Singleton Council representatives came to Putty on 11 April 2026 to discuss emergency preparedness. A dozen PCA officers and community members related our experiences during times like bushfire or flood, and the two main areas of concern are roads and communications. Here are the notes (taken by Mags Sheridan).
Council introduction and summary
- They’re doing a national drive to address key risks & preparedness w/local communities
- Collecting issues and assembling map online plus these in person sessions
- Entire council region is too diverse to have one policy for all areas
- Written plans created from these meetings are needed to advocate for the funding
- Acknowledging that some people feel abandoned by council or like there’s no point in acting
- Appreciative of our detailed feedback and requests.
Roads
- Acknowledging it took too long to repair our roads and all the Putty Road repairs still in progress are also from 2022 floods.
- Red tape preventing using local contractors
- Funds now arranged via reconstruction committee now instead of transport NSW – recent response has been quicker Anna mentioned she had only received about 43% of the funding she asked for
- Danger of one road in and out now, no way to get out Commission road any more or go north + the tracks on crown land aren’t maintained.
- Locals at top end had to buy own materials and repair the road themselves to keep one road, still no way out the other way. Needs to be upgrading the infrastructure, eg not just replace the bridge that washed away with the same thing.
- Briefly counting traffic on PVR (and speed) – traffic is way up – council will send the results of those tests. New sign on box gap road for ‘advised’ speed of 45km. Section of box gap causeway meant to be replaced or sealed but nothing’s happened since survey markers installed.
- Speed limit on PVR – have requested reduce to 80 with no response. This is transport NSW responsibility.
- Why no controlled burning off in the six years since the major fire? Lots of Vegetation on PR and PVR needing to be cleared. Possibly because Putty Road now a “tourist” designation with B number instead of A and de-prioritised for maintenance. Who trims the trees along our roads – PVR is council road – part of box gap, bakers are crown so no authority.
Communication
- Phones down right now & wifi too slow to even run the speed test. Unknown what % of people have landline, very little 4G/5G, dependent on internet for any comms. Starlink for the hall running on solar would allow comms when both power and phones are out. Needs sponsorship or grant. For fire brigade they’re bringing in Starlink for the shed and the trucks and allowing
publicfire brigade members to connect during emergencies. connectivity is essential part of the risk mgmt. - Alerts get sent as early as possible (by email) and the hub house is working well. Council contacts the hub leaders.
- Floodwater from the top end takes six hours to get to the bridge so serves as early warning.
- Messaging service would be better than email for alerts but they’re very expensive. Council couldn’t even swing it for their internal comms.
- Telstra tower might have 2 days of fuel for its genny. Why not solar?
- All along Putty road – so many accidents and so little service. Whose responsibility is comms?
- For the Hall, Ken proposed to state & fed govt that they pay for the property insurance and we’d cover the liability but they said no. Marg applied for 5k for electricity.
- Grant process is ridiculous & “could be streamlined”
- Considering aircon for the halls for heatwave safety but our power wouldn’t support that anyway. 7kw system installed now updated to 10; batteries to store 18kwh
- Ken attends Combined Rural halls committee – 13 in singleton council – quarterly meetings
Misc issues
Skips are provided after floods upon request to collect damaged furniture etc
FFFV program – farm fire fighting vehicle registration – should not cost the owner money to help firies