$9.7M funding boost to future proof river crossings in Dungog Shire

Dungog Mayor, Cr John Connors, has welcomed news of a significant Government funding boost that will upgrade 26 river crossings, improve capacity of culverts and replace the Shire’s last remaining local road timber bridge.

The Mayor joined Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Sam Farraway, Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell, and Councillors and senior staff, plus some happy community members on site to announce more than $9.7million to strengthen causeways, crossings and easements across the shire, including the replacement of Gresford Suspension Bridge over the Paterson River.

The funding not only means the longawaited infrastructure project will finally be realised but also signals the final piece in a highly successful program of works to replace all the Shire's local road timber bridges with new, stronger and more resilient river crossings that will ensure safer passage for all Dungog residents and visitors.

“The replacement of Gresford Suspension Bridge has been high on Council’s agenda for several years following unsuccessful grant funding applications under previous rounds of the NSW Government’s Fixing Country Bridges Program, so this is welcome news,” Cr Connors said.

The 72.3 metre bridge connecting Gresford to an isolated community to the west of Paterson River will be replaced with a raised concrete structure that provides better access to emergency vehicles and larger vehicles and primary producer markets. The project will cost $3.7M.

“There are many families on the western side of Paterson River who rely on access over the bridge. There is a river crossing nearby which is critical for larger vehicles that can’t safely use the suspension bridge; however this frequently washes away during rain events, making access to primary producers and vital local services very difficult for the residents.”

This latest funding which comes jointly from the State and Federal Governments allows us to provide upgrades to lowlevel causeways and smaller bridges that regularly over-top during rain events.

Council will use the funds to roll out its River and Floodway Crossing Improvement Program which includes upgrades to 26 river crossings from the Upper Allyn through to Vacy, Paterson, Gresford and Glen Martin to name a few as well as upgrades to the culverts under Hooke Street in the Dungog town centre.

“Our main priority has always been to advocate for critical roads and infrastructure funding, so we are able to deliver these essential components to a standard our community deserves,” Cr Connors said.

The $312.5M Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package – also known as the Betterment Fund - is a jointly funded by the federal and state governments and is designed to assist rural councils to invest in prevention, preparedness and capability development initiatives to ensure they are ready for future natural disasters. Video footage of the Gresford Suspension Bridge

Don't miss the Gresford balloon flight

Enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take flight in a hot air balloon over Gresford. Proceeds from the flight go to the Gresford beautification project.

This is a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the magnificent Gresford region followed by a Boydell sparkling wine breakfast. Flights will be operated by award-winning Balloon Aloft.

On the 20th of April meet at the Gresford Sporting Complex at approximately 5.30am. Please note that hot air ballooning is a weather dependent activity so, in the event of poor weather, the flight will be moved to a backup date.

The cost is $480 per person including breakfast. For more information please contact Jim Doyle on 0407 307 800 or David Oliver on 0414 299 555. To book your flight contact 4990 9242 or email bookings@ balloonaloft.com

In conversation with Teela Reid

Later this year Australians will be asked to vote in a referendum on a Voice to Parliament.

This Ethics Centre livestream event will be presented at the James Theatre Dungog by Paterson Allyn Williams Science & Ideas Hub in collaboration with Reconciliation Dungog on Tuesday 4 April, 7 pm - FREE admission.

What is the Voice to Parliament? Can the national conversation for constitutional recognition reconcile the truth of our nations’ past? Or have we embarked on a new era of reckoning with the risk that comes with a referendum? How do we embrace the discomfort of this moment and what does it mean – for us collectively and individually? What do we need to know to make an informed decision?

Proud Wiradjuri and Wailwan woman and lawyer, Teela Reid will join Dr Simon Longstaff AO in conversation to unpack the Voice to Parliament. Be part of this informal but urgent conversation through this live screening event from The Ethics Centre.

