Council Meeting Recap July 2026

Published on 28 July 2026

28 July 2026

Upper Hunter Shire Council met on Monday 27 July 2026 to consider matters relating to community funding, development applications, infrastructure delivery, financial reporting, local government advocacy and future sporting facilities across the Shire.

Aberdeen Investment Committee
Recommendations from the Aberdeen Investment Committee propose allocating $186,485 from the MACH Energy Community Enhancement Fund across four community projects:

• $26,320 for the Aberdeen Public School 2026 Intensive Swimming Program

• $10,000 for upgraded sandbag facilities for the Aberdeen SES

• $19,665 for the Macqueen Street Tree Renewal Program

• $130,500 for the Aberdeen Cemetery Fencing Project

Funding proposals for upgraded toilet, kitchen and training facilities at the Aberdeen SES unit and lighting improvements at McKinnon Oval are recommended for deferral until further plans, costings, approvals and project information are provided.

Local Government Annual Conference 
The Mayor was selected to represent Council and attend the 2026 Conference, which is being held at the WIN Sports & Entertainment Centres in Wollongong. 

The conference brings together councils from across NSW to debate motions and establish shared advocacy and policy priorities.

Local Government (General) Amendment (Meetings) Regulation 2026 & Council Advocacy Response
Council has acknowledged the new regulation effective from 26 June 2026. However Council is expressing concern regarding the prohibition on Councillors meeting with council staff prior to meetings to discuss matters that are or may become agenda items.

Council will be issuing a seperate media release in response to this item to address further concerns and would seek amendments allowing structured briefings, workshops and site inspections to continue with appropriate transparency and governance safeguards.

Scone Indoor Sporting Facility
The Scone Indoor Sports Facility Masterplan returns to Council following public exhibition. Nineteen responses were received, with Option 1 attracting the most support.

The three concepts assessed were:

• Option 1 – cross-laminated timber construction, estimated at $21.37 million

• Option 2 – steel construction, estimated at $20.15 million

• Option 3 – a reduced-scope facility, estimated at $14.47 million

Ten respondents preferred Option 1, six supported Option 2 and three selected Option 3. The proposed facility is intended to accommodate multiple sports, including basketball, indoor cricket and futsal.

The agenda recommends endorsing the masterplan while noting the community preference for Option 1 and using it to support future advocacy and grant applications. Delivery would depend on securing external funding, including grants and developer contributions. Plans for each option can be found from page 61 in the July Council Meeting Agenda.

Scone Airport Landing Fee
A rescission motion concerning the landing fee for aircraft weighing more than 20,000 kilograms was carried.

The decision rescinds Resolution 26/118 from the 29 June 2026 Ordinary Council Meeting, which reduced the landing fee for this aircraft category to a flat $1,320 including GST.

Council also amended Resolution 26/119 to remove its reference to the previously adopted change to the fees and charges. As a result, the $1,320 flat landing fee will not proceed and the fee will remain as originally listed in Council’s adopted 2026/2027 Fees and Charges.

Notice of motion New England REZ Project
Council supported a Notice of Motion raising concerns about consultation with affected landholders and the cumulative impacts of the proposed New England Renewable Energy Zone transmission project.

The adopted motion calls for a comprehensive assessment of the combined effects of existing, approved and proposed renewable energy developments. Identified concerns include impacts on agricultural land, local roads, biodiversity, fire risk, water security, housing and the regional workforce.

Council also called on the NSW Government to halt land acquisition activities until further economic and environmental analysis is completed and to review the financial viability of renewable energy projects relying on the proposed transmission infrastructure.

Council will approach the NSW Premier, relevant ministers, EnergyCo and local State and Federal representatives regarding these concerns.

Confidential Items

Provision of legal services
Council accepted a number of tenders from legal providers to be used by Council for various legal matters over the next 3 years with a 2 year extension if services are satisfactory.

Cassilis Footbridge Design & Development
Council resolved not to accept any tenders for the Cassilis footbridge and to call new tenders for a redesigned structure.

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.