The election of Hawkesbury City Council’s Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the 2018 to 2020 Mayoral Term took place at Council’s Extraordinary Meeting on Tuesday, 18 September 2018. The new Mayor of Hawkesbury is Councillor Barry Calvert and the new Deputy Mayor is Councillor Mary Lyons-Buckett.

Upon his appointment, Councillor Calvert offered his gratitude and congratulations to former Mayor, Councillor Mary Lyons-Buckett for her hard work and dedication to the people of the Hawkesbury over the past two years. He noted that Councillor Lyons-Buckett had forged many strong links with all sections of the community and commended her tireless work for residents.

Councillor Calvert was first elected to Council in September 1999 and he is looking forward to continuing to work for the local community as the new Mayor. A retired education consultant with a Bachelor of Economics and a Diploma in Education, Councillor Calvert is known for his longstanding contribution to the Hawkesbury.

The new Mayor plans to promote the many positive aspects of the Hawkesbury and to encourage strong connections with our community, industry and government

to unlock further opportunities in education, business and employment for the Hawkesbury.

Councillor Calvert also intends to lead the process of reviewing Council’s policies with a view to either updating existing policies, deleting older policies, or creating new, more relevant policies.

He is Vice President of the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC), and a committee member of the Human Services Advisory Committee, the Hawkesbury Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee, the Infrastructure Committee, the Regional Strategic Alliance, the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils, the General Manager’s Performance Review Panel, the clubGrants Local Committee, NSW Public Libraries and Western Sydney Academy of Sport.

HAWKESBURY CITY COUNCIL

COMMUNITYNEWSLETTER

Barry Calvert MAYOR OF HAWKESBURY

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New Mayor and Deputy Mayor

Helping farmers With many local farmers suffering from the NSW drought conditions, Hawkesbury City Council has made a commitment to support local farmers by selling lucerne silage rolls which are produced at its McGraths Hill Treatment Plant using recycled water. The silage rolls will be available at cost for only $48 each over the next six months. The price represents a significant subsidy by Council on the rolls in recognition of the adverse circumstances that many primary producers currently face.

The initiative aims to help farmers in need to get cheaper fodder for their starving livestock.

Council is also encouraging local farmers to sign up to Buy a Bale so they are eligible to receive support whether its hands-on, financial or emotional. There are donation boxes for the community to donate to Buy a Bale at Council’s Administration Building, 366 George Street, Windsor.

Hawkesbury farmers are required to register through an Expression of Interest on Council’s website www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/home/home-slideshow/baling-for-farmers/baling-for-farmers to buy silage rolls. All the Expression of Interest forms received will be reviewed and farmers notified about silage availability.

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Council will provide an extra two weeks of recycling services from Monday, 24 December 2018 to Friday, 4 January 2019 to meet the higher demand for recycling is the week of Christmas Day and the week of New Year’s Eve.

Residents can also access the Waste Management Facility to drop off large pieces of cardboard from new appliances and household purchase, excluding public holidays. For all your extra recycling, just place your yellow lid recycling bin out on your scheduled bin collection day each week to receive the extra recycling collections. Recycling Services will return to usual fortnightly collections after Friday, 4 January 2019.

Recycling Bin Collection Calendars are available online on Council’s website http://www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/environment/waste-management/waste-and-recycling/household-services/collection-information or search Recycling Calendar on the Council website. Bin Collection Days remain the same even on public holidays.

Extra recycling

Koala SignsDid you know that koala sightings are increasing in the Hawkesbury? There have been koala sightings at Cabbage Tree Road, Grose Vale, Hermitage Road, Kurrajong and also dangerously close to Bells Line of Road

near Kurrajong Public School. Council has installed new signage around rural roads in Kurrajong which see a higher amount of ‘koala traffic’ to try to protect our native animals and to encourage safer driving from tourists and locals alike.

If you do spot a koala, you can record it at www.scienceforwildlife.org This is part of an exciting project run by Dr Kellie Leigh who has created important Koala Habitat Maps. The maps are based on a range of data including koala sightings, scat

survey work and radio-tracking data in the South East Wollemi National Park and adjacent developed areas including Kurrajong and Grose Vale. The maps are available at http://scienceforwildlife.org/iconic-koalas/koala-habitat-maps

With the help of over 100 koala sightings submitted by the local community, we now have a good idea which habitats are most important to koalas at this site and where they are likely to be found. Our koala population appears to be growing while other koala populations across Australia are in decline. We have some highly suitable habitats for koalas in our developed areas which means koalas are likely to continue to move through these areas. It puts them at greater risk from vehicle collisions as they cross roads, and from domestic dog attacks. So please keep an eye out, slow down on the roads and keep your cats and dogs locked up at night.

Building Hawkesbury’s Future Council has completed major works including resealing and rehabilitating roads, upgrading local parks and sporting facilities.

Recently completed works as part of our Pedestrian Connection Program include new footpaths at Bourke Street, Richmond between Lennox Street and Joseph Street; at Lennox Street, Richmond between East Market Street and Paget Street; and on the south side of Lennox Street, between East Market Street and Paget Street, Richmond.

Roads completed as part of the Road Upgrade Program include constructing and sealing the gravel road at Fairey Road, South Windsor and the reconstruction of road pavement and shoulder improvements on McGrath Road, between Windsor Road and Old Hawkesbury Road at McGraths Hill. There has also been an extension of the cycleway network between Fairey Road and Berger Road, South Windsor.

