Mayors Column 7 August 2026

Published on 07 August 2026

It has been another busy fortnight across the Upper Hunter, and this week in particular has given us the opportunity to recognise some of the people who help keep our Shire moving every day.

Local Government Week is always a valuable chance to look beyond the traditional idea of rates, roads and rubbish and give the community a better understanding of the many different roles and services Council provides. Some are highly visible, while others happen behind the scenes and may be roles many residents do not realise are part of local government at all.

Throughout the week, Council’s Facebook page has featured employees from different towns, teams and areas of the organisation. There are still a couple of days left to introduce a few more, and I encourage everyone to take a look and show their support. These are the people on the ground delivering services, maintaining facilities, supporting our communities and doing the day-to-day work that keeps Council functioning. We may not always agree on every decision Council makes, but there is no doubt our employees play an important role in everyday life across the Shire, and they deserve our thanks.

Applications are now open for the Goulburn River Solar Farm Community Enhancement Fund, with the current round closing on Friday 4 September 2026. Funding requests will generally range from $5,000 to $50,000, although exceptional projects that can demonstrate significant community benefit may be considered for larger amounts.

Organisations seeking higher levels of funding are encouraged to consider partnerships with other funding providers to help strengthen their proposal. Another funding round will open later in the 2026–2027 financial year, and full eligibility details are available through Council’s website: https://www.upperhunter.nsw.gov.au/Residents/Community-Services/Community-Grant-Support/Goulburn-River-Solar-Farm-Community-Enhancement-Fund

I have mentioned it previously, but with Census night now just days away, it is worth another reminder that the 2026 Census will take place on Tuesday 11 August. By now, most households should have received information in the mail explaining how to complete the Census. The information collected helps inform decisions about services, infrastructure and funding, so every response matters. If you have not received your information, or you are unsure what you need to do, visit the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census website. Language assistance is available through the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.

As Local Government Week draws to a close, I hope it has given residents a little more insight into the breadth of work carried out across Council and, importantly, the people behind it. Thank you to our staff for the contribution they make each day, and to our community for continuing to engage with the services, programs and opportunities available across the Upper Hunter.