Matters of State | Safety improvements for the highways
South of Mudgee
Safety improvement work has started on a four-kilometre section of road, three kilometres south of Mudgee near Riverlea Road at Apple Tree Flat on the Castlereagh Highway.
Member for Dubbo Troy Grant said the Liberals and Nationals Government is investing $1.75 million to improve safety on this section of Castlereagh Highway by reducing the likelihood and severity of cars running off the road and crashing.
“The work will include widening the road shoulders, installing and upgrading the guard rail, installing curve signs and improving drainage,” Mr Grant said.
“Property accesses and driveways will also be sealed and trees and roadside hazards will be removed within five metres of the road.
“Early work to trim trees has been completed with further work continuing on weekdays between 7am and 6pm, and between 8am and 1pm on Saturdays, weather permitting. The work is expected to be completed by 15 June.”
Changed traffic conditions will be in place during work hours. Motorists should plan their trip, allow extra travel time and follow the direction of signs and traffic control.
A reduced speed limit of 40 km/h will be in place for the safety of workers and motorists.
Roads and Maritime thanks the community and motorists for their patience while work is carried out.
For the latest traffic updates call 132 701, visit livetraffic.com or download the Live Traffic NSW App.
Interim heritage order approved for Regant theatre
An Interim Heritage Order (IHO) has been approved for Mudgee’s Regent Theatre, Member for Dubbo Troy Grant has announced.
Mr Grant said the IHO had been approved by the Minister for Heritage Gabrielle Upton and would allow time for a full assessment of the Theatre’s heritage value.
“The Regent Theatre has been a cornerstone of Mudgee’s social life for more than 80 years. This IHO will give us breathing space to consider what this building brings to the heritage of not only Mudgee, but of all NSW,” Mr Grant said.
“With its distinctive art deco style and murals from the 1940’s, the Regent Theatre is considered likely to be a rare surviving example of the more typical cinemas which dominated early twentieth century culture throughout NSW.
“The granting of the IHO means any development will now also need approval from the Heritage Council of NSW under the Heritage Act of NSW.
“The Theatre has also been nominated by the National Trust for State Heritage Listing and this assessment will occur while the IHO is in place.”
The IHO will be in place for 12 months.
Congratulations: Rylstone publican Philip Freeman who has worked with the local Chamber of Commerce to grow tourism in the area.
Mapping it out
New tourist maps will be produced showcasing whats on offer in the Kandos and Rylstone area. I was pleased to assist with a cheque of $3796 to make this a reality.
Cementa receives a huge boost
Cementa, the biennial four-day Australian contemporary arts festival in Kandos bringing together artists from urban and regional contexts, has been boosted by investment of $125,000 from the NSW Government, Member for Bathurst Paul Toole and Minister for the Arts Don Harwin announced today.
Cementa, to be held from November 21-24 this year, is one of 53 supported recipients sharing a total of $4,030,000 through Create NSW’s Arts and Cultural Organisations Program funding to help organisations bring their offering to local audiences.
"In addition to multi-year support provided across the sector, this investment will help a broad range of NSW arts and cultural organisations stage a huge variety of annual programs of events, exhibitions and performances for the State to enjoy year-round," Minister Harwin said.
"This annual funding will help the Cementa festival in Kandos improve its offering, contribute to local employment and just as importantly, increase the number of opportunities for audiences to access and enjoy arts and culture locally."
Mr Toole said he was delighted that Cementa will share in this support to help deliver another exciting 2019 program of activity.
"This support from the NSW Government is crucial and I know that getting behind Cementa will be greatly received not only by the local Kandos community, but also by visitors to the area," he said.
"Cementa brings together more than 60 artists from urban and regional destinations who exhibit video, installation, sound, performance, 2D and 3D artworks at venues across Kandos and its surrounds.
"Venues include shopfronts, vacant lots, the scout hall, local museum, community centre, golf course, people’s yards, rural properties and public parks. The works address the identity, history and current social, environmental and economic context of the town and its region."