The state seat of Upper Hunter is held by Nationals Michael Johnsen on the slender margin of 2 per cent – making it one of the most most marginal regional seats in NSW.

So this Thursday the NSW Government will be holding a community cabinet meeting in Singleton.

Singleton Mayor Cr Sue Moore looks forward to holding discussions with NSW Cabinet in particular to put the town’s case for a review of the Resources for Regions program 

Cr Moore wrote to Premier Gladys Berejiklian earlier this year to invite the Premier to Singleton to discuss the future of the program, especially the distribution of funds relative to the mining royalties contributed by local government areas.

“I am very much looking forward to welcoming the Premier, and the entire NSW cabinet to Singleton this week and I would hope all of the ministers have the opportunity to experience what makes Singleton a unique and important place in NSW,” Cr Moore said.

“I also hope they take the opportunity to meet with as many local residents as possible about the issues that are important to our community, in particular transport, health, education, and planning, so they can take that understanding back with them to Macquarie Street.

“We have a very successful working relationship with the NSW Government and I look forward to strengthening that bond as a result of Thursday’s visit.”

In addition to the Resources for Regions program, Cr Moore said she has requested meetings with a number of ministers next week to discuss a range of issues critical to Singleton, including Transport Minister Andrew Constance, Deputy Premier John Barilaro, and Minister for Resources and Energy and Utilities Don Harwin.

Singleton is also part of the Wine Country Alliance, which has written to the Minister for Corrections, David Elliott, regarding funding for Hunter Valley Wine Country promotion following on from the extension of Cessnock Correctional Centre.

“A key role for Council and the elected representatives is to work with all levels of government to provide the services and infrastructure our community deserves,” Cr Moore said.

“There are a number of issues that are critical to our community, notably progress on the Singleton bypass, the need for additional public transport services, provision of health services and facilities, and education, to name a few, which are all reliant on input from the State Government.

“To have all the ministers in town is a rare and valuable opportunity for them and who knows – they might even bring their chequebooks with them.”