Putty, New South Wales

Town water and sewerage are not available at Putty. A 22,000 volt electrical distribution line runs into the valley, but many residents in outlying dwellings rely on solar power and generators due to the distance back to the main line. The telephone system is serviced by a local automatic exchange.

In September 2006 Telstra commissioned a 3G/CDMA mobile tower near the Putty Road adjacent to the Putty Valley Road turnoff.

Only one terrestrial television signal (Newcastle based NBN) is of a usable quality in some parts of the valley. Residents must rely on satellite services for more variety.

The closest retail outlet was the Garland Valley Roadhouse, 12 km (7 mi) north of Putty, although the roadhouse really only catered for travellers. It was destroyed by fire on 1 August 2009.^[3] Residents of Putty must travel to Windsor or Singleton for food, clothing and agricultural supplies.

A recent addition to the Putty scene has been the Saint Shenouda Coptic Orthodox Monastery situated on the Putty Road.

Another addition in 2011 is the Grey Gum Cafe on the Singleton/Putty Road, 6 km south of the Putty turnoff. Coffee, hot meals, toilets and a shower block for travellers are available.

Community groups include:

• New South Wales Rural Fire Service Putty brigade.
• The Putty Community Association (PCA) which currently operates the Putty Community Hall.
• The hall is an historic building that stands on land donated for the purpose, and as the land title deeds dated 1918 state: "Upon trust for the use of the residents of Putty for Public, Religious and Social gatherings and for such other purposes as the said residents may from time to time determine...". The hall has undergone a continual restoration over the last 20 years, using volunteer labour and funds donated or raised during social events.
• The Hall is used as a Church on the second and fourth Sunday mornings of each week with Eucharists, Bible Study and Sunday School being provided by the local Anglican Priest from the Anglican Communities of Our Lady.
• The PCA hosts several annual events at the hall, including an Anzac day service, a Christmas gathering, a Christmas in July, and the "Biggest Morning Tea" to raise money for cancer research. The major social event is the Putty Spring Fair, held at the hall usually on a weekend-day in September. Various information and training sessions are also held at the Community Hall from time to time.
• The hall also serves as a place of refuge during times of local disaster. Bushfire and flood can quickly isolate the town making a return home impossible if caught on the wrong side. For such occasions, the PCA operates an emergency satellite phone in the event of a failure of the local telephone system.
• Putty's proximity to the Wollemi National Park means it is sometimes used as a starting or finishing point for treks. Hikers often utilise old logging trails that make it possible to walk through the national park on trips of eighty kilometres or more.^[4]