Resources for Regions is a state government program that aims to support regional and rural communities affected by mining. It does this by addressing infrastructure constraints, and in October 2013 Council received $9 million under the program to commence Stage One of the Town Centre Revitilisation. At present the concept plans for Stage Two include: raised pedestrian crossings and footpath works, improved lighting, and the Elizabeth and John streets intersection adjustment. The need to square up this intersection to make it safer for “around 20 turning school buses” was recommended by the local traffic committee in September 2013. And, this was one of the motivating factors behind the council purchasing the former Sutton Ford site.

“With the demise of the motor vehicle dealership on the parcel of land abutted by John and Elizabeth streets (No 189 John Street) the opportunity may present itself to acquire a small parcel of land from this site for road safety purposes,” the minutes state.

Singleton Council’s acting general manager, Anthony Egan, says the $3.5million is 50% of the funding requested from Resources for Regions and as such, Council will be seeking additional funds and/or adjusting the scope to ensure the best possible outcomes for the project.

“The specifics of the treatment to the intersection will be decided and detailed in the design phase,” he says. Meanwhile, the Riverside Park project won’t be coming “soon” either as the related advertising suggests. A “funding gap based on the latest quantity survey” has been identified. Mr Egan says Council is investigating a number of possible sources for additional funding for both the Riverside Park project, and the second stage of the Town Centre upgrade.