Our Villages Our Vision - Bulga Coal€¦ · traditional homelands span the Singleton, Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter LGAs. ... • ‘Our Villages – Our Vision’ Feedback – a

Our Villages Our VisionA Future Vision for Broke, Bulga & Milbrodale

ii | Our Villages Our Vision 2012 – A Future Vision for Broke, Bulga & Milbrodale Our Villages Our Vision 2012 – A Future Vision for Broke, Bulga & Milbrodale | iii

Undertaken by Coakes Consulting Supported by Xstrata Coal

ii | Our Villages Our Vision 2012 – A Future Vision for Broke, Bulga & Milbrodale Our Villages Our Vision 2012 – A Future Vision for Broke, Bulga & Milbrodale | iii

Traditional Custodian AcknowledgementWe acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this region’s lands and waters.

We pay our respect to the Elders – past, present and future for they hold the memories, traditions, culture and hopes of the Aboriginal people.

We recognise that Aboriginal communities are strong and resilient, with different lived experiences, different attachments to the region, and have survived and grown despite invasion and dispossession.

Participant AcknowledgementWe would like to thank all the people from Broke, Bulga and Milbrodale who gave their time generously to participate in this project.

We are especially grateful for the participation of the following groups including:

• Milbrodale and Broke Public School

• Milbrodale and Broke Playgroup

• Bulga Milbrodale Progress Association

• Broke Fordwich Wine and Tourism

• Landcare

• Rural Fire Service

• Singleton Council

• Singleton Historical Society (provider of historical photos)

• NSW Department of Planning

• Hunter New England Health

• NSW Office of Environment & Heritage (OEH)

• Catchment Management Authority (CMA)

• NSW Department of Education and Communities

• NSW Department of Trade and Investment, Resources and Infrastructure (Minerals)

• Xstrata (Bulga Coal)

• Coal & Allied (Mount Thorley Warkworth)

• Wambo Coal

iv | Our Villages Our Vision 2012 – A Future Vision for Broke, Bulga & Milbrodale Our Villages Our Vision 2012 – A Future Vision for Broke, Bulga & Milbrodale | 1

Traditional Custodian Acknowledgement � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � iii

Participant Acknowledgement � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � iii

Contents

Section One: The Our Villages, Our Vision project � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �1

The Objective 2

The Method 3

The Villages 6

A History of Change: BBM 6

Today: BBM 10

Change over time: Singleton LGA 1996-2011 12

Section Two: Our Assets and Opportunities � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 13

What is ‘sense’ of community? 13

What are the key assets of the BBM villages? 13

Asset Maps 16

How do we build and sustain the BBM villages into the future? 19

Section Three: Our Visioning Concepts � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 23

Visioning Maps 23

Section Four: Next Steps � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 26

Section Five: References � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 27

Contents

iv | Our Villages Our Vision 2012 – A Future Vision for Broke, Bulga & Milbrodale Our Villages Our Vision 2012 – A Future Vision for Broke, Bulga & Milbrodale | 1

Section One: The Our Villages, Our Vision project The villages of Broke, Bulga and Milbrodale (BBM) are characterised by unique and distinct community histories and identities. Yet these villages are also connected through their location in the Hunter Valley – a place of viticulture, agriculture, and coal mining that sits within the scenic surrounds of national parks and world-heritage listed areas.

The region has a rich history. The Traditional Custodians of the Singleton region are the Wonnarua people, whose traditional homelands span the Singleton, Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter LGAs. Throughout the Hunter Valley there are a number of listed historical Aboriginal sites reflecting traditional Aboriginal life. However, more sites, places and landscapes of sacred and spiritual significance to Aboriginal peoples are virtually unknown to the general community and embody a rich cultural heritage in this region.

From the early 1800s, the construction of the Convict Trail (Putty Road) bought with it early European expedition and settlement in what soon became widely known for its fertile agricultural lands. Some of the earliest industries to establish in the area were coal mining, viticulture and dairy farming.

Today the area is renowned for its vineyards and its coalfields, its industry and agricultural pursuits, natural beauty and rural amenity – aspects that do not always co-exist comfortably. It is in this changing rural and industrial context that the area has begun to ask questions of its future. Will we be able to maintain our standard of living? Is our region healthy and robust? Are we maintaining standards of equity in our local region? Are we sustaining economic health and diversity? Are we planning effectively to ensure a sustainable future?

It is these types of questions – and the passion and commitment of local people to the region – that has encouraged the Our Villages, Our Vision project. Local communities in the region are expressing their discontent, frustration and concerns about the future of the region, particularly regarding the role of mining. It is in this context that this project has developed; as a possible way to define a shared and inclusive vision for the future.

The words and information provided in the ‘vision’ are derived from community members (long-term and new residents), government and industry, local businesses and employees, children and families – we thank all who participated in the project for their time and contribution.

The document is not a strategic plan but the commencement of a dialogue with the community as to what they value and what they would like to see in their respective communities. It is hoped that the document will be used by community members, groups, government and industry to support strategic planning and broader regional planning efforts across the Hunter Valley, in a way that acknowledges the importance of these small rural villages. We trust that it adequately reflects and represents these villages and their voices, and provides a platform for growth and change that is meaningful and substantive.

2 | Our Villages Our Vision 2012 – A Future Vision for Broke, Bulga & Milbrodale Our Villages Our Vision 2012 – A Future Vision for Broke, Bulga & Milbrodale | 3

The ObjectiveCoakes Consulting has been commissioned by Bulga Coal (Xstrata Coal) to facilitate an independent community visioning project with the villages of BBM. Understanding these communities’ common values and visions for the future will assist local council, government and industry in supporting the community to reach this vision.

The project reflects a recognition that the current approach is not working as well as it should – that there needs to be more interaction between industry and community, more respect of local traditions and heritage, more connection between industry and government, and more coordinated planning and strategic direction for the region as a whole. The aim then is to start a dialogue with community that produces a vision of the future; one that can be used by government, industry and alike to help strengthen the community moving forward.

Specifically, the objectives of the project are to:

• bring together community views for the future of the BBM villages and create momentum to realise a shared community vision;

• develop the ‘Our Villages, Our Vision’ project to support community development and future planning; and,

• coordinate with Singleton Council’s Community Strategic Plan and other regional planning efforts – e.g. the Upper Hunter Strategic Land Use Planning Process (Department of Planning, 2012) and the Upper Hunter Mining Dialogue (NSW Minerals Council, 2012).

Members of the BBM villages were invited to participate in the project along with local schools, local and state government representatives, Indigenous groups and private industry representatives, with the aim of better understanding where the community has been, what the community currently value and their vision for the future.


The Method The project was undertaken as a staged process, as detailed below:

• ‘Shutter Bugs’: a photographic project undertaken with primary school children at Milbrodale and Broke Public Schools which allowed

children to capture through the mechanism of photography the things they liked to do and see in their community.

