Singleton bypass work under way as residents battle Valuer General after this week's big valuation increases

Chris McNamara, Elaine Brown and Maurice Butler at the Putty Road farm run by Mr McNamara and his father, Mick. They say 'low' Valuer General offers for their land are at odds with the 'very strong' land value increases in this week's annual VG's valuations. Picture by Marina Neil

SINGLETON residents say "lowball" prices being offered for land being resumed for the Singleton bypass are at odds with the "very strong" growth in Hunter Valley property prices reported this week by the NSW Valuer General.

News of the rapid increase in "land-only" values coincides with a confirmation from the NSW and federal governments that work had officially begun on the long-awaited bypass, with a start on fencing, building demolition and the relocation of utilities.