not to proceed with the introduction of a year-round on-call booking system for bulky waste collection and to retain the present annual collection arrangement.
For more details on other matters discussed, please refer to the meeting agenda available on the Upper Hunter Shire Council website, or head to our YouTube channel to watch the meeting.