Community Newsletter 2013 S ummer HAWKESBURY CITY COUNCIL A NEW ERA FOR HOWE HOUSE Historic Howe House in Windsor has re-opened to the public after being closed since 2006 to undergo major conservation work. The House is part of the award-winning Hawkesbury Regional Museum located at 8 Baker Street, Windsor, and is expected to create a great deal of interest in the Hawkesbury and beyond. Howe House has been fitted out with furnishings and displays that reflect its many uses over time. It is named after John Howe, a free settler who came to Windsor in 1809 to manage the business and farming interests of one of the district’s most prominent citizens, ex-convict Andrew Thompson. Extensive restoration work has taken place to ensure the integrity of the house, bringing it back to its former glory and ensuring the building is conserved for generations to come. This work was made possible by funding from the Australian Government under the National Historic Sites Program and through the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities together with annual funding to the Regional Museum from Arts NSW and contributions by the Hawkesbury Historical Society and Hawkesbury City Council. Mayor Kim Ford and Member for Londonderry Bart Bassett are joined by students and teachers from Kurrajong Public School at the opening. The main purpose of Howe House will be to provide an opportunity for school students to study a significant heritage site, including the ways of life of the people who lived there. Howe House is open for guided tours on Saturday and Sunday at 11am and 2pm. It is open other times by appointment only. ROAD REPAIRS A PRIORITY Council has recently implemented a data collection survey to collect information on the condition of local and regional sealed road pavements. The data collected includes a video capturing the actual condition of the road network, a roughness and rutting survey as well as data relating to the condition of road signs and lines on the road network. Results from the survey will help Council plan future road works and ensure priority is given to repairs and rehabilitation based on the latest information and road conditions. Council has recently undertaken a significant road repair campaign, repairing roads which were severely affected by recent flooding. Recent upgrades and road repairs have included: • $1.1 million upgrade to Pitt Street, Richmond, with work completed on kerb, guttering, road pavement and drainage. • Council has secured funding in excess of $1.1 million from the Australian Government’s Natural Disaster fund to restore damage to roads as a result of flooding. Maintenance is ongoing, with major work now completed on Mahons Creek Road, Yarramundi; Grose Lane, Bowen Mountain and Bowen Mountain Road, Grose Vale. • $1.6 million was also secured through the Australian Government’s Natural Disaster fund, to replace Piggy Back Bridge at St Albans. Work is being administered by Roads and Maritime Services. • $40,000 road pavement and drainage works has been completed on Hermitage Road, Kurrajong Hills.
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Community Newsletter
20
13Summer
HAWKESBURY CITY COUNCIL
A NEW ERA FOR HOWE HOUSEHistoric Howe House in Windsor has re-opened to the public after being closed since 2006 to undergo major conservation work. The House is part of the award-winning Hawkesbury Regional Museum located at 8 Baker Street, Windsor, and is expected to create a great deal of interest in the Hawkesbury and beyond.
Howe House has been fitted out with furnishings and displays that reflect its many uses over time. It is named after John Howe, a free settler who came to Windsor in 1809 to manage the business and farming interests of one of the district’s most prominent citizens, ex-convict Andrew Thompson.
Extensive restoration work has taken place to ensure the integrity of the house, bringing it back to its former glory and ensuring the building is conserved for generations to come. This work was made possible by funding from the Australian Government under the National Historic Sites Program and through the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities together with annual funding to the Regional Museum from Arts NSW and contributions by the Hawkesbury Historical Society and Hawkesbury City Council.
Mayor Kim Ford and Member for Londonderry Bart Bassett are joined by students and teachers from Kurrajong Public School at the opening.
The main purpose of Howe House will be to provide an opportunity for school students to study a significant heritage site, including the ways of life of the people who lived there.
Howe House is open for guided tours on Saturday and Sunday at 11am and 2pm. It is open other times by appointment only.
ROAD REPAIRS A PRIORITYCouncil has recently implemented a data collection survey to collect information on the condition of local and regional sealed road pavements. The data collected includes a video capturing the actual condition of the road network, a roughness and rutting survey as well as data relating to the condition of road signs and lines on the road network.
Results from the survey will help Council plan future road works and ensure priority is given to repairs and rehabilitation based on the latest information and road conditions.
Council has recently undertaken a significant road repair campaign, repairing roads which were severely affected by recent flooding.
Recent upgrades and road repairs have included:
• $1.1 million upgrade to Pitt Street, Richmond, with work completed on kerb, guttering, road pavement and drainage.
• Council has secured funding in excess of $1.1 million from the Australian Government’s Natural Disaster fund to restore damage to roads as a result of flooding. Maintenance is ongoing, with major work now completed on Mahons Creek Road, Yarramundi; Grose Lane, Bowen Mountain and Bowen Mountain Road, Grose Vale.
• $1.6 million was also secured through the Australian Government’s Natural Disaster fund, to replace Piggy Back Bridge at St Albans. Work is being administered by Roads and Maritime Services.
• $40,000 road pavement and drainage works has been completed on Hermitage Road, Kurrajong Hills.