• ‘Vox Pops’: a project designed with its own Facebook page to engage 16 – 25 year olds – to explore youth perspectives of community: what’s important to them, what’s changed in their communities, what they would like to see and do in their communities in the future.

• ‘Voices of the Past’: research and dialogue with key community members around the history of each village; where we have come from and what changes have been experienced.

• ‘Our Villages – Our Values’ Dialogue Sessions – undertaken with key community stakeholders to identify key assets across the following community capital areas – social, economic, environmental/natural, physical and human/leadership. These assets were then mapped for the BBM villages. Through this process, participants were asked to share how they value and use their community, what’s important and why, and what options exist for enhancing community values in the future.

• ‘Our Villages – Our Vision’ Feedback – a summary of draft vision documents were provided to key government, industry and community group participants to review and provide feedback. Community open day sessions were also held at Broke and Bulga general stores to provide the opportunity for community members to further develop the ideas and strategies identified as part of the visioning process.


Shutter Bugs‘Shutter Bugs’: a photographic project undertaken with primary school children at Milbrodale and Broke Public Schools allowed children to capture in photograph the things they like to do and see in their community; capturing community life from a child’s perspective.

School – “It is my school andwhere I learn. It makes me feelhappy because its good to learnat school.”

Recreation Ground Broke

– “I like playing sport there and

sometimes I like playing cricket.”

Stewart McTaggart Park – “The park is important because when we go there we can play and have fun. You can have parties there too.”


Vox Pops‘Vox Pops’: a project designed with its own Facebook page to engage 16-25 year olds to explore youth perspectives of community: what’s important to them, what’s changed in their communities, what they would like to see and do in their communities.


The Villages In the following section, the villages of BBM are described in terms of their history and their current socio-economic characteristics. A brief account of the history of these villages demonstrates the constant and evolving change these areas have experienced. The current perspective provides a snapshot of the socio-economic characteristics of the villages (where data is available1); and for Singleton and NSW in order to afford comparison and develop a holistic community profile of BBM currently.

A History of Change: BBMThe Traditional Custodians of the Singleton region are the Wonnarua people (also known as Wanaruah and Wonnaruah), whose traditional lands span the Singleton, Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter LGAs (NSW Department of Lands, 2007). James Miller (1985) provides an account of pre-European Wonnarua life in his paper ‘About the Wonnarua’, an extract from his book A Will to Win (1985). Miller describes a hunter gatherer lifestyle guided by spirituality and defined gender roles. Miller (1985) also describes the Wonnarua as heavily connected to spirits born of the dreaming. These beliefs influenced all facets of Wonnarua life including birth, death, marriage and everyday understandings of the world around them.

Throughout the Hunter Valley there are a number of listed historical Aboriginal sites reflecting traditional Aboriginal life. One of these sites, Baiame Cave (also known as Biaime Cave), is located close to Milbrodale. The cave is named after the spirit of Baiame, who is believed to have created the Hunter Valley. It is believed that prior to Baiame “there was nothing, everything was sleeping, Baiame awoke and created everything, the mountains, plains, rivers and every living thing” (WNAC, 2012). Baiame Cave thus represents a site of significant Aboriginal cultural heritage in the region. However, many more sites, places and landscapes of sacred and spiritual significance to Aboriginal peoples are virtually unknown to the general community and embody a rich cultural heritage in this region.

With European expedition from Newcastle beginning in the late 1700s, the area developed into a site of rural settlements and agricultural land uses. In particular, dairy farming, viticulture and coal mining were some of the first established industries in the region.

The timeline on the following pages illustrates a selection of key events throughout the changing history of the area.

1 ABS Census data is available for Singleton Local Government Area (LGA), and the State Suburbs (SS) of Broke (including Milbrodale) and Bulga. Census data is not available specifically for the suburb of Milbrodale due to the relatively small size of its population, but is captured in the Broke SS data. Time series data is available only for Singleton LGA.


1801 Penal colony established, but abandoned within 12 months after convict mutiny

1802 First cedar cut for export from the Hunter

1804 Second attempt at penal colony successful under Lt Menzies charge

1804 The name Newcastle first proclaimed by Governor King, but the town commonly called “King’s Town” until approximately 1830

1817 First hospital opened on site now occupied by Royal Newcastle Hospital North Wing

1818 Governor Macquarie ordered start of breakwater to join Nobbys Island to the shore to create the port

1818 Governor Macquarie allowed small number of well-behaved convicts from Newcastle to establish farms at Wallis Plains (Maitland)

1819 Disastrous Hunter floods

1819 John Howe led first expedition up the Hunter Valley sanctioned by Government but failed

1820 Second expedition attempt by Howe reached Hunter River via the route now known as Bulga Road

1820 Expedition arrived at Hunter River near Whittingham and named St Patricks Plains as it was 2 days before St Patricks Day

1820 Land grants given out to free men in Howes expedition

1823 Inland road access to Wallis Plains (now Maitland) from Sydney achieved with the opening of Howes Track

1823 Surgeon Peter Cunningham recorded his travels to along the Bulga Road as “a rugged bridle path …quite unfit to take even an empty cart by”

1823 Putty Road opened to traffic

1826 A.A. Company took over coal mining from the Government

1827 The Australian Newspaper published a letter titled: “A Visit to Wollombi Area” (Anonymous) “Those who are fond of travelling in the bush, of New South Wales...would be delighted with the romantic vale of Wollombi; and, in a few years more, when the present wildness of uncultivated nature is exchanged for the cheerful pursuits of rural industry, this little district will be one of the most pleasing in the colony”

1828 Great North Road completed

1830 George Wyndham established Australia’s first commercial shiraz vineyard

1833 Proclamation of the town of Maitland and the village of Wollombi

1837 Scone proclaimed a town

1840 Town of Murrurundi gazetted

1840 Dungog township established

1843 Dr. Henry Lindeman took his first viticultural steps in the Hunter Valley with the planting of vines at “Cawarra”

1845 First dredging of the Hunter River estuary

1847 The Hunter River Vineyard Association was formed with18 initial members

1850 First recorded strike by coal miners in the Hunter Region

1850 Edward Tyrrell and Joseph Drayton had established a vineyard at Pokolbin

1854 Formation of Hunter Region Coal Miners’ Protective Association (one of the first unions in Australia)

1860 The 1860s saw the opening of general store, butcher shop, bakery, church, school at Broke

1860 Wilkinsons vineyard established

1860 Coal was being mined closer to Singleton on the Dulwich Estate and also at Glendon, Glennies Creek

1863 Rail link from Newcastle reached Singleton

1873 Coal miners’ hours reduced from 12 to 10½ after a 6 week strike

1878 Railway line extended from Newcastle to Tamworth

Year Event

pre-1770 The area now called the Hunter Region inhabited by the Awabakal, Worimi, Wonnarua, Geawegal, Birrpai and Darkinung Aboriginal tribes

