Local news for local people
This week's Minute with Mayor McKibbin
July 2, 2026
Oberon, like other Councils in the Central Tablelands welcomed
the announcement by the NSW Minister of Transport, Minister
Aitchison, on Friday 16 June that Seymour Whyte had been selected to
construct a new bridge type structure above the Mitchell Causeway to
restore the Great Western Highway connection between the Blue
Mountains and Central West. Work will commence in July 2026 and
completion is scheduled for June 2027. The Central West will
continue to endure the current arrangements through Lithgow, up/down
the Scenic Hill and along the Darling Causeway for another year
however there is a solution, and we all have a timeframe to work to
which is much appreciated.
The Government has specifically stated that "the new crossing has also been designed to meet the region's future needs. It will be capable of accommodating an additional lane in the future, something that was never possible with the existing roadway." It is essential the Government in tandem with the construction of the bridge seek all necessary environmental, heritage and other approvals for this additional lane to be built as soon as possible following the completion of the bridge structure and so that it minimises the impact to the traffic travelling east and west on the new bridge structure.
The Government has also announced increased support packages for business and the packages now include eligible businesses experiencing financial hardship in Lithgow, Oberon and Blackheath which are entitled to claim up to $10,000. Oberon has worked hard to be included in the hardship package for its businesses due to our location. The Governments direct support package to businesses is welcomed by Oberon, however, it is acknowledged that this is only a small contribution to the total burden the closure of the Great Western Highway is having.
Oberon Health Council launched its Healthcare Grab Bag initiative outside of the Oberon Council building on Friday 19 June at 10:00am. The Healthcare Grab Bag initiative was developed by the Oberon Health Council as a practical, community-focused project to improve emergency preparedness to ensure that during an emergency or unplanned hospital transfer, essential health information is stored in one place, easy to locate, and ready to travel with the patient. This reduces stress for individuals and families and assists emergency workers in making timely, informed decisions. This is a great initiative for the older members of our community
Central West Forestry Hub, which represents timber plantation owners and processes in the Central West has commissioned a consultant to undertake a study into whether the risks of fire and the methods of fighting fire will change with wind turbines being constructed and operated in plantation pine forests. The appointed consultant is interviewing professional firefighting companies, aerial firefighting pilots, the Rural Fire Service, Councils and certain community groups together with undertaking research internationally. The outcomes will be of considerable interest to private and publicly owned forestry asset owners in Oberon and to the Oberon community.
Oberon Leagues Club Can Assist Charity event was held on Saturday 27th June, raising funds to support local people a with cancer and their families. Over $80,000 was raised; another record for a community of Oberon's size. It is amazing how much money is raised for such a worthwhile cause with several commercial sponsors donating significant amounts of money. The hard work of the volunteers from Can Assist, Oberon Junior Tigers, Oberon Senior Tigers and the Bowyer & Livermore auctioneers was crucial in making this such a successful event.
Oberon Leagues Club and Oberon Council signed a Management Agreement and lease on Monday 29 June for the lease and operation of the restaurant and bar at the new Oberon Sports Complex on O'Connell Road. Negotiations have been ongoing since late 2025 and agreement has finally been reached with transition arrangements from the existing Leagues Club premises to commence immediately and operations at the new Sports Complex estimated to start in August 2026.
There are still some outstanding issues with the playing fields and surrounding areas, which are expected to be resolved soon. The intention is to commence play later this season.
Andrew McKibbin
Mayor
