Uralla Shire Council says a major water main break on the New England Highway, south of the town, has highlighted the value of strong inter‑agency collaboration and practical problem‑solving in local government operations.
The Council says the incident presented several complex challenges, including difficulty locating the break, managing traffic on a major transport route, and maintaining water supply under constrained conditions.
Council staff and contractors worked closely over several days – often for extended hours – with Transport for NSW, Essential Energy, and neighbouring councils based at Tamworth and Armidale.
“Despite aging infrastructure, challenging ground conditions, limited water resources and reduced staffing, all parties demonstrated professionalism, flexibility and a shared commitment to supporting the community,” the Council said in a statement.
“Careful coordination enabled traffic diversions, safe excavation and repairs, and ongoing management of water supply throughout the incident.”
The Council extended special recognition to Water Manager, Michaela Sisk; Acting Team Leader, Sally Munday and the civil and town water crews who sacrificed their ANZAC Day long weekend to minimise water loss and restore services as quickly and safely as possible.
“The response was a strong example of cross‑council cooperation and teamwork delivering positive outcomes under pressure – an experience that reinforces the importance of relationships, preparedness and collaboration across the local government sector,” the Council said.