1770 Captain Cook sailing 4-5 km off shore recorded “a small clump of an island lying close to shore” (Coal Island, now known as Nobbys, Newcastle)

1793 First free immigrants arrived in the Newcastle colony

1797 Lt John Shortland discovered the waterway he named Hunter River (often called Coal River) and reported coal outcrops in the area

1799 First coal exported from the Hunter

Year Event

Voices of the Past – Timeline


1939 World War II (1939-1945) and development of heavy industry in Newcastle

1941 Singleton Army Barracks authorised by the Military Board

1941 Singleton Military Training Area was resumed during the Second World War by the Commonwealth Government of Australia for military training purposes

1942 Newcastle shelled by Japanese submarine

1942 Putty Road reconstructed to provide for modern motor traffic

1945 Putty Road proclaimed Main Road No. 503

1949 Highest recorded flood at Broke-Fordwich since European settlement – no fatalities but heavy losses to property, stock, and crops

1955 Disastrous floods in Hunter

1955 Quotas for the supply of milk were established by the NSW Milk Board to overcome a shortage of milk particularly in the winter months

1958 Glenbawn Dam officially opened

1958 The Prescotts erected a small service station in Broke

1960 Some residents considered the negative connotations linked to the Broke village name were detrimental that they lobbied, unsuccessfully, to have it changed

1960 New Broke Village Store was built to replace the former

1960 Policies aimed towards deregulation if the dairy industry resulted in a gradual decline of the smaller scale, family owned dairy farm in the 1960s

1962 NBN Television began transmission in the Hunter

1964 Broke Bridge opened – Wollombi Brook was previously crossed by flying fox

1964 Bulk milk collection became compulsory and farmers were required to meet new regulations and standards including the installation of refrigerated holding tanks

1964 Putty Road fully sealed

1965 National Service scheme – 3rd Training Battalion was raised in Singleton to train recruits

1968 Commencement of milk collection by bulk tanker by Singleton Dairy Co-op

1968 District experienced one of its worst fires in decades

1969 Largest power station in the southern hemisphere built at Liddell

1880 Improvements in road transport and technical innovations such as refrigeration and cream separators, influenced the expansion of dairying in the region during the 1880s

1886 Fort Scratchley completed

1888 Newcastle linked to Brisbane by rail

1889 Sydney-Newcastle rail line completed

1889 St Andrews Church completed in Broke

1890 Economic Depression- massive slump in wool prices led many farmers to take up alternative modes of primary production

1890 Tullochs and Elliots joined viticulture industry at Pokolbin

1893 Devastating floods in the Hunter

1895 A Government Savings Bank branch was established in the Broke Post Office

1897 Establishment of a butter factory in Singleton

1898 Broke Hall constructed as a centre for meetings, debates, addresses, and social occasions

1899 Cutting road at Darkies Creek

1900 Singleton Central Co-Op Dairy Company opened

1900 Steam operated creamery opened in Broke

1903 Bulga Police Station opened

1905 Bushfire swept across district which led to formation of volunteer bushfire brigades by land owners wanting to protect their properties

1914 World War I (1914-1918) commenced

1916 The Australian Commonwealth and State Governments devised a national repatriation scheme for returning servicemen from the First World War

1918 Edward McInerney Snr. managed to persuade a group of his fellow returning soldiers from World War I to apply for Soldier Settlement land at Broke because “they were all broke anyway!”

1920 Increase in demand for dairy products especially butter from domestic and overseas markets, established dairying the most important industry in the Broke area

1920 Jimmy Moore ran the first motorised milk truck service from the district through to the Singleton Dairy Co-op

Year EventYear Event


1989 Xstrata Coal Bulga Coal Complex established

1994 Broke Fordwich Winegrowers Association amalgamated with the Broke Fordwich Tourism Association

1998 Singleton Solar Power Farm began operation

1999 Refugees from Kosovo housed at Singleton Army Base

2000 The 146 km water pipeline to Pokolbin was established

2001 “Beast of Bulga” the biggest blaze in fire-ravaged NSW of that summer

2001 Joan McNamara received the prestigious honour of OAM for her dedication to the Broke community and her work for the Annual Broke Village Fair

2003 Underground mining commenced at Beltana

2004 Federal Transport Minister Anderson announces funding of $253 million for F3 to Branxton link road and $152 million for rail system upgrade to improve the Hunter coal chain

2007 $8 million police station completed at Muswellbrook offering a 24-hour service between Maitland and Tamworth

2010 Initiation of the Upper Hunter Mining Dialogue involving Upper Hunter coal producers and local communities in forums to identify, discuss and develop innovative solutions to cumulative mining impacts in the region

2012 Singleton Council release ‘Our Place: A Blueprint for 2022 Community Strategic Plan

2012 NSW Government release the Upper Hunter Strategic Regional Land Use Plan

1970 The loss of Australia’s main dairy export market – Britain – when they joined the European Economic Community – led to the decline of many small dairies

1970 Boom time for grape growing in Hunter Valley wine country

1972 BHP was authorised to mine in the Broke area

1973 Royal Australian Infantry Corps Museum and Infantry Centre was relocated to the Singleton Military Area

1976 Port Waratah Coal Services Coal Loader began exporting from Newcastle Port

1976 The right to mine the coal deposits in the Warkworth area north of Broke was won by an Australian, United Kingdom, and Japanese consortium

1981 Operations at Warkworth Mining and the adjoining Mount Thorley mine commenced

1982 200 people gathered at the Broke Post Office to celebrate the switch from manual to automatic telephone exchange

1982 Coal mining at the Bulga Complex began

1983 Construction of Glennies Creek Dam completed

1983 New South Wales Dairy Corporation was established

1985 Merger of the Singleton Dairy Company with the Hunter Valley Dairy Company

1987 Glenbawn Dam enlarged

1987 Singleton Dairy Corporation closed

Year Event Year Event


Demographic:

Employment:

Unemployment Industry Post School Qualifications

NSW

NSW

NSW

Single

ton

Single

ton

Single

ton

Source: ABS (2011 a,b,c,d)


Broke/

Milbrod

aleBro

ke/

Milbrod

aleBro

ke/

Milbrod

aleBulga

Bulga

Bulga

6% Healthcare & social

assistance 12%

46%

3% Mining 25%

41%

5% Mining 23%

45%

Population

NSW

Single

tonBro

ke/

Milbrod

ale Bulga

6,917,658

22,694

636

358

3% Mining 23%

Indigenous Population

NSW

Single

tonBro

ke/

Milbrod

ale Bulga

3.0%

4.0%

1.4%

7.8%

40%

Median Age

NSW

Single

tonBro

ke/

Milbrod

ale Bulga

38 35 38 43

Males/Females

NSW

Single

tonBro

ke/

Milbrod

ale Bulga

49%

51%

52.5%

51%

51%

49%

48% 49%

Today: BBMThe BBM villages are generally healthy, economically resilient and display strong signs of social well-being – demonstrated by higher than average household incomes, extensive volunteering and good levels of employment.


