Dungog’s priorities on the agenda as Hunter mayors lobby Canberra Dungog Shire by News Of The Area - Modern Media - February 11, 2025 Mayors Digby Rayward (Dungog Shire), Daniel Watton (Cessnock), Sue Moore (Singleton), Leah Anderson (Port Stephens), Jeff Drayton (Muswellbrook Shire), and Philip Penfold (Maitland City Council) showed a united front in Canberra last week. ROADS, housing, jobs and post-mining land use were at the top of the agenda when Dungog Shire Mayor Digby Rayward joined his Hunter region counterparts in Canberra last week. Organised by the Hunter Joint Organisation Board (Hunter JO), the delegation of six mayors was on a mission to share the region’s priorities heading into the Federal Election. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au “It was a hectic two days with sixteen engagements with mostly ministers or senior advisors,” Mayor Rayward told the News Of The Area. “Our advocacy was focused on topics that were relevant to all the Hunter JO Council areas. “A strong focus was on the pending closure of the mines in the Muswellbrook and Singleton shires. “We have BHP and Glencore closing in 2023, which could result in the loss of 12,000 jobs. “While the mines are not in the Dungog LGA, we have many people in this Shire that either work directly in those mines or are employed in businesses associated with them. “There is greater urgency to plan for the impacts as we move away from coal.” Member for Lyne David Gillespie met several of the delegates to discuss mining and the key issues of global demands for coal shifts, achieving net zero targets, and transitioning to renewable energy. “So many people rely on the industry for their continued employment,” Dr Gillespie said. “Action is needed now.” Mayor Rayward said the Hunter JO asked for $20 million to, “help plan for this slow train crash that is happening”. “These dollars will go towards three projects, including developing a pilot Place Based Mine Closure Strategy.” “Other topics discussed included funding for tourism linked to the Williamtown Airport, as overseas tourists numbers will increase and we need to attract them to the great things Dungog has to offer. “I also pushed strongly for road funding support. “We got strong support for more equitable funding for small regional councils like Dungog from Minister Kristy McBain. “She clearly understood the problem, and has been successful [previously] in lobbying the Queensland Grants Commission to adjust their funding to make it equitable for smaller councils.” Fellow delegate, Port Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson, summarised the key funding priorities in a post shared to social media. These are: – $20 million for post-mining land use – Equitable funding through road funding reform – $3.85 million for Hunter Global Tourism – $49 million for an air freight cargo terminal precinct – $938 million for housing-enabling infrastructure – $8.5 million for circular economy initiatives “A shared voice is a strong voice,” Cr Anderson said. Mayor Rayward said the objective now is to ensure their advocacy is “pushed onto the NSW Grants Commission”. “Have we wasted our time in Canberra? Time will tell,” he said. “With the election coming up, let’s see what all the candidates offer, and if there is something in it for the Dungog LGA.” By Sue STEPHENSON Port Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson (left) and Dungog Shire Mayor Digby Rayward with Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain.
