27/8/21
Potential COVID-19 Testing Facility – White Park, Scone
In preparation for a possible COVID-19 outbreak in the local community, Upper Hunter Shire Council, in association with the Local Emergency Management Committee, has identified White Park as the preferred location for a potential COVID-19 testing facility should the need for such a facility arise.
This is just a precautionary step at this stage and there may be no requirement to set the facility up.
White Park has been chosen due to its central location, adequate space and access to services and facilities such as toilets, off-street parking and electricity supply.
The establishment of a temporary testing facility may be required if there is evidence of COVID-19 cases in the Upper Hunter Shire LGA. As of 26 August 2021, there were no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the local community.
A traffic management plan for the testing facility has been prepared in consultation with the local Police. The plan involves the installation of temporary traffic control measures and some changes to traffic flows in the streets adjacent to White Park. Vehicles will be required to enter the facility from Hill Street and exit via Guernsey Street to minimise traffic congestion and allow for queuing within the grounds of White Park.
Despite these temporary arrangements, local residents and businesses would continue to have access to their properties.
Within the Shire, residents can currently get tested at Scone Hospital, Murrurundi Hospital Drive-through Clinic and Merriwa Multipurpose Service.
Should you have any questions in relation to these proposed arrangements, please do not hesitate to contact Mathew Pringle, Director Environmental and Community Services, on 6540 1100.
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Cultural Activity Grants open for 2021
Each year Upper Hunter Shire Council has Cultural Activity Grants (CAGs) available to assist local non-profit organisations.
In 2020, 20 local organisations shared $15,000 in funding for a range of projects ranging from $200 to $1,500 each.
Upper Hunter Shire Mayor Maurice Collison said it was great to see the variety of projects supported.
“This program increases awareness of what cultural activities are available in our shire and assists the organisations to offer them,” Cr Collison said.
The community groups and projects who received the 2020 CAGs were:
- Aberdeen Highland Games to provide software training for committee members.
- Aberdeen Local Studies Groups (Upper Hunter Museum of Rural Life) to purchase a public information board.
- Aberdeen Preschool to construct an Acknowledgement to Country sign
- Cassilis District Development Group to purchase storage boxes and display shelves for records storage and display.
- Cassilis Public School P&C to create a Yarning Circle with a visit from an indigenous elder.
- CWA Murrurundi to install a hot water system in the kitchen used by many community groups.
- King of The Ranges Stockman’s Challenge for the return of ‘Ranger Nick’ for Backyard Bush Cooking for the 2021 Festival (when it is able to be rescheduled).
- Lions Club of Murrurundi to hold a community Halloween celebration for the region.
- Main Camp Recreation Reserve Land Manager to improve the food storage and purchase a refrigerator for the kitchen.
- Murrurundi & District Historical Society to create storage for an 1860 Buckboard
- Murrurundi Arts & Crafts Council to hold workshops and skill sharing arts and craft sessions for members and the community.
- Murrurundi’s Monday’s Sewing Circle (Murrurundi Arts & Crafts Council) to hold a Community Christmas Bunting workshop.
- Murrurundi Preschool to purchase resources to enhance learning environments for students.
- Scone and District Garden Club to introduce a stone walling workshop.
- Scone & Upper Hunter Historical Society to purchase laptop to create a database for their archived collection.
- Scone Ceramic Group (Branch of Scone Arts & Crafts) to upgrade essential equipment.
- Scout Association of Australia NSW Branch, 1st Scone Scout Group to enable an outdoor afternoon of activities at Lake Liddell Recreation Grounds for scouts and guides across the Upper Hunter.
- St Mary’s Primary School Parents and Friends Association to offer students in years 3 to 6 string instrument tuition from Upper Hunter Conservatorium of Music.
- Upper Hunter Museum of Rural Life Inc. to purchase a new smart display screen to showcase historical photographs of Aberdeen and District in the town library.
- Warrah Writers to hold literary workshops onsite or via ZOOM.
To apply for a Cultural Activity Grant, please visit Council’s website upperhunter.nsw.gov.au
Applications close on Friday 3 September 2021. For further information, please contact Community Services on 6540 1100.
Maurice Collison
MAYOR