Social:

Health:

Volunteering

Good Health

Mobility

Smoking Alcohol Physical Inactivity Road Fatalities

NSW

NSW

Individuals with a different address 5 years ago

Rate (per 100) of adult population who smoke

Rate (per 100) of adult population who consume alcohol at high risk levels

Rate (per 100) of adult population who are physically inactive

Rate (per 100,000) deaths from road traffic injuries,

0-74 years

Proportion of adult population that volunteer

Rate (per 100) of adult population with very good / excellent self

assessed health

Single

ton

Single

tonBro

ke/

Milbrod

aleBro

ke/

Milbrod

aleBulga

Bulga

17%

34%

21%

NSW

Single

ton

67 70

35%

NSW

Single

ton

20 22

NSW

Single

ton

6 9

NSW

Single

ton

35 33

NSW

Single

ton

5 10

22%

31%

18%

23%

Income (median):


Income (Weekly)

NSW

Single

tonBro

ke/

Milbrod

ale Bulga

$1,237

$1,692

$1,537

$1,882

Housing Repayments(Monthly)

NSW

Single

tonBro

ke/

Milbrod

ale Bulga

$1,993

$2,000

$1,950

$2,200

Rent (Weekly)

NSW

Single

tonBro

ke/

Milbrod

ale Bulga

$300

$260

$265

$200


Change over time: Singleton LGA 1996-2011

3ABS Time Series Profile data is available only for Singleton LGA.

Selected Time Series Data Singleton LGA

Population Median Age Indigenous Population Unemployment Lived at different address 5 years ago

1996 19962001 2001Source: ABS (2011e)

2006 20062011 2011 1996 2001 2006 2011 1996 19962001 20012006 20062011 2011

20,1

33

31 1.9%

6.8%

42%

20,3

84

33 2.2%

6% 40%

22,0

71

23,0

19

34 35 2.6%

3.8%

4% 3% 40%

39%

Top 5 Industries of employment Singleton LGA

Mining Retail trade Public administration and safety

Accommodation and food services

Agriculture, forestry and fishing

1996 1996 1996 1996 19962001 2001 2001 2001 2001

Source: ABS (2011e)

2006 2006 2006 2006 20062011 2011 2011 2011 2011

19%

8% 11%

6% 8%16%

9% 8% 6% 7%20%

24%

10%

8% 8% 7% 6% 6% 5% 4%


Section Two: Our Assets and OpportunitiesWhat is ‘sense’ of community? Community is much more than the physical infrastructure and services in a given place—it is made up of various connections and persons sharing common interests, goals, bonds and a sense of belonging. Throughout the visioning process, it became clear that the BBM villages share an enduring sense of community. Some of the key identified values of the BBM community are presented visually below. They display a generosity and strength of spirit – in their community’s activities, fund-raising, volunteering and how they work together – that needs to be cherished and valued. It is a key aim of this project to ensure that these communities thrive as much, or more than the buildings, infrastructure, roads and services that make up the villages.

What are the key assets of the BBM villages? This document aims to help guide planning, development and strategy in the BBM villages. In order to ensure that the community has a say in this planning, a process of assets mapping was undertaken with key groups in the community. The aim of this exercise was to help communities identify those assets that are of most value to the community – ones they would like to see developed, maintained and/or renewed. To aid in the analysis of this data, we have divided the assets into five capital areas: economic, social/community, recreational, physical and natural (as follows). This is based on the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework which considers how certain assets or capitals indicate community needs and strengths (Coakes and Sadler 2011).

14 | Our Villages Our Vision 2012 – A Future Vision for Broke, Bulga & Milbrodale

Viticulture“We wish to be able to maintain the area as a highly prized wine destination in its own right, rather than the outer suburbs of Pokolbin.”

“We appreciate that Pokolbin has done a lot to publicise ‘The Hunter Valley’ as a premium wine destination, but their mentality is generally to keep all the business within a couple of kilometres.”

“Generally speaking, the Broke area cellar doors would welcome more midweek and weekend visitation of self-drive independent visitors.”

“The vineyards bring sustainable income and jobs, as well as long term investment from tourism and visitors.”

“The vineyards offer a great tourist attraction and host some great events.”

“Vineyards bring in money and more people to the area.”

Tourism“We need to protect and expand the area as a gateway to the National Parks.”

“(McNamara Park) park is well utilised by tourists.”

“(McNamara Park) brings visitors to the area for low key holidays – no crowds.”

“(Community events) are great to attract tourists and day trippers.”

FARMING

SINGLETON MILITARY BASE

VITICULTURE

BROKE VILLAGE STORE

COCKFIGHTER CREEK TAVERN

MINING

BULGA ROADHOUSE CAFE

McNAMARA PARK

YENGO NATIONAL PARK

EconomicA community’s economic assets include a range of indicators such as industry and employment, workforce participation and income. The key economic assets identified for the BBM villages included the general industries of mining, viticulture and dairy farming.

The Singleton LGA has large amounts of prime alluvial areas and rural land utilised for agriculture. The most active forms of agriculture in the area are beef cattle grazing, dairying, viticulture, horticulture and equine workings (DoP, 2011). The Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s most famous wine-growing regions, with the industry producing 39 million litres of wine annually, valued at $270 million. Furthermore, 2.8 million tourists visit the wine-growing area each year, generating over $560 million worth of tourism trade in the region (HVWIA, 2011), which includes the Broke Fordwich area.

Tourism was frequently identified to be of current economic importance to the area, but also an industry that needed further growth, support and development to realise the potential offered by the natural and social / recreational assets of the BBM area. Participants also identified the local services provided by the Bulga and Broke general stores and the Cockfighter Creek Tavern as important to the economic assets of the area.

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All locations are approximate.

Farming“It’s important because it makes us money.”

“We don’t want to be touched by non-rural industry.”

Singleton Military Base“Source of local employment opportunities.”

Mining“Close to mine for work.”

“Employment of locals in the mines is important – to keep living in the area economically viable.”

“Mines are a good source of local employment opportunities.”

Local businessBroke Village Store “A good service point and meeting place.”

Bulga Roadhouse Café “Vital to the community and for tourists and visitors passing through.”

Cockfighter Creek Tavern “Provides a great place for locals and visitors to eat, drink and socialise.”

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Broke Village Fair “Biggest event of the year”Little ItalySpirit of the VineOff-Road ClassicTuff Trucks

Community Meeting Places and ServicesBroke Hall“Broke hall gets used regularly. It is a great place for meetings, childcare and other activities.”

Bulga Community Hall“A place to get together – to foster community values.”

Broke Cemetery“Historic – important to the community.”“It is important because it makes you remember after people. People can come and see you..”*

Broke Churches“It is important for people to be able to go and don’t have to travel far.”

