News

Community facilities – including two new playgrounds – will be ready for play, ready for action and ready to go when the green light comes for an easing of restrictions in response to COVID-19, Singleton Council General Manager Jason Linnane has promised.

The re-opening of libraries, community centres, playgrounds, outdoor gyms and skate parks are included in the first stage of the Federal Government’s three-step plan in an easing of restrictions that were announced today.

Mr Linnane said Council was now waiting on further advice from the NSW Government.

Council’s commitment to the community during COVID-19 restrictions was to maintain the provision of essential services as much as possible in order to support residents and businesses, while acting on government requirements and advice during the pandemic.

A Community Support Package – worth an unbudgeted $1.8 million so far – has been developed to provide assistance across the Singleton local government area, with a first-stage survey open for residents and businesses to gauge a preliminary impact of the crisis.

Council crews were also at work as usual over the past few months, ensuring the safety and function of community spaces and delivering new facilities for when the time came for restrictions to lift.

“Since we’ve been under COVID-19 restrictions, we’ve seen the completion of new playgrounds at Townhead Park and Bulga, and a new skate park at Broke is due for completion by August,” Mr Linnane said.

“There have been significant impacts on our community during this period, and the way Singleton has responded to this pandemic has been remarkable.

“All the while, Council staff have been going about normal operations as best we can, to ensure that when restrictions were lifted we would be ready to go from day one.

“With the announcement by the Federal Government today, and while we wait for direction from the NSW Government, our approach means that our community facilities will be open and ready for action as soon as we have the go ahead.”

Council is also working with Belgravia on the re-opening of Lake St Clair for fishing and water recreation activities, and ready to welcome day visitors and campers when the green light comes.

“I for one can’t wait to see the facilities across our local government area being used again – in keeping with social distancing and hygiene restrictions that will be required, of course – and for people in our community to enjoy all that we have to offer across the Singleton local government area,” Mr Linnane said.

“It will be particularly special to see our littlest residents and visitors trying out the new playgrounds at Townhead Park and Bulga that have so far remained behind temporary fencing.

“We’re also sending an early invitation to regional visitors to start planning a trip to Singleton soon, to again enjoy the award-winning wineries, gourmet restaurants, cosy cafes and boutique retail that make our part of the world a great place to be.”