Upper Hunter Shire Council covered a wide-ranging agenda at Monday’s meeting, with decisions spanning renewable energy, community infrastructure, sport and local funding.
Councillors supported a notice of motion raising concerns about the New England Renewable Energy Zone, calling for a comprehensive assessment of the cumulative impacts of existing, approved and proposed renewable energy developments in the area. The motion points to potential effects on agricultural land, local roads, biodiversity, fire risk, water security, housing and the regional workforce. Council has resolved to ask the State Government to halt land acquisition activities until further economic and environmental analysis is completed, and will raise the concerns with the Premier, relevant ministers, EnergyCo and local state and federal representatives.
A masterplan for the proposed Scone Indoor Sports Facility also returned to Council following public exhibition. Of 19 community responses, ten favoured a cross-laminated timber design costed at $21.37 million. Council has endorsed the masterplan, noting the community’s preference for the timber option, though delivery will depend on securing external funding through grants and developer contributions.
Recommendations from the Aberdeen Investment Committee were also considered, proposing $186,485 from the MACH Energy Community Enhancement Fund be allocated across four projects: the Aberdeen Public School’s 2026 Intensive Swimming Program, upgraded sandbag facilities for the Aberdeen SES, the Macqueen Street Tree Renewal Program and the Aberdeen Cemetery Fencing Project. Separate funding proposals for SES facility upgrades and lighting at McKinnon Oval have been deferred pending further plans and costings.
In other business, Council rescinded a resolution that had reduced the landing fee for aircraft over 20,000 kilograms at Scone Airport to a flat $1,320, meaning the fee will now remain as set out in Council’s adopted 2026/2027 Fees and Charges. Council also resolved not to accept any tenders for the Cassilis footbridge and will call for new tenders for a redesigned structure.
