64 projects underway to improve community spaces

There are currently 64 projects underway across the region to improve public spaces, including amenities, sporting ground, playground, park and beach access upgrades.

Over the past months 13 projects have been completed – including the following:

• storage sheds at Bulahdelah Showground and Wingham Tigers Junior Rugby League Club,
• playgrounds at Tuncurry Rockpool and Old Bar Park,
• fish cleaning tables, dog park at Harrington,
• lighting at Wingham tennis club,
• Blackhead path and outdoor gym,
• Croki recreation area amenities and landscaping,
• Nabiac showground kiosk,
• $50,000 park furniture program; and
• $40,00 park signage program.

MidCoast Ageing Strategy The MidCoast Ageing Strategy 2022-2026 was formally endorsed. This strategy outlines actions that aim to improve the lives of people aged 65 years and older living in and visiting the MidCoast local government area. The strategy identifies key stakeholders who can assist with implementation. Land acquisition

Council resolved to progress with the acquisition of land to allow for the widening of a section of Old Bar Road between Redbank Cemetery and Metz Road.

Audit Risk and Improvement committee annual report ARIC is a committee of Council, responsible for reviewing Council’s strategic and operational plans and risks across a broad range of governance matters. The objective of the committee is to provide independent assurance and assistance to the Council on risk management, control, governance, internal audit, organisational performance and external accountability responsibilities. The committee is also to provide information to the Council for the purpose of improving the Council’s performance of its functions. There were six audits undertaken in 2020-21 including a financial health check and audits of project management, work health and safety, records management, fuel cards and motor vehicle registration and driver licensing functions. Financial statement submissions A report on the submissions received from members of the public on the 2020-21 financial statements was tabled. Two submissions were received and have been provided to the Audit Office of NSW. Based on the content no changes have been made to the reports. Roads and bridges improvements underway

The major projects reported on included the completion of the concrete roundabout at the Northern Gateway, Cundletown (work is still underway on pavement tie-ins and drainage), the roundabout at Farquhar and Primrose Street Wingham, and reconstruction of 350 metres of road Diamond Beach Road.

Work is continuing on improvements to Cowper Street Taree and Likely Street Forster.

Approximately three kilometres of road is being reconstructed at Waitui Road, Hannam Vale.

As part of the rural rehabilitation program and the regional rehabilitation program work is underway at:

• Avalon Road, Dyers Crossing
• The Bucketts Way, Allworth
• The Bucketts Way, Stony Creek
• The Lakes Way, Palm Lakes
• The Lakes Way, Boolambayte
• The Lakes Way, Wattley Hill
• The Bucketts Way, Mill Creek
• Wingham Road / Youngs Road
• The Lakes Way / Blackhead Road roundabout

Bridge renewals have been completed at:

• Parsons Bridge,
• Little Tiri Bridge,
• Killabakh Creek Bridge,
• Yarratt Road,
• Mooral Creek Bridge

Work is also expected to be completed on bridges at Curricabark Road Gloucester and Cox Bridge Caparra over the coming months.

Water and waste water improvement programs

A range of programs are underway to maintain and improve water and waste water systems.

These include renewal programs for sewer treatment plants, sewer pump station switchboards, water mains, chemical systems, and SCADA systems.

A smart meter trial is continuing in Stroud Road and has helped to identify concealed leaks.

Updates were also provided on the following projects:

• Gloucester Reservoir and associated mains
• Gloucester Sewage Treatment Plant Replacement
• Hallidays Point Sewer Pump Station no.13
• Pacific Palms Sewage Treatment Plant, Stage 1
• Hawks Nest SewageTreatment Plant
• Nabiac Water Treatment Plant upgrade and borefield expansion.

Source: https://www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/Council/Council-Meetings/Meeting-Agendas-and-Minutes/Summary-Council-meeting-23-March-2022