Over the next 12 months, Council will continue undertaking major works as part of Building Hawkesbury’s Future http://www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/home/home-slideshow/building-hawkesburys-future/building-hawkesburys-future. Council is also commencing a program to seal many gravelled roads as well as improving community facilities. 2018/19 marks the start of an expanded works program for the Hawkesbury which includes sealing gravelled roads, constructing new footpaths and building better infrastructure. The 2018/19 Operational Plan contains the full details of Council’s works and is available at www.hawkebsury.nsw.gov.au

Park Upgrade program

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‘Wake up With’The Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Penrith are being showcased in a new regional tourism marketing campaign, called ‘Wake Up With’ the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Penrith, developed by Destination NSW in partnership with the Regional Strategic Alliance.

The campaign which encourages families and active singles from the Greater Sydney area to visit the region and stay overnight.

The campaign is a collaboration of the Regional Strategic Alliance (RSA) which shows how Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Penrith Councils can

work together in an innovative way. The RSA was formed in 2016 to harness the collective strength, energy and commitment of the region to help build the future of our cities.

The ‘Wake Up With’ campaign runs for eight weeks, during the Spring travel period, and features the four experience themes of adventure, nature, food and culture. It builds on Destination NSW’s and the NSW Government’s commitment to grow the state’s regional economy, through marketing diverse destinations and unique experiences.

‘Wake Up With’ was made possible by matched funding from Destination NSW, through the Regional Cooperative Tourism Marketing Program. The campaign offers a refreshed view of experiences such as kayaking, mountain biking, tree top adventures, camping, unique food picking, and dining experiences within the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Penrith.

The Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Penrith City Councils collectively represent a growing region of more than 330,000 people and a geographic area of 4,612sq km. Go to https://www.visitnsw.com/wake-up-with for more details.

‘Wake Up With’ the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Penrith

If you want improved services from your local library and the chance to win $50 from a store of your choice, then hop online and complete the Hawkesbury Library Service customer survey which is now open until Sunday, 25 November 2018.

The results of the survey will assist Hawkesbury Library Service in long term planning and prioritising of services, as well as help Library staff in selecting materials best suited to the community.

This is a chance for the community to provide valuable input to ensure that the Library Service keeps delivering what residents want

The survey results will also help Council identify future grant partnership opportunities to provide facilities and services that meet the changing needs of the Hawkesbury’s growing community.

The survey is available online at www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/library/about-the-library/library-survey or visit Hawkesbury Central Library, 300 George St, Windsor or Richmond Branch Library corner March and West Market Streets, Richmond, to collect a printed survey.

Library SurveyHawkesbury City Council was proud to join Australiana Pioneer Village recently to celebrate History Week.

The community also came along on the day, visiting the many heritage buildings in the Village, watching the blacksmithing demonstrations and going to the Damper Camp for refreshments.

A convict camp was set up with a pillory and trivet, and visitors enjoyed many fun and exciting colonial games throughout the day. Council sponsored Convict Footprints, the colonial games and provided an information tent to help promote tourism in the Hawkesbury.

Australiana Pioneer Village is open every Sunday, and has machinery displays, horse carriage rides and carts, homemade damper, a working blacksmith, sheep shearing, wood turning and more.

Australiana Pioneer Village is located at 10 Rose Street, Wilberforce Entry $5 Adults, Children under 5 free, over 5 years $3, Family $15. Visit http://theapv.org.au/village or https://www.facebook.com/theapv.org.au or call 4575 1777 for more information.

Celebrating heritage

RECEIVE YOUR RATES BY EMAIL

You can now choose to receive your rates notice, quarterly newsletter, and other material by email.

You can also register to receive invitations to Council Events and Council Community Consultation sessions.

Visit www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au to register.

TUESDAY, 13 NovemberADRIAN D’HAGE - FREE AUTHOR TALK 10:30am to midday The Russian Affair, a chilling story about escalating tensions between Russia and the United States. $5 – Bookings http://hawkesburylibrary.eventbrite.comMorning tea provided. Hawkesbury Central Library, 300 George Street, Windsor

Friday, 9 November, 10am to middayPOPPY PROJECT LAUNCHOver 6000 poppies knitted by the community for a huge installation to commemorate the WWI Armistice Day Centenary.Deerubbin Centre, 300 George Street, WindsorAll welcome.

2 November - 2 December 2018 HAWKESBURY ART FAIR Showcasing the artists and art groups of our beautiful region, and an opportunity to buy original artwork from some of our most accomplished artists, designers and crafters. Opening 6pm Friday, 2 November.FREE – all welcome.Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, 300 George Street, Windsor

Saturday, 24 November 10.30am-12.30pmTOUR - MARKET GARDENS OF THE HAWKESBURYA bus tour of the Market Gardens of the region, looking at the cultural history of food production in the area through the landscape with Museum Director, Kath von Witt. Starting at the Museum’s kitchen garden.$20 – bookings essential.Hawkesbury Regional Museumhttp://hawkesburymuseum.eventbrite.com to book into a Museum activity or call 4560 4655

Thursday, 22 November 10am-middayWORM FARMING FOR BEGINNERS A beginner’s workshop to creating a worm farm. Learn what worms love to eat! What is worm tea, and how do you keep worms happy? Hawkesbury Central Library, 300 George Street, Windsor. Bookings http://hawkesburylibrary.eventbrite.com

Friday, 7 December 5pm-9pmLIGHT UP WINDSOR Thompson Square to Windsor Mall, WindsorChristmas Street Fair, over 30 market stalls, live entertainment, kids’ craft, free face painting.

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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 2018 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.

Saturday, 26 January 2019 4pm to 9pmAUSTRALIA DAY ON THE HAWKESBURY Governor Phillip Park, WindsorCelebrate Australia Day on the banks of the Hawkesbury River with new play equipment, free fun activities, live music, fireworks and amusement rides ($15 wrist band for rides).