DIVERTING WASTE FROM LANDFILLCouncil recently launched a new look garbage truck which has been updated with a bold red design and a strong message to clearly demonstrate what’s in people’s bins and how they can make a difference in diverting waste from landfill.
The new look truck provides details from Council’s most recent rubbish bin waste audit, where recyclable goods made up a staggering 17% of rubbish bin content – all of which should have been placed in the yellow lidded recycling bin. The audit also revealed that 20% of rubbish bin content was garden organics which could be composted.
To help reduce what the Hawkesbury sends to landfill, Council is currently preparing a tender for the provision of a green waste collection service to urban areas in the Hawkesbury Local Government Area. The process will include
a number of options for collecting and processing green waste, to obtain an effective and financially sustainable waste management system.
The introduction of a green waste collection service to the urban areas of the city will provide the Hawkesbury with a great opportunity to divert a large amount of organic waste from landfill. Council aims to launch this service in the new financial year.
PROJECT$600,000 FOR BIODIVERSITY
through the Federal Government’
Council has recently been awarded $600,000 in funding its “Hawkesbury River Biodiversity Restoration Project”.
s Biodiversity Fund for
vegetation in the Hawkesbury
Many issues threaten biodiversity and fragment funding to support biodiversity restoration projects along
. Council now has the Hawkesbury River over the next six years. Projects will focus on controlling weeds of national significance, environmental weeds and particular noxious weeds.
several reserves to improve biodiversity
Native revegetation projects will be implemented across risk of erosion and increase the habitat value for native
, reduce the fauna.
Many of Council’with the help of Bushcare volunteers.
s environmental projects are instigated in helping with bushland regeneration or for further
Anyone interested information regarding the Biodiversity project please
contact Council’on (02) 4560 4531.
s Land Management Officer
ANIMAL SHELTER DESEXING PROGRAM BEGINSAll companion animals sold through the Hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter will now be desexed.
Council has worked alongside local vets and animal welfare agencies, to develop this long awaited program. All animals sold through the Companion Animal Shelter at McGraths Hill, will receive their initial vaccination, be health checked and desexed before the new owner takes possession of their adopted pet.
The desexing program began in October last year, after public consultation showed favourable support for the introduction of the desexing program.
New standard charges will apply for the purchase of cats and dogs from the Shelter.
• Purchase fee for dogs - $295.00 or Pensioner Concession fee - $270.00
• Purchase fee for cats - $200.00 or Pensioner Concession fee - $175.00
The way the program works is that a person chooses their adoptive pet from the shelter, they pay the purchase fee which covers lifetime registration, micro chipping and the veterinary services. Council will then deliver the cat or dog to the veterinary practice that the new owner has chosen from a list of participating vets in our local area. When the animal has received all the veterinary services, the owner will be notified to collect their new pet from the vet and will be given instructions on how to care for their new furry friend.
Other arrangements have been put in place to deal with animalstoo young to be desexed at the time of purchase, which will seethem desexed at a later date when the animal matures.
For information on the new desexing program, please contact the Hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter on (02) 4560 4644.
HAWKESBURY CITY COUNCIL
CommunityNewsletterSummer
COURAGE TO SUCCEEDBede Polding College student Elizabeth Hitches has been awarded the 2012 Natalie Burton Memorial Award.
The annual Natalie Burton Memorial Award – a commemorative plaque, certificate and financial contribution, is proudly administered by Hawkesbury City Council on behalf of the Burton, Turner and Lawrance families. The award is intended for a recipient who has faced challenging circumstances and through their application and determination, overcome this adversity, to succeed.
Elizabeth Hitches who recently completed her Higher School Certificate is currently suffering numerous medical conditions, but despite her illness, she has always approached her schooling with determination and drive. Her teachers highly commend Elizabeth on her efforts saying she is always committed and enthusiastic about her studies and is truly inspiring to all who come in contact with her.
Mayor Kim Ford with Elizabeth Hitches.
Solar Panels being installed at Council’s Administration Building.
SOLAR ENERGY TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONSCouncil is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and has recently installed solar panels on the rooves at both Oasis Aquatic Centre in South Windsor and Council’s Administration Building in Windsor.
Council has installed a 7KW system at Oasis and a 30KW system at the Administration Building, with $110,000 funding from the NewSouth Wales Government’s Waste and Sustainability ImprovementPayment Program.
The energy produced from both these systems will be used onsite,with the 30KW system at the Administration Building powering Council’s computer centre. This site has power demands seven days a week allowing power generated to be used directly on site.
The installation of these solar panels is an important part of fulfilling Council’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The recently installed solar energy system improves energy efficiency while reducing energy consumption and operating costs. Council hopesto encourage other local businesses and residents to take up similar sustainable practices.
The newly installed solar energy systems are state of the art. It is estimated that these two systems will produce 65 mega watts of power per annum and reduce Council’s Carbon usage by almost 60 tonnes per annum.
BICYCLE SAFETYWindsor Park Public School recently helped pilot a bicycle safety program “Keep Your Lid On” - an innovative program run by Council to improve helmet and bicycle safety through skill-building and artistic expression in children.
