Community Newsletter2

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SpringConstruction is underway at Governor Phillip Park, Windsor on a new jetty extending from the boat ramp to the existing floating pontoon. Council is also undertaking bank stabilisation works and landscaping as part of the project. $500,000 has been secured by Council from State Government funding for the improvements under the NSW Boating Now infrastructure program.

The works will take approximately four months to complete. Public access to the boat ramp will be maintained during this time although some disruption will occur within South Creek between the boat ramp and the existing pontoon.

One of the major uses of this park is for boating access to the river. Governor Phillip Park is the venue for some large annual events that cater for a high number of visitors including the Bridge to Bridge Power Boat Race, the Hawkesbury 120 Ski Race Classic; the Powerboat Spectacular Windsor and the Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Classic. The riverside park also features two large picnic shelters with BBQs and a children’s playground.

Extra holiday recyclingGovernor Phillip Park renewal

New Stannix Park Road bridgeCouncil has replaced an old single lane timber bridge on Stannix Park Road, Ebenezer with a new two lane concrete bridge at a cost of $700,000. The works commenced in May 2015 and were completed in September. The works were part of the Timber Bridge Replacement Program funded from a loan under the State Government Local Infrastructure Renewal Scheme.

Keeping the existing bridge in place during the construction phase ensured minimal impact on traffic.The new bridge is downstream of the old bridge with improved road alignment within the existing road reserve. It is located on the suburb boundary of Wilberforce and Ebenezer, about 2.8 km east of Putty Road.

Other major works planned for the Bridge Replacement Program will include $2.8 million to be spent building two replacement bridges on Upper MacDonald Road and one on West Portland Road.

In an effort to reduce the amount of organic waste going to landfill, Council’s Compost Revolution program is giving Hawkesbury residents the chance to purchase a compost bin or a worm farm kit at up to 70% off the recommended retail price, thanks to funding from the NSW Government’s Waste Less Recycle More Initiative.

Hawkesbury residents need to do an online tutorial and quiz to get a discount on a compost bin or worm farm with free delivery. Compost bins cost only $29.90, an Eco Roto compost bin is only $59.90 and worm farms, including worms cost $44.90. Visit www.compostrevolution.com.au/hawkesbury.

Join the Compost Revolution!

Project Engineer Siva Sivakumar with Hawkesbury Mayor, Kim Ford inspect Stannix Park Road Bridge.

Free weekly recycling services will be offered to Hawkesbury residents for the second time over the Christmas/Summer holiday period from Monday, 28 December 2015 to Friday, 22 January 2016 to help people dispose of extra recycling. Positive customer feedback last year has prompted Council to re-offer this service for the second year running.

Local Government Week Council’s facilities and services were on show during Local Government Week in August with a great program of free events and activities that included competitions, exhibitions, recycling workshops, plant giveaways at the Hawkesbury Community Nursery and an Open Day at the Hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter.

In the biggest giveaway yet, the Community Nursery gave residents 1,056 native plants as part of National Tree Day with 528 people attending. The Animal Shelter held its Open Day on the same day. Over 500 people attended, along with 50 former shelter dogs and one sociable cat. Shelter volunteers talked about their experiences and encouraged more people to volunteer for this important community facility. Both facilities are on Mulgrave Road, Mulgrave.

Local resident Susan Andrews gets planting hints from Community Bushcare Officer Martin Gauci.

Phoebe and her brother Kinn with their mum Melissa Murphy at the Nursery Open Day with their free plants.

Puppy love at the Shelter.

Call to restore Grants

Responding to our youthThe 2015 Hawkesbury Youth Summit has resulted in participants recommending six initiatives to help to tackle important youth issues in the Hawkesbury. More than 60 young people representing six Hawkesbury high schools attended the Youth Summit.

