Council reserves Rosedale land for public recreation

Upper Hunter Shire Council is safeguarding the large section of land behind Murrurundi’s Rosedale Horse Complex, for public use and recreation.

Only nine more lots of land will be released for residential development adjoining the existing 17 lots on Rosedale Estate. Council resolved that the remaining land, including Rosedale Paddock, will be included within Rosedale Complex instead of being released for development.

The recommendation was made by Council’s Land Committee after public exhibition of draft plans and further discussions with representatives of the King of the Ranges (KOTR) committee and other user groups of the Rosedale Complex.

Upper Hunter Shire Mayor Wayne Bedggood said this offered certainty to different user groups who may want to use the land.

“Council understands the importance of local community events and the positive impact these have for local businesses,” he said.

“We thank Bob Paton and all the other KOTR volunteers who have done so much work on the Rosedale Complex in the past.

“Council will maintain the Rosedale Complex and take bookings. The land will still be available to be leased and additional sporting and recreational uses will be considered. In the past it has been used by KOTR to graze cattle when not used for the cross country course during the Stockman’s Challenge and Bush Festival.

“Rosedale Complex and the surrounding land is already used by pony clubs, school horse sports, sheep dog and stock working dog trials, team penning, barrel racing, horsemanship kids camps, combined small schools cross country runs, and the Youth Centre including for their recent Glow Run,” he said.

“There will be further discussions with KOTR and other user groups about how Council manages Rosedale Complex to maximise its use for equine and other recreational activities.”