Bulga Church“Only one in Bulga. It’s for everyone, not just one denomination. It has historical significance – built in 1888. It is available for the community for weddings, baptisms, funeral, burials.”

War Memorial“Very popular for picnickers, tourists, ANZAC services.”

Broke Village Store “A good meeting place and to get information.”

“Handy for lunch and dinner and getting beer for the husband.”

Bulga Roadhouse Cafe “Shop with fuel, food, local newspapers and information on the area. We are 25km from Singleton so this is important.”

“Great for forgotten goods or takeaway”

Cockfighter Creek Tavern“A central meeting place, for friends and Friday night raffles.”“Great for social gatherings and meals.”“Good place to meet with friends. It often has live entertainment, regular raffles, fund raising events.”“A great place for people to meet. It is the local news hub for births, deaths and marriages!”

Broke Public School“Kids seem to love it! The school always looks neat and tidy.”“The school brings people into the community.”“The school is a hub for the community.”“The schools are well resourced in the area, particularly from industry.”

Milbrodale Public School“It is my school and where I learn. It makes me feel happy because its good to learn at school.” *

“Education has been here since 1921. It’s a great building.”

“That’s where we are learning. I like to play with my friends.” *

Bulga Rural Fire Service and Station“Vital service and community meeting place.”

Broke Fire Station“The fire shed is important becasue they not only attend fires and motor vehicle accidents, but it is also a place for community gatherings.”

Sense of Identity (Bulga)Spirit“The community want to be able to do what they came here to do – have a quiet lifestyle and enjoy a strong sense of community.”

“People make a community by helping one another and volunteering to help the community groups.”

Rural Amenity“The quiet lifestyle is a key value of the local community – they are trying not to lose those qualities.”“Our children and grandchildren are able to come and enjoy the different lifestyle to the city.”

Place“Our home is not just for us, but the whole family: children, grandchildren. We really value this place and see it as part of their future.”

Social/communitySocial/community assets include a range of tangible community infrastructure and more intangible connections to place and people.

There are many social and community assets identified as valued parts of the BBM villages – community events, community meeting places and services, places of historic significance, and indigenous culture and heritage.

The sense of community was also commonly identified as a valued feature of the villages, in particular the rural amenity and natural beauty of the area. Many participants felt fearful about the impacts of encroaching mining activities on this sense of community and rural amenity in the area, and on the sustainability of these small rural villages.

The community spirit – sharing, volunteering, togetherness – and sense of place of the area was also emphasised by participants, particularly the importance of home, family and friends.

*Quotes from primary school children (Photovoice Project).


BROKE VILLAGE FAIRBROKE HALLBROKE VILLAGE STORE

BROKE PUBLIC SCHOOL

BULGA RURAL FIRE SERVICE & STATION

BULGA COMMUNITY HALLBULGA ROADHOUSE CAFE

BROKE CEMETERY

BROKE CHURCH

BULGA CHURCH

WAR MEMORIALBROKE FIRE STATIONYENGO NATIONAL PARK

BAIAME CAVE

BULGA BRIDGE

CHARLTON ROAD

WALLABY SCRUB ROAD

BROKE BRIDGE

MT LEONARD

SENSE OF IDENTITY (MILBRODALE)

SENSE OF IDENTITY (BULGA)

COCKFIGHTER CREEK TAVERN

MILBRODALE PUBLIC SCHOOL

SENSE OF IDENTITY (BROKE)

WOLLOMBI BROOK (COCKFIGHTER CREEK)

Social/Community Asset MapSocial/Community Asset Map

*Quotes from primary school children ( Photovoice Project). All locations are approximate.*Quotes from primary school children ( Photovoice Project). All locations are approximate.

CONVICT TRAIL

Sense of Identity (Broke)Spirit“This is the tranquil side of the valley. The village atmosphere provides the delineation between villages of Broke and Pokolbin.”

“A lot of people move to the area for the community values and village atmosphere.”

“When you need to come together and raise funds for any projects they seem to do it.”

Rural Amenity“I love its beauty and how quiet it is – hopefully it stays this way.”

“Broke has a unique landscape, scale and ambience.”

“Country lifestyle is great – the peace and quiet, to enjoy family and friends.”

Place“It’s a great place to live – close to work, the mines, and close to decent restaurants.”

Sense of Identity (Milbrodale)Spirit“A fairly close knit community which likes to be well informed.”

“The unity of the community is a strength in itself”

Rural Amenity“The community values the ambience.”

Place“It’s our home. For family, friends, farming and work, and driving, walking, biking”

*Quotes from primary school children (Photovoice Project). All locations are approximate.

Places of Historic SignificanceHistorical Sites – Convict Trail“Much of the history of the area starts with the convict trail. It was also a cattle route.”

Historical Sites – Mount Leonard

Historical Sites – Buildings“Many [buildings] date back to settlement days.”

Wollombi Brook (Cockfighter Creek) “Cockfighters Creek (Wollombi Brook was named after this horse) has been with us since 1820 when this area was discovered.”

Broke Bridge“It’s an iconic bridge. It makes Broke stand out as people can identify the bridge with Broke.”

Bulga Bridge“It has great community and historical value. It is 100 years old.”

Charlton Road“Important thoroughfare. Historically significant.”

Wallaby Scrub Road“The road is heritage listed. It is vital to the local community, workers and tourists.”

“If it closed, it would lessen the appeal of the area due to difficulty of access.”

Indigenous Culture and HeritageYengo National Park “Aboriginal significant sites are found throughout the area.”

Baiame Cave “Very significant site of the dreamtime.”

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BUSHWALKING

HORSERIDING

BIKE RIDING

FISHING

4WD

MOTOR BIKING

SWIMMING

BROKE HALL

BULGA COMMUNITY HALL

STEWART MCTAGGART PARK

WOLLEMI NATIONAL PARK

RECREATION GROUND BULGA

CALIFORNIA TRAIL

MCNAMARA PARK

PLAYGROUND/OVAL (BROKE PUBLIC SCHOOL)

RECREATION GROUND BROKE

PLAYGROUND/OVAL (MILBRODALE PUBLIC SCHOOL)

WOLLOMBI BROOK (COCKFIGHTER CREEK)

*Quotes from primary school children ( Photovoice Project). All locations are approximate.*Quotes from primary school children ( Photovoice Project). All locations are approximate.


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Recreational

Recreational assets include infrastructure and facilities used for sport and recreation activities.

The local halls, parks and playgrounds all feature as important recreational assets for the BBM villages and are used for a range of sporting, recreational and social activities. Participants also identified the importance of activities such as horse riding, biking, bush walking as part of their everyday activities and in attracting tourism and visitors to the area.

Recreational FacilitiesBulga Community Hall“Community meeting place, dances, annual Christmas party.”“Used for dances, Chrismas party, school concerts, presentation nights, weddings, parties, dances, discos, meetings, fundraisers.”

