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