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As information and recommendations about COVID-19 change so does the delivery and availability of our services. Should there be any changes to our operations you will be advised on this webpage, through the Upper Hunter Shire Council’s Facebook page and by signage at the site.
Please do not visit a Council or any other public location if you feel unwell, or have been overseas in the last 14 days.
Please follow the recommendations from NSW Health in regards to personal hygiene and protecting yourself and what you can and can't do
Our Administration Offices in Merriwa, Murrurundi and Scone are open the normal hours 8.30am to 4.30pm, Mondays to Fridays. As well, staff will still be available to assist you by phone on 6540 1100 or email council@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au, during normal business hours.
Customers with appointments and external contractors will be screened prior to entering buildings.
While COVID-19 restrictions are in place, Customers are encouraged to use cards / EFTPOS but cash is accepted. Council bill payments can be made as per the details on your notices. Credit card payments can be made over the phone or cheque payments by mail.
If you need a JP you can search for a JP local to your area here
Signage, hand sanitiser and physical barriers are in place to support social distancing efforts. Additionally, we ask that you follow any directions or requests given by our staff.
Scone Animal Shelter is open with social distancing arrangements enforced. You can still make an appointment to view and adopt animals from the shelter by calling 6540 1100.
Our Campground and Caravan Parks have re-opened on 1 June 2020, with restrictions. We are:
Patrons are expected to:
All services are operational and providing care to the community, we ask that all families ensure that all children who are unwell or presenting with flu like symptoms remain home and seek GP advice.
ELC and SOOSH have implemented a range of infection control measures including taking the temperatures of visitors before they enter our facilities.
Family Day Care educators continue to provide care out of the educators homes. The coordination unit continues to provide monitoring and support across these services. The Family Day Care office continues to remain operational, please contact 6540 1151 should you require assistance.
The children’s service office is available in person by appointment, and by phone at 65401 151.
Council has eased visitation restrictions at Gummun Place Hostel in accordance with the new “Industry Code for Visiting Residential Aged Care Homes During COVID-19”. The code and Government requirements, restricts onsite visitors to a maximum of one visit for each resident per day, with a maximum of two people. Visitors must also comply with further requirements, including providing evidence of current influenza vaccination. Any people requesting a visit, must ring and book in a time on 6521 7011.
Council is encouraging all families and friends to keep up contact with its residents through phone calls and online technologies, as well as through the post. Thanks to our dedicated staff at the hostel for continuing to act in the best interests of our residents.
Aberdeen, Cassilis, Merriwa, Murrurundi and Scone Libraries are open and have resumed regular hours.
Please note:
Library members are encouraged try these free online services:
The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment have produced the below linked Frequently Asked Questions regarding Planning and Assessment for Councils during COVID-19.
All public toilets in the Upper Hunter Shire are open.
Our playgrounds, barbecues and skate parks are open, use with caution. Any gatherings must be in accordance with the current health order and social distancing must be observed.
All Sporting fields are open subject to relevant restrictions to each sport. All bookings will require updated risk assessment and Covid 19 Safety Plan.
It is essential that community sports organisations have a COVID-19 safety plan in place, and are fully compliant with this plan.
NSW Health | Community Sporting and Full Training Activities
Public Swimming Pools
Scone and Merriwa are each limited to 72 visitors at a time, and Murrurundi 36 visitors.
Group bookings are limited to 20 people.
Social distancing means a 1.5 metre separation and one person per 4m2 of pool space.
Please shower and put your bathers on at home and come dressed to swim, as change rooms should not be used.
Scone Golf Course is open under restricted rules:
Remain open with restrictions. See Scone Regional Livestock Selling Centre Guidelines for Coronavirus
Our waste management facilities in Aberdeen, Cassilis, Merriwa, Murrurundi and Scone are open to residents of the Upper Hunter Shire.
Our VIC’s in Merriwa, Murrurundi and Scone are now open from 10:00am to 2:00pm, 7 days a week.
Please note:
Our Youth Centres are open.
Our Youth Workers have been hard at work creating new activities that will appear alongside the old favourites, and we continue to be here if you need the following support:
Staff at our centres will be waiting to welcome all of their existing members back and we invite any new members that would like to join them, to come along to the sessions relevant to your age, detailed here.
Call the below numbers
Scone Youth Centre – 0417 287 540
Merriwa Youth Centre – 0428 971 208
Murrurundi Youth Centre – 0438 437 082
Counselling – 0439 090 891 or
Email youthservices@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au
Follow us on Facebook
Merriwa Youth Centre
Murrurundi Youth Centre
Scone Youth Centre
Upper Hunter Youth Council
Upper Hunter Shire Council is a local government authority and provides an extensive array of services including health and building; town planning; aged care; sporting and recreational facilities; roads; libraries; waste collection; airport facilities; saleyards; public venues; water; children, youth and families and tourist information.
Upper Hunter Shire is located in the Hunter Region of NSW, approximately 250km north of Sydney. The Shire is predominantly rural and encompasses 8,100km2.
We have a COVID-19 Safety Plan and are committed to keeping you safe.
PO Box 208
Scone NSW 2337
Phone: 02 6540 1100
Fax: 02 6545 2671
council@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au
135 Liverpool Street, Scone
34-40 Vennacher Street, Merriwa
47 Mayne Street, Murrurundi
After hours emergencies for roads, bridges, animal control,
water, sewer & landfill
Phone: 02 6540 1199
Ngayan marrungku paran wiyan Wanarruwa, mirumalikan para ani parraykupa, ngatan ngayan marrung wiyan Ngarrakay paranpa yurakaykal ngatan pangaykal.
We acknowledge the Wonnarua people, traditional keepers of this land, and we pay respects to their Elders, past and present.
Translation by Aunty Sharon Edgar-Jones.