The Ethics Centre’s ‘In Conversation with…’ series is an intimate opportunity to delve into contemporary issues we are

Good fences make for good neighbours!

We are metal livestock fencing specialists, it lasts for 40 years and we can build nearly double the length for the cost of building a traditional hardwood post and wire fence. Need to contain cattle, horses, dogs, goats, alpacas or sheep?

Then visit our website wolfrural.com.au grappling with – and perhaps see things from a different perspective.

Free fencing advise when you get a quote with us.

Teela Reid

Teela Reid is a proud Wiradjuri and Wailwan woman, lawyer, essayist, storyteller and co-founder of @ blackfulla_bookclub, a platform that honours First Nation’s Ancestors as the original Storytellers. Currently, Teela is a Sydney-based Senior Solicitor practicing in Aboriginal Land Rights litigation and is the current Practitioner in residence at Sydney Law School. She was awarded the 2020 UNSW Young Achiever award for her contributions to the community and her advocacy as a working group leader on s51(xxvi), the Race Power, in the Constitutional dialogue process that culminated in the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

This year, Teela is the contributing editor for the Griffith Review ‘Acts of Reckoning’ Edition 2022. Teela has also written opinions published in the Sydney Morning Herald, Washington Post, The Guardian, Marie Claire and The National Indigenous Times. She was awarded 2022 Indigenous Leader at the Australian Law Awards.

Dr Simon Longstaff AO

Dr Simon Longstaff began his working life on Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory of Australia. He is proud of his kinship ties to the Anindilyakwa people. After a period studying law in Sydney and teaching in Tasmania, he pursued postgraduate studies as a Member of Magdalene College, Cambridge. In 1991, Simon commenced his work as the first Executive Director of The Ethics Centre. In 2013, he was made an officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for “distinguished service to the community through the promotion of ethical standards in governance and business, to improving corporate responsibility, and to philosophy.” Simon is an Adjunct Professor of the Australian Graduate School of Management at UNSW, a Fellow of CPA Australia, the Royal Society of NSW and the Australian Risk Policy Institute.

Anzac Day 2023

An invitation to the Community to Commemorate ANZAC Day

The Gresford RSL Sub Branch will this year conduct a Dawn Service at Paterson and a Commemoration Service at Gresford. We invite all residents to participate in the March and Service, providing an opportunity to remember their family members and friends who have served their country in all theatres of operation and paying homage to those who did not return. The Paterson Rotary Club will again assist in preparation of the Paterson Cenotaph for the Dawn Service and will provide assistance on the day as they have done for many years. The Gresford ANZAC Day March and Commemoration Service has always been very well supported by the Gresford Community Group, the Rural Fire Brigade, and the local Police. The Royal Australian Air Force Williamtown will provide a Catafalque Party for both the Dawn Service and Gresford Commemoration ceremonies.

The Dawn Service will commence with the Dawn Service March from Stockers & Partridge Garage, Paterson at 5.30 am proceeding to the Paterson Cenotaph for the Dawn Service. Following the service,

Veterans and all attendees are invited to the Paterson Tavern for a traditional mince on toast breakfast (Gold Coin donation). In 2022 the Dawn Service was very well attended by the general community and Paterson School with record numbers. Relatives of departed Veterans are encouraged to march wearing the Veterans medals on the right breast.

The Gresford ANZAC Day March will commence at Gresford Garage & Rural at 10.30 am proceeding down Durham Road and Park Street to the Gresford Cenotaph for the Commemoration Service. The 2023 ANZAC Day Service will again be supported by the local schools and the wider communities of Gresford, Paterson, Vacy and Martins Creek. Relatives of departed Veterans are encouraged to march wearing the Veterans medals on the right breast.

Following the Gresford ANZAC Day service, RSL Sub Branch members and those wishing to attend, will retire to the Gresford Bowling Club.

If anyone requires any further information or assistance please contact the Sub Branch Secretary, Glenn Wall on 0428 389 462.