With the support of AustCycle, Council provided six hours of free bicycle riding skills lessons from nationally-certified instructors as well as a helmet check and fitting day for the school. Participating students aged seven to 12 years were also invited to submit artwork which expresses their bicycling experience using the theme “Keep Your Lid On”.
Council aims to implement the “Keep Your Lid On” campaign to other schools in the Hawkesbury to improve bicycle safety awareness and motivate cyclists to wear bicycle helmets.
For further information about participating in this program please contact Council’s Community Safety Coordinator on (02) 4560 4498.
Windsor Public School students participate in the bicycle safety program.
HAWKESBURY PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION
Council is conducting a photographic competition for young people aged 12 -19 years. Entrants need to capture “culture in
their subject.the Hawkesbury” and tell us in 200 words or less why they chose
Information and entry forms can be found on Council’s website, www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au, and on Hawkesbury LoudspeakerHawkesbury Regional Gallery and Hawkesbury Library Service ,
facebook pages.
GREEN
SPOTWhen it comes to plastics and recycling its best to ignore the
symbols. They actually refer to the type of plastic the item is made
from, not its recyclability!
Place all your household rigid plastics into your yellow lidded
recycling bin including plastic such as meat trays, yoghurt containers,
takeaway containers, rigid plastic packaging, plastic cups and plates,
cherry tomato and strawberry punnets.
Exceptions include polystyrene, plastic bags and strapping, chip
packets, cling film, bread bags etc.
TIP: Think of it like this. When it comes to biscuits, the tray that holds
the biscuits is recyclable, but the outer wrapping is not.
If you’re unsure or have a question regarding recycling please contact
Council’s Waste Education Officer on (02) 4560 4566.
ARCHIBALD PRIZE TOURS HAWKESBURYThe Archibald Prize - one of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious art prizes will be on show at Hawkesbury Regional Gallery in Windsor from 25 January to 10 March.
There will be 41 portraits on display at the exhibition including the 2012 Prize winner, Tim Storrier’s self-portrait, The histrionic wayfare and the Packing Room winner, Raelene Sharp’s portrait of actor John Wood, A strength of character.
For this exhibition only, the Hawkesbury Regional Gallery will extend its opening hours, opening till 4pm seven days a week and will also conduct tours twice daily at 11am and 1pm.
To make the experience even more memorable, the Gallery is offering talks, film screenings and their very own take on the Archibald - a demonstration of the art of portraiture by local artists, with Hawkesbury Mayor, Councillor Kim Ford as their subject. There is also a People’s Choice Award, which invites visitors to nominate their favourite artwork for a chance to win a $500 ANZ visa debit card.
The Hawkesbury Regional Gallery is located at 300 George Street, Windsor. For more information contact the Gallery on (02) 4560 4441.
WHAT’S ON AT YOUR LIBRARYAuthor Talk - The Magic of Dangar Island Learn of Dangar Island in the Hawkesbury River from resident and author, Ann Howard. She will bring to life the history of this island from the arrival of the Dangar family, to the construction of the Hawkesbury River Railway Bridge and the stories of people associated with this unique island. Hawkesbury Central Library, Wednesday, 13 February 10am - 12pm.
Rhyme TimeRhymes, songs and craft for children 18 months - three years. Hawkesbury Central Library every Monday from 10am, starting on Monday, 4 February 2013. Pre-school StorytimeEvery Tuesday, 11am at Hawkesbury Central Library and Thursday, 11am at Richmond Library.
Knit with Friends Join our local Wrap with Love group of knitters, crocheters and sewers who make squares into blankets for people in need all over the world at Hawkesbury Central Library on the last Friday of the month (February - October), 10am - 12pm.
UNIVERSITY PARAWARD FOR COUNCTNERSHIP
ILUniversity of WCouncil has received a Partnership estern Sydney (UWS) in recognition of its
Award from the
Woutstanding partnership with the University through the ater and Land Management Innovation and Sustainability Enhancement Partnership in Peri-urban
Research (WISER) Network. variety of stakeholders and aims to provide a common
The network consists of a regional sustainability
platform to develop a shared water vision matched to , jobs and prosperity. The certificate of appreciation recognises the pivotal role Council has played in research collaboration with UWS and a number of other partners of the Cooperative
Research Centres for Irrigation Futures. Over the past eight years Council has assisted in the development of management. an understating of the complexity of peri-urban water
Council is proud to receive the award and participate in the WISER Network as its participation will allow the Hawkesbury Local Government
delivery of better water management outcomes for the management within the region. It is hoped that by Area and for water cycle continued participation in this initiative Council stafhave an improved understanding of water issues, now
and into the future to enable the development of a total
f will water balance picture specific to the Hawkesbury.
Contact us:Hawkesbury City Council366 George Street (PO Box 146)Windsor NSW 2756Phone: (02) 4560 4444Facsimile: (02) 4587 7740Email: [email protected]: www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au
Printed January 2013 on 100% Recycled Paper. Revive Silk 100% Recycled is Certified Carbon Neutral. The pulp used is Process Chlorine Free and manufactured by an ISO 14001 Certified Mill. Please recycle this report.
If you would like to make a comment on this report please contact (02) 4560 4430.
