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Bilpin's Community Project

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Work will commence in June 2021 on projects in the Hawkesbury which have received funding from the Commonwealth and NSW Government’s Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund. $1.68 million is available to fund projects in the Hawkesbury which will help to support the ongoing bushfire recovery in Bilpin, Colo Heights and the Macdonald Valley (including St Albans).

To help assist their recovery Council conducted an online survey in May 2020 asking the three communities to nominate a wide range of priority projects that would benefit their community. The top priority projects in each community formed the basis for the successful application for funding.

The funding body recently signed off the detailed costings and project construction program and the projects that the communities asked for can now be built in Bilpin, Colo Heights and the Macdonald Valley. Council will also contribute funding for additional works in these communities which will run in tandem to the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund projects.

Ongoing discussions and engagement will continue to be held with the community and key stakeholders as the projects progresses, particularly around incorporating artwork into community spaces. The works in your community will include:

Bilpin Hall Precinct

  • Community artwork
  • Water storage – 120,000L water storage tank and pump for community use during bushfires.
  • Extra storage area with awning on western side for community use and RFS briefings

Bilpin Hall Fire Resistance

  • Leaf guard for gutters
  • Sprinkler system
  • Heavy duty screens on windows and doors
  • Upgrade doors
  • Community message board
  • 10kw solar energy system with battery storage
  • Small genset with essential services circuit throughout the building

Bilpin Oval

  • Playground for all ages
  • Carpark upgrade
  • Landscaping, retaining walls, pathways
  • Oval upgrade
  • Picnic shelters
  • Water storage - 120 000L water storage tank and pump for community use during bushfires
  • Toilet replacement
Work will commence in June 2021 on projects in the Hawkesbury which have received funding from the Commonwealth and NSW Government’s Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund. $1.68 million is available to fund projects in the Hawkesbury which will help to support the ongoing bushfire recovery in Bilpin, Colo Heights and the Macdonald Valley (including St Albans).

To help assist their recovery Council conducted an online survey in May 2020 asking the three communities to nominate a wide range of priority projects that would benefit their community. The top priority projects in each community formed the basis for the successful application for funding.

The funding body recently signed off the detailed costings and project construction program and the projects that the communities asked for can now be built in Bilpin, Colo Heights and the Macdonald Valley. Council will also contribute funding for additional works in these communities which will run in tandem to the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund projects.

Ongoing discussions and engagement will continue to be held with the community and key stakeholders as the projects progresses, particularly around incorporating artwork into community spaces. The works in your community will include:

Bilpin Hall Precinct

  • Community artwork
  • Water storage – 120,000L water storage tank and pump for community use during bushfires.
  • Extra storage area with awning on western side for community use and RFS briefings

Bilpin Hall Fire Resistance

  • Leaf guard for gutters
  • Sprinkler system
  • Heavy duty screens on windows and doors
  • Upgrade doors
  • Community message board
  • 10kw solar energy system with battery storage
  • Small genset with essential services circuit throughout the building

Bilpin Oval

  • Playground for all ages
  • Carpark upgrade
  • Landscaping, retaining walls, pathways
  • Oval upgrade
  • Picnic shelters
  • Water storage - 120 000L water storage tank and pump for community use during bushfires
  • Toilet replacement

  • WORK STARTED ON BILPIN OVAL PLAYGROUND - 10/11/21

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    We're excited to announce that work has begun this morning on building a fun and exciting new playground at Bilpin Oval!


    The Bilpin Oval playground will include climbing net structure, sensory climbing, balance and musical zones, swing set and interactive play panels.


    The playground is being built with funding from the Commonwealth and NSW Government’s Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund.
    We can't wait to finish and open it up to local families and visitors at Bilpin!

  • Bilpin's Community Projects - August update

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    Council is pleased to provide the following update to the projects underway at Bilpin.

