Local Council Updates

With a major capital works program of $284 million alone, Blacktown City Council has announced it’s delivered a record balanced budget totalling $809 million for 2022/23. Representing the largest-ever Council spend, the draft budget and a 20-year blueprint for sustainable development have been adopted and placed on public exhibition 11 May to 7 June. Last […]

Five new state funded grants will improve council infrastructure and public space amenity works in Riverstone, Schofields, Marsden Park and Rouse Hill. The works earmarked for June through to October 2023 include: Edmund Street Basin, Riverstone $16.63 million Marsden Park Regional Basin $14.24 million Regent Street basin, Riverstone $11.1 million Rouse Road drainage, Rouse Hill […]

Blacktown City Council has honoured remarkable Indigenous senior elder Wesley Marne with a Key to the City on his 100th birthday. Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM presented the prestigious honour to Uncle Wes at a surprise birthday party with his family and friends in Plumpton on Anzac Day. “Uncle Wes, a Bigambul man, has […]

Business owners are getting a helping hand to start up or re-educate themselves thanks to the business education mini How To Series held by Hills Shire Council. The series comprises face-to-face workshops aimed at helping new and established business owners understand the fundamentals of social media, marketing and business planning. Upcoming workshops include: Mastering Facebook […]

A public hearing to outline revised changes to planned works in Fernadell Park, Pitt Town, is being held at the Pitt Town Sports Club on Monday, 16 May from 7pm. The revised plans were created following a first round of “very positive” community consultation in mid-2021 according to the council, which added due to the […]

Hawkesbury primary producers and turf growers met with Shadow Agriculture Minister Julie Collins and Macquarie MP Susan Templeman to discuss ongoing challenges of flood and bushfire assistance as well as encroaching urban development, at Enniskillen Orchard, Grose Vale. Ms Collins and Ms Templeman met with local orchard and wine makers along with agricultural educators before […]

Hawkesbury and Hills residents can claim a free tree during autumn and spring. “This year’s trees include native varieties as well as citrus and flowering trees which will provide shade and privacy for years to come,” Hawkesbury MP Ms Preston said. More than 25,000 trees are being offered across 33 council areas as part of […]

Court approves plan for Glenhaven place of public worship despite Council and community disapproval The Land and Environment Court has given the go ahead for a place of public worship at 1 Larapinta Place, Glenhaven. The decision was handed down on Monday, March 28, by the Commissioner of the Court Joanne Gray who described the […]

Former Mayor George Nicolaidis OAM has been honoured with a Key to Blacktown City in recognition of his long and distinguished public service. “It’s not every day you meet somebody who has dedicated 32 years to their community like George did,” said Mayor Tony Bleasdale when making the presentation to Mr Nicolaidis in front of […]

You can now sit in style in a tiny and popular Hobartville park thanks to the efforts of resident Garry Cottle in getting three new picnic tables and seating. Mr Cottle and a band of residents asked Council to upgrade the well-worn park furniture in Luttrell Street Reserve, but work was held up due to […]

A break at Hawkesbury City Council’s pump station at South Creek has caused sewage to seep into the Hawkesbury River. Council has just advised swimming and fishing are currently prohibited between South Creek at the Windsor Boat Ramp and Windsor Beach at Macquarie Park. Signage is being currently erected to advise river users with staff […]

Councillor Mark Hodges has been announced as the new Deputy Mayor of The Hills Shire, after he was elected during an Extraordinary Meeting of Council last night (Tuesday). “There is a lot of important work which Council will carry out in this term including the completion of important traffic infrastructure; the completion and opening of […]