Council has now resolved to adopt the initiatives which includes Council working with agencies to develop an anti bullying program for local high schools; contributing to a local Youth Mental Health Forum; working with Peppercorn Services Inc. to promote existing youth transport initiatives; Council’s Youth Participation Officer maintaining contact with young people to provide opportunities for them to be involved in civic leadership and Council process; determining measures to support young people in accessing employment services or events; and investigating careers programs and enhancing existing HSC revision programs provided through its cultural services branch.

Council staff are preparing an action plan to instigate these recommendations. Council will also continue to organise youth events and youth summits to maintain the dialogue with young people and to ensure Council’s policies meet the ever changing needs of future generations.

Have your sayVisit Your Hawkesbury - Your Say at www.yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au or from Council’s homepage www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au. It is another way to get involved, find information and have your say about issues and projects.

Council is calling on the Federal Government to restore Financial Assistance Grants to their funding level prior to the 2014/2015 Federal Budget cuts. The Federal Government made the decision to freeze the indexation of the Financial Assistance Grants for three years until 2017/2018.

Financial Assistance Grants are a significant source of funding for all local councils. Council uses this funding to supplement rating revenue for essential expenditure on local roads, bridges, parks, recreational facilities, libraries, community buildings and many services. This freeze could negatively impact the community.

In 2014/2015, Hawkesbury City Council’s Financial Assistance Grant allocation was $4,366,364 however Council’s 2015/2016 Financial Assistance Grant entitlement is estimated at $4,202,000. This is over $160,000 less mainly due to the freezing of the Financial Assistance Grant. While the freeze remains, Hawkesbury City Council is likely to continue to receive significant reductions in its Financial Assistance Grant allocation.

Hawkesbury City Council has joined forces with eight other Western Sydney councils to reduce energy costs and consumption by replacing old and inefficient street lights as part of the largest street lighting replacement project ever conducted in NSW.

The $7.8 million dollar Light Years Ahead project is coordinated by the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) and has received funding from the Australian Government.

More than 550 inefficient, old mercury vapour lights will be removed and replaced with new energy efficient LED lights in residential streets across the suburbs of Bligh Park, Clarendon, Freemans Reach, Oakville, Pitt Town, South Windsor, Wilberforce, Windsor, Windsor Downs and Vineyard. This represents over 15% of the City’s street lights.

Energy saving tips can be found on the project website, www.lightyearsahead.com.au and a fact sheet is available at www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au.

Director, Infrastructure Services, Jeff Organ and Louise Markus, Federal Member for Macquarie holding one of the new LED street lights.

Spring CommunityNewsletter

A new 570 metre walking and cycling path now connects Tiningi Community Centre to Berger Road in Bligh Park thanks to $102,476 funding from Council and Roads and Maritime Services.

To celebrate the opening of the new cycleway, Council hosted a free bike event at Tiningi Community Centre, Bligh Park during NSW Bike Week in September. Activities included helmet checks, a cycling obstacle courses for kids, prizes and a free BBQ. Council also hosted free group cycling lessons by AustCycle instructors along the George Capper Cycleway, Clarendon, with prizes and a free BBQ.

New cycleway at Bligh Park

Swimming Centre now openRichmond Swimming Centre is now open for the spring/summer season. The pool will extend its opening hours to 7pm on weekdays from October, allowing residents to take advantage of daylight savings.

Richmond Swimming Centre also offers squad options, club nights, swim carnival training, lap swimming and swimming lessons for pre-school and school aged children from the first week of school in Term 4.

With large open spaces, a half size basketball court, shaded toddlers pool and shaded children’s playground; Richmond Swimming Centre is the perfect place to hold family gatherings, sporting and community group events. It is located at East Market Street, Richmond. For opening hours and more information contact the Centre on (02) 4578 1349 or visit www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au.

New bushwalk guideCouncil’s Visitor Information Centre has launched a new publication to showcase 12 of the best bushwalks around the Hawkesbury. It is the first of its kind and a must-have for avid and recreational bushwalkers. All walks are about an hour’s drive from Windsor or Richmond.