    • Council is currently awaiting permission from National Parks and Wildlife Service for the removal of three additional trees to allow the water tank to be installed
    • Precast panels for the toilets are being made offsite. Once these are made they will be installed
    • Preparing the Development Application for the awning at the Bilpin Hall

  • $1.6M Local Economic Recovery Funding for the Hawkesbury - 4/11/20

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    The Mayor of Hawkesbury, Councillor Patrick Conolly has welcomed the State Government’s new funding announcement of $1.6 million in Local Economic Recovery Funding for the Hawkesbury to further support community projects for Bilpin, Colo Heights and the Macdonald Valley (including St Albans) as part of their ongoing bushfire recovery.

    “Hawkesbury City Council submitted community projects for each bushfire affected area as part of the funding application for the Local Economic Recovery Program,” Mayor Conolly said.

    “This funding announcement is great news as it will be a huge boost for our community and take us much further on the journey towards bushfire recovery with projects that really matter to our community members.”

    Bilpin, Colo Heights and the Macdonald Valley were significantly impacted by bushfires in late 2019 and early 2020. While much of the physical cleanup has now been undertaken, the recovery work has been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    To better understand the needs of the residents of these areas, Council conducted online engagement programs in the areas between 2 May and 21 May. As a result, Council has been able to identify many actions that community members believe would help them to rebuild and reconnect.

    Council has used these community ideas to confirm the scope of community projects for each of the three areas of Bilpin, Colo Heights and the Macdonald Valley, including their cost, alignment with project criteria, strategic alignment with the Hawkesbury Community Strategic Plan.

    Bilpin community projects

    Community Space Aspects

    • Multi-age playground and recreation facilities

    • Outdoor space for communal gatherings

    • Community generated public art feature/s

    • Oval improvements.

    Bushfire Aspects

    • Water storage

    • Hall fire resistance upgrade

    • Renewable energy and storage

    • Bushfire damaged signage replacement.

    Colo Heights community projects

    Community Space Aspects

    • Multi age playground and recreation facilities

    • Upgrade of community space for communal gatherings

    • Community generated public art feature/s

    • Oval improvements.

    Bushfire Aspects:

    • Water storage

    • Improvements to supply and reliably of water supply during bushfires

    • Fire resistance upgrade

    • Renewable energy and storage

    • Bushfire damaged signage replacement.

    The Macdonald Valley (including St Albans) community projects

    Community Space Aspects:

    • Upgrade of community space/village marketplace for communal gatherings

    • Community generated public art feature/s

    • Improvements to St Albans School of Arts including access and removal of redundant structure.

    Bushfire Aspects:

    • Improvements to supply and reliably of water supply during bushfires

    • Bushfire damaged signage replacement.

    “Council looks forward to commencing work on these projects for our community thanks to this additional funding support from the NSW Government,” Mayor Conolly concluded.

  • Bilpin's Community Project - Community Engagement

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    Back in 2016 Council spoke to the community about what they would like to see at the site. Unfortunately, the planned works were unable to proceed due to land ownership issues. An agreement has now been reached between National Parks Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Council and work at the site can now proceed.

    It is now important for Council to confirm that what you told us back in 2016 is still relevant and that the works you identified as your priority projects are what you would still like to see in your community, particularly in light of the recent bushfires that impacted so significantly on Bilpin.

    The budget for the works in 2016 was $236 000 and this budget has not changed however there may be an additional allocation of funds available as part of bushfire recovery. Council will focus on delivering as many priority projects within the budget that we can so it is important for you to identify what your top priorities are. In 2016 you told us your top priorities were:

    1. Toilet facilities
    2. Picnic shelters
    3. Playground equipment
    4. Oval upgrade
    5. Carpark works

    We are also doing some general maintenance and upgrading works at the Bilpin Hall. We will be installing three shadecloth awnings, replacing the kitchen floor covering, installing new ceiling fans and some other general repairs. Work will be underway shortly.

    Below is a survey with these five priority projects listed in priority order. We encourage you to complete the survey to help us to plan and deliver this Community Project to the Bilpin Community.

    Survey closes Tuesday, 12 May 2020.

Page last updated: 11 Nov 2021, 12:53 PM