Broke Hall“Broke Hall is a very good place for meetings, childcare and karate.”“Playgroup, preschool, karate, concerts.”“It makes me feel good when we have discos in the Broke Hall because they’re fun and I get to see my friends.”*

Parks / Recreation AreasRecreation Ground Bulga“Very popular for picnickers, tourists, children’s parties, meetings, Anzac services.”

Stewart McTaggart Park “It’s just something all the kids in Broke love. The whole park is just really awesome.”“The park is important because when we go there we can play and have fun. You can have parties there too.”

Wollemi National Park“Important for walking, encouraging diverse wildlife and vegetation. Needs to be protected.”“Important to maintain vehicle access for public recreation in the park.”

Wollombi Brook (Cockfighter Creek)“Good spot to camp and fish.”“The camping sites along the Brook are important for visitors to the region.”

California Trail“Great to walk, drive and ride with family and friends.”“Good for tourism, has terrific lookouts over Milbrodale and Bulga, and up to Muswellbrook.”

Recreation Ground Broke“A place for families and kids to go and play. It has picnic grounds.”“It helps to get tourists to come and stay to promote the village.”“I like playing sport there and sometimes I like playing cricket.”*

McNamara Park“It is well utilised by tourists and has toilet available.”“Kids love it! Lots of kids use it, travellers us the picnic tables a lot.”

Playground/Oval (Milbrodale Public School)“That’s where I like playing. I like playing on the monkey bars. I like it all.”*“The is a fun place to be. It’s bigger than my old school. The playground is a fun place to be. I like the trees and gardens they are beautiful. It makes the school look beautiful.”*

Playground/Oval (Broke Public School)“The playground is lots of fun and you can swing on the monkey bars. It makes me feel happy, happy, happy. There’s all different types of stuff to play with your friends.”*“You can have fun. You get to see all your friends playing there.”*“The main value is in the recreational areas of the school.”

Sport / Recreation ActivitiesBushwalking“Can go bushwalking through to Pokolbin.”

Horseriding “There’s access to trails up in the hills behind Milbrodale for horse riding.”

4WD “Good areas in parks for 4WD access.”

Bike Riding “People ride to school.”*“We do bike rides around Broke.”

Fishing “Wollombi Brook (Cockfighter Creek) can be good to take the kids fishing.”

Motor Biking “We often ride mountain bikes and motorcycles in the national park and at Milbrodale.”“It is a good escape on the motorbike and for people visiting from Sydney.”

Swimming “Ambience of the river for swimming.”

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Physical

The concept of physical capital is related to infrastructure and services and includes public, built and community infrastructure. A sound level of physical capital is important in optimising all key areas of community well-being.

The physical assets map lists those facilities and services valued by the local community and includes transport infrastructure, schools, recreational facilities and historical landmarks and sites.


BROKE VILLAGE STOREFIRE BRIGADE

FIRE BRIGADE

CONVICT TRAIL

McNAMARA PARK

YENGO NATIONAL PARK

HERBERT PARK

BULGA SCOUT HALL

FLYING FOX

STEWART McTAGGART PARK

WOLLEMI NATIONAL PARK

CALIFORNIA TRAIL (JERRYS PLAINS TO BULGA)

BULGA RECREATION GROUND

BROKE RECREATION GROUND

COCKFIGHTER CREEK TAVERNBULGA ROADHOUSE CAFEBULGA COMMUNITY HALL

BROKE CHURCHBROKE PUBLIC SCHOOL

MILBRODALE PUBLIC SCHOOL

BULGA CHURCH

BULGA BRIDGE

CHARLTON ROAD

WALLABY SCRUB ROAD

PUTTY ROAD

BULGA BRIDGE

BROKE CEMETERY

BULGA CEMETERY

WAR MEMORIAL

MT LEONARD

BROKE BRIDGE

BROKE HALL

Community ServicesCommunity Faci litiesRecreation Areas / Faci litiesPlaces of Historic SignificanceTranspor t and InfrastructureSchools / Education

Physical Asset MapPhysical Asset Map


How do we build and sustain the BBM villages into the future? Central to the visioning process is the development of opportunities and possibilities for the future of the BBM villages. As part of the process, we undertook opportunities mapping with community representatives to come up with ideas for renewal, potential strategies for further development and key focus areas to build on in a sustainable way.

In parallel to this process, Singleton Council has recently released a draft Community Strategic Plan: ‘Our Place: A Blue Print for 2022’. The Plan focuses on four key planning areas: social, environmental, economic and governance. We have used these same focus areas to structure the opportunities identified as part of the visioning process and listed in the following table, to afford alignment with the broader Singleton strategic planning process.

Document Version 1.0March 2012

Singleton Community Strategic Plan

SocialCommunity Services / Infrastructure Community ideas

Improved service delivery and outreach to villages Roaming GP and specialist health services provided at appropriate local community service points in Broke, Bulga, Milbrodale e.g. local halls or schools

Schools as community hubs Local schools to host / facilitate events, markets, services etc. as central meeting points for community

Mobile preschool Mobile preschool to visit local ‘schools as community hubs’ e.g. Milbrodale and Broke Public School

Improved provision of utilities and services Gas connection throughout Broke

Provision of public phones and roadside emergency telephones at key points along the Putty Road

Road maintenance, upgrade and safety measures Upgrade of Putty Rd, Broke Rd, Charlton Rd, Wallaby Scrub Rd including traffic management and safety measures, ongoing maintenance and clean-up

Improved local transport ‘Arrive safe’ work bus to transport mine employees to and from local mine sites

Local bus service to connect villages to key services and regional centres e.g. Singleton, Cessnock

Community involvement and volunteering Mining company support for greater participation of mining workforce in local community / volunteer groups


Community events Community ideas

Outdoor amphitheatre Amphitheatre for events including movies in the park, music concerts, plays, opera, ballet – designed on a more intimate scale than other Hunter Valley venues, located in an accessible area and with scenic surroundings

Music festival Attract a music festival for youth to be held at amphitheatre (described above)

Farmers markets Markets to be held at local 'schools as community hubs' e.g. Broke and Milbrodale Public School

Local sports competitions Develop and promote local village and regional sports competitions using local facilities e.g. tennis, football, cricket

Recreation Community ideas

Walking / Biking track Safe dual lane walk / cycleway linking Broke, Bulga and Milbrodale:• Dedicated track separated safely from road traffic and including a horse-friendly trail• Includes greening and general beautification of track• Includes where possible key local sites, tourist attractions and places of historic significance• To also be used for tours, educational tours, historic tours, horse-back tours• Includes detailed signposting of sites of Aboriginal and European significance developed through an appropriate cultural heritage consultation and research process

Skate Park Skate park to provide more youth facilities e.g. located at existing recreation area in either Broke or Bulga

Broke Recreation Ground Upgrade – particularly tennis court, netball court, cricket grounds, playground area, picnic tables and shelter

Bulga Recreation Area Upgrade – particularly toilets, trees and shelter, playground, tennis courts, clubhouse