The full colour A5-sized booklet is well researched and costs $4.95 from the Visitor Information Centre or Hawkesbury Regional Museum. It would make a great Christmas or birthday gift for your bushwalking friends or family. Businesses who wish to stock the booklets may contact the Visitor Information Centre on (02) 4560 4622 or email hawkesburytourism@pacific.net.au.

Switching on the (LED) lights

The happy winners of the $250 Energy Saving Packs with Councillor Jill Reardon (second from left) thanks to a competition at the launch.

Find out about local events at Council’s Hawkesbury Events Facebook page. To be featured on this page, email events@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au. Please refer to ‘About’ on the page for details you will need to provide.

Local Business AwardsCouncil proudly sponsored the 2015 Hawkesbury Local Business Awards. The Awards allow the community to be involved in recognising and celebrating our local businesses who demonstrate good customer service and business leadership. Congratulatons to all the local businesses who participated.

Garage Sale Trail 2015Council is supporting the Garage Sale Trail to be held across Australia on 24 October. For further information and to register visit www.garagesaletrail.com.au.

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Contact us:Hawkesbury City Council366 George Street (PO Box 146)Windsor NSW 2756Phone: (02) 4560 4444Facsimile: (02) 4587 7740Email: council@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.auWebsite: www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au

Printed October 2015 on Impact Recycled Paper. 100% FSC certified recycled paper. Made from Post Consumer Waste. Certified Carbon Neutral and produced by an ISO 14001 accredited mill. Please recycle this report.

If you would like to make a comment on this report please contact (02) 4560 4430.

Learner drivers can now practice their skills before taking their Driver Knowledge Test through a free web-based program at your local library or from home with the library website www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/library or anywhere using the mobile-friendly site http://hawkesbury.aussie-driver.com.

Free Tax Help is available at Hawkesbury Central Library, in association with the Australian Taxation Office, at the Deerubbin Centre, 300 George Street Windsor, on Wednesdays until 28 October 2015. Tax Help is suitable for people earning around $50,000 or less a year with straightforward tax affairs. Contact the Australian Tax Office on 132 861 to confirm if you are eligible.

Library members can download music and music videos legally and free, for Mac or PC. An app can also be used on your iOS (iphone or ipod) or Android device. Find the Freegal Music link at www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/library.

Free at the library

After a decade of volunteer service, Dawn Taylor has retired from Hawkesbury Regional Gallery. Dawn is an outstanding example of a brilliant volunteer – enthusiastic and always eager to learn and help.

To volunteer at the Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, Museum or Library, contact Council’s Volunteer Coordinator on (02) 4560 4439 or csvolunteers@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au.

Dawn’s decade of service

Dawn Taylor receives her award from Councillor Mike Creed.

St Albans celebrates partnerships

A new interpretive sign stands proudly at St Albans Park, much to the delight of the local St Albans community. The sign is a great example of community partnership with Council. It aims to inform the community and tourists about the important work by the St Albans Bushcare Group ‘the St Albans Village Weed Wackers’, who wack the weeds out on the third Sunday of every month from 9am to midday.

Bushcare Groups are not only about weeds – there are lots of fun social gatherings. Everyone is welcome to join any of Council’s Bushcare Groups. Onsite training and tools are provided. For information about joining or forming a Bushcare Group near you, contact Council’s Community Bushcare Officer on (02) 4560 4525.

From the Mayor’s Desk Stay up to date with what’s happening at Council by visiting the Mayor’s weekly online column ‘From the Mayor’s Desk’ at www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/from-the-mayor.

The 2015 Sydney Blues and Roots Festival will be held from 22 to 25 October in Windsor. The Festival has a new format to bring the music back into the main street of Windsor.

Free events and ticketed events will make it easier for the local community and visiting tourists to join in the fun. More information at www.sydneybluesfestival.com.au.

Council sponsors Sydney Blues and Roots Festival