Community Spaces Community ideas

Upgrade and beautification of community halls Broke – general upgradeBulga – air-conditioning, fencing, disabled toilets

Broke Cemetery Maintenance required

Bulga Church Maintenance required – particularly repairs to the church building and general maintenance of the surrounding graveyard and gravestones

Bulga Memorial Gates Maintenance required

Bulga Scout Hall Maintenance required

Bulga Bridge Maintenance and repairs required – important part of local heritage

RFS Bulga Upgrade of RFS control centre, investigate access to mine weather data, investigate access to landing strip

Social (continued)


EconomicGeneral Community ideas

Economic development and diversification Further development of local industry sector alliances and partnerships including between local mining companies

Trust fund Future trust fund for the region sponsored by mining companies to compensate for current mining impacts and to support future planning and investment for the region post-mining (e.g. investment in alternative energies, R&D)

Tourism Community ideas

Main street and streetscape beautification Entrance statements for each village – promoting village characteristics and key sitesBeautification of main streetscape in Broke and Bulga – including greening, road realignment, improvement of public facilities, parks etc.Signposting of key local heritage, recreation, and tourist sites

Tourist facilities Development of ‘McNamara Park’ (existing camping area) into a dedicated camping ground – including paid entry, powered camp sites, coin-operated showers, upgrade of toilet facilities, tables / chairs and access to Wollombi BrookDevelopment of the ‘Cockfighter Rest Area’ (existing reserve area near Bulga Bridge) – including parking, toilet facilities, playground, shelter and tables / chairs, general clean up, greening, signage and access to Wollombi BrookNational parks – improved access where possible, signage, camping facilities, walking, bike and horse riding trailsVisitors Centre Broke – possibility to redevelop existing historic building as a Visitors Centre, need to include resources for ongoing staffing of the centre

Cultural heritage tourism ‘Convict trail’ signposted and developed – including historical artefacts and sculpturesSchool-based heritage education programs – including site tours for school childrenHeritage tours / day trips – possibility to combine with local vineyard toursAboriginal Education Centre – developed through an appropriate consultation and research process with Aboriginal communities to document the rich Aboriginal heritage of the local area including Baiame Cave

Mine tourism Mine tours – including viewing platforms and displays at key points around local mine sitesIntegrated ‘Mine-Wine’ tours to showcase regional industry specialisation

Local Business Development Community ideas

Developing local business opportunities Diversification and upgrade of Broke business precinct including upgrade of Broke Store, new pub for Broke and inclusion on local toursPreserve and support existing business precinct of Bulga including tavern, service station / general store and inclusion on local toursPromotion of wedding tourism e.g. use of local historic churches for weddings, with receptions held at local vineyardsSupport for agricultural enterprises – orange farms, mushroom farm, vineyards through inclusion in tours, and at local farmers markets


Environmental / NaturalGeneral Community ideas

Wollombi Brook Clean up, along and in Wollombi Brook to facilitate tourism, camping, swimming, fishing

Air Quality Monitoring Network Expand monitoring sites included in the Upper Hunter Air Quality Monitoring Network

Local environmental partnerships and programs Involvement of local environmental groups, schools, mining companies and employees to support appropriate land management education and practices

Coordinated impact management alliance Coordination of mining impact management via an alliance between local mines in the area to address key impacts of noise, dust, lighting and visual amenity – with the aim of reducing overall cumulative impacts and providing a more coordinated, regional level response to impacts across the mining industry sector

GovernanceGeneral Community ideas

Strategic land use zoning Clear delineation and protection of existing industry critical clusters (i.e. viticulture, equine) as defined in the NSW Government’s Strategic Regional Land Use Policy (2012)

Strategic post-mining land use planning Strategic planning undertaken through a partnership between local mining companies, Singleton Council and state government with involvement from community and business around final post-mining land use (considering key issues such as rehabilitation, industry and employment, agricultural lands, final voids) – with the aim of producing a Strategic Post-Mining Land use Plan for the Singleton LGA

Source: Coakes Consulting (2012)


Broke - Bulga - Milbrodale Trail

• Safe dual lane walk / cycleway linking Broke, Bulga and Milbrodale

• Aboriginal and European heritage signage – to be developed through an appropriate cultural heritage consultation and research process

• Greening and general beautification

more icons...

TO CESSNOCKTO CESSNOCK

BULGA TOWN HISTORICAL SITES

NATIONAL PARK ACCESS

MT LEONARD


SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE TO TOWNS

BBM WALK/CYCLEWAY

BROKE TOWN HISTORICAL SITES

MONKEY PLACE CREEKTO SINGLETON

TO SINGLETON

TO CESSNOCK


SINGLETON MILITARY BASE

MINING

Visioning Map OverviewVisioning Map Overview

Section Three: Our Visioning ConceptsThe visioning concepts presented and mapped here have been drawn together from consultation with a range of community, government and industry participants, through review of secondary materials and planning documents (e.g. Singleton’s Community Strategic Plan; Strategic Regional Land Use Policy NSW) and through a final round of feedback and comments provided by visioning participants.

These concepts provide the foundations for a future vision for BBM and invite involvement from a range of industry, government, environment and community group partners.


Milbrodale Village

Broke• Village beautification and development: entry

statements, beautification of entry roads (e.g. greening, signage), upgrade of roads (including traffic management measures), upgrade and maintenance of existing facilities (e.g. recreation facilities and churches)

• Upgrade of Broke Hall

• Amphitheatre with tiered seating for mid-range events such as concerts, opera, events, open air movies. The tiers are to include enough space for picnickers

• Promotion of sports facilities: new skate park and associated competitions, upgrade and development of existing sports facilities and competitions

Milbrodale• Milbrodale ‘schools as community hubs’, to host /

facilitate: – Aboriginal Education Centre: developed through

an appropriate research and consultation process with Aboriginal communities to document the rich Aboriginal history of the local area

– Events: including a farmers market, and local sports competitions

– Services: mobile preschool, roaming health services

• Broke ‘schools as community hubs’, to host / facilitate – Events: including a farmers market, and

local sports competitions – Services: roaming health services

• Broke Visitors Centre: centre providing tourist information, maps, accommodation, events and activities information

• Camping ground: development of McNamara Park camping area into a dedicated camping ground – i.e. paid entry, powered camping sites, coin-operated showers, upgrade of toilet facilities, tables / chairs and access to Wollombi Brook

Broke Village

BROKE SCHOOL AS COMMUNITY HUB

IMPROVED CAMPING FACILITIES

REPAIR & MAINTENANCE OF BUILDINGS

AMPHITHEATRE FOR CONCERTS

IMPROVED RECREATION FACILITIES & USE

ENTRY STATEMENT

ENTRY STATEMENT

ENTRY STATEMENT

VISITOR CENTRE

SKATE PARK

BBM WALK/CYCLE WAY

BBM WALK/CYCLE WAY

Broke Village

MILBRODALE SCHOOL AS COMMUNITY HUB

BAIAME CAVE AND ABORIGINAL EDUCATION CENTRE AND SCHOOL

TREES

BROKE SCHOOL AS COMMUNITY HUB

IMPROVED CAMPING FACILITIES

REPAIR & MAINTENANCEOF CHURCHES AND BROKE HALL

AMPHITHEATRE FOR CONCERTS


VILLAGE ENTRY STATEMENT



VISITOR CENTRE

SKATE PARK

BROKE-BULGA-MILBRODALEWALK AND CYCLEWAY

Broke Village

MILBRODALE SCHOOL AS COMMUNITY HUB

BAIAME CAVE AND ABORIGINAL EDUCATION CENTRE AND SCHOOL

ROAD BEAUTIFICATIONAND GREENING

BROKE-BULGA-MILBRODALEWALK AND CYCLEWAY-CONNECTING THE VILLAGES


Bulga Village National Parks Wildlife Service (near Bulga)

UPGRADE AND MAINTENANCE OF BULGA HALL


VILLAGE ENTRYSTATEMENT

BULGA BRIDGE (HISTORIC SITE)

THE COCKFIGHTER REST AREA

RESTORATION OF CEMETERY


‒ playground ‒ shade ‒ picnic ‒ riverfront

access

‒ parking

‒ toilet facilities ‒ trees

VISITOR CENTRE

EDUCATION CENTRE

CREATE NATIONAL PARK ACCESS ROUTE

SIGNAGE & BEAUTIFICATIONPARKING

BROKE-BULGA-MILBRODALEWALK AND CYCLEWAY-CONNECTING THE VILLAGES

ROAD BEAUTIFICATIONAND GREENING

Bulga Village National Parks Wildlife Service (near Bulga)

UPGRADE AND MAINTENANCE OF BULGA HALL

ENTRY STATEMENT

ENTRY STATEMENT

BULGA BRIDGE (HISTORIC SITE)

WOLLOMBI BROOK RECREATION AREA

RESTORATION OF CEMETERY

BBM WALK/CYCLEWAY


‒ playground ‒ shade ‒ picnic ‒ riverfront

access

‒ parking

‒ toilet facilities ‒ trees

VISITOR CENTRE

EDUCATION CENTRE

CREATE NATIONAL PARK ACCESS ROUTE

SIGNAGE & BEAUTIFICATIONPARKING

Bulga • Village beautification: entry statements, beautification of entry roads (e.g. greening and signage), upgrade and maintenance of existing facilities

(e.g. restoration of cemetery, Bulga hall upgrade, upgrade of Bulga Recreation Area and maintenance of Bulga Bridge)

• The Cockfighter Rest Area: development of existing reserve area near Bulga Bridge to include parking, toilet facilities, playground, shelter and tables / chairs, general clean up, greening and access to Wollombi Brook

• National Park and Wildlife Service (NPWS) - beatification of entry, upgrade of visitors centre including parking areas, improved access to national parks where possible.


Section Four: Next StepsThis document provides a snapshot of BBM’s past, present and potential futures. The visions displayed here have been designed in a participatory fashion with the community in order to help envisage and create pathways forward for the BBM villages in ways that maintain the health, well-being and sustainability of these areas.

We trust that the conversations, programs and partnerships that emerge as a result of these ideas provide a way forward for realising the full potential of the Broke, Bulga and Milbrodale villages and that this report has provided a platform from which this dialogue can commence.


Section Five: ReferencesAustralian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) (2011a). Basic Community Profile, Bulga, NSW (State Suburb), cat. No. 2001.0. ABS: Canberra, ACT.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) (2011b). Basic Community Profile, Broke, NSW (State Suburb), cat. No. 2001.0. ABS: Canberra, ACT.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) (2011c). Basic Community Profile, Singleton, NSW (Local Government Area), cat. No. 2001.0. ABS: Canberra, ACT.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (2011d). Basic Community Profile, New South Wales (Statistical Region), cat. No. 2001.0. ABS: Canberra, ACT.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (2011e). Time Series Profile, Singleton, NSW (Local Government Area), cat. No. 2003.0. ABS: Canberra, ACT.

Coakes, S. and Sadler, A. (2011) Utilizing a sustainable livelihoods approach to inform a social impact assessment practice. In Vanclay, F. and Esteves, A.M. (Eds.) New Directions in Social Impact Assessment. Edward Elgar, UK.

Department for International Development (DfID) (1999) Sustainable Livelihoods Guidance Sheets. London: Department for International Development.

Dunne A. (2012) Hunter History Consultants (2012). From Brook to Broke: A History of Broke Fordwich.

Hunter Valley Research Foundation (HVRF) (2009), Hunter History Highlights: Newcastle and the Hunter Region 2008-2009. Available online at: http://hvrf.com.au/images/HVRF_Publications/Newcastle_Hunter_Region/hunter_history_highlights.pdf

Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association (2011) About the region. Available online at: www.winehuntervalley.com.au/The-HVWIA/About-the-HVWIA/The-HVWIA.aspx

NSW Department of Lands (2007). Map of Aboriginal Lands Council Boundaries. Available online at: http://www.alc.org.au/media/33571/map.jpg

NSW Minerals Council (2012) Upper Hunter Mining Dialogue. Available online at: http://www.nswmin.com.au/Policy-and-Advocacy/People-and-Communities/Upper-Hunter-Mining-Dialogue/Upper-Hunter-Mining-Dialogue/default.aspx

NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure (2012) Strategic Regional Land Use- Upper Hunter. Available online at: http://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/uploads/common/UpperHunterSLUP_SD_v01.pdf

Public Health Information Development Unit (PHIDU) (2011) A Social Health Atlas of Australia. The University of Adelaide.

Putty Road Memorial (PRM) (2010) Putty Road Truck Drivers Memorial – History of the Putty Road. Available online at: http://www.puttyroadmemorial.com.au/history-of-the-putty-road

Singleton Council (2011) Our Place: A Blueprint for 2022. Singleton Community Strategic Plan.

Wonnarua Nation Aboriginal Corporation (WNAC) (2010) Our History Overview. Available online at: http://www.wonnarua.org.au/history.html

Note: All historical photos have been kindly provided by the Singleton Historical Society. All current photos are sourced from Coakes Consulting as a part of the visioning and Photovoice Projects. Map satellite photos (c) 2012 Microsoft Corporation (c) 2010 NAVTQ.

© Sheridan Coakes Consulting Pty Ltd ABN: 29 085 257 709

Suite 6, 500 High Street, Maitland NSW 2320

Tel: 02 4933 2188 Fax: 02 4933 2588 Email: [email protected]

www.coakesconsulting.com

Documents

Our Villages Our Vision - Bulga Coal€¦ · traditional homelands span the Singleton, Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter LGAs. ... • ‘Our Villages – Our Vision’ Feedback – a