Blacktown City Council - March e-newsletter

 

March e-newsletter

Mayor's Message

Nature’s worst brings out the best

Once again, our communities have been hit with a natural disaster. From bushfires last year, to COVID-19 and now we have been through a record flood. While our neighbours, Hawkesbury and Penrith City councils have suffered greatly, in Blacktown City we had more than our fair share of washaways, flooded roads, blocked drains and inundated houses and property. Blacktown City was officially declared a disaster area by the NSW Government. Council staff worked closely with Police, SES and other emergency services and utilities in identifying problems, assisting residents, closing flood affected roads and making running repairs. Blacktown City Council provided road repair crews and a temporary depot at Riverstone to Hawkesbury Council and also offered Penrith City Council assistance with clean-up operations. Blacktown City Council also provided a free collection service of flood-damaged goods and furniture. Appeals to aide flood victims being coordinated at GIVIT.org.au, through the Red Cross or with Foodbank here. Our deepest thanks go out to the SES and RFS volunteers, Police, Fire and Rescue NSW, Council maintenance crews and all those who pitched in to help their neighbours. Tony Bleasdale OAM | Mayor of Blacktown City

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Students celebrate official opening of ACU Blacktown campus

Hundreds of students are now being equipped with the skills for a bright future right in the heart of Blacktown following the official opening of Australian Catholic University’s Blacktown Campus. Hundreds of tertiary students are enrolled this year to study at ACU Blacktown’s vertical campus in the Blacktown city centre. The official opening ceremony was held recently at the new campus in Main Street, Blacktown.

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Help us name one of 2 new parks in the Warrick Lane redevelopment

At Council, your opinions and contributions are important to us. We want your help in naming 2 parks in the new Warrick Lane redevelopment in Blacktown’s CBD. The redevelopment contains 2 parks: the main central plaza on Main Street and a smaller ‘pocket park’. Names that reflect Blacktown’s local history, fauna, flora or the heritage of the Darug peoples may have a greater chance of being selected.

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Blacktown City’s 2021 Woman of the Year announced

For the sixth time in its history, the Blacktown City Woman of the Year Award has been jointly won by two outstanding local women. Rissa McInnes and Harinder Kaur were co-named the Blacktown City Woman of the Year for 2021 at Council’s International Women’s Day breakfast on Monday, March 8. The award was presented to Ms McInnes and Ms Kaur by Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale OAM, and the Chairperson of Council’s Women’s Advisory Committee, Deputy Mayor, Councillor Julie Griffiths.

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Have your say on what creative and cultural experiences are important to you

Our Creative City is a new cultural plan for Blacktown and we would like to know about the creative and cultural experiences that are important to you. Whether it’s reading a book or playing an instrument, attending a festival or learning how to dance, watching a film or making one on your phone, creativity and culture are part of everyone’s daily life.  Help us imagine the future of Our Creative City and have your say in the new cultural plan for Blacktown. The survey will take about 5 minutes to complete. Raging Waters Sydney is offering the chance to win 1 of 5 double passes for a single day visit (2021-22 season) to participants who enter the draw at the completion of this survey.

Have Your Say

The story of women councillors at Blacktown City Council

On International Women’s Day, we were proud to introduce a wonderful video telling the story of the women of Council, both past and present. The story continues to be written, and we encourage all women to be involved in their community wherever they can.

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What’s on

Thursday 22 April Noon - 1 pm Online webinar. Registrations are essential. MORE INFO   Webinar: Introduction to rainwater tanks Did you know that the population of Blacktown City will increase by more than 221,500 people by 2036? Our current water consumption is around 33 gigalitres (GL), and by 2036 it is expected to reach 50GL, which is equivalent to 20,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools! One way to do this is to install a rainwater tank at home to capture and store rainwater from your roof and use it around your home and garden. Come along to our free webinar to find out more. For more information, or to register, click here.

Blacktown City street lights ‘Light Years Ahead’

Blacktown City Council, working in conjunction with the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) and Endeavour Energy, has completed one of the largest residential street light upgrade programs in Australia, resulting in massive emissions reductions and cost saving for ratepayers. Project ‘Light Years Ahead’ has seen the upgrading of 12,000 street lights to low-emission, cost-effective LED lights. Mayor of Blacktown City, Tony Bleasdale OAM said; “The massive reduction in emissions is a huge win for the environment and the cost savings is a great outcome for Council’s bottom line.” The project has resulted in an annual cost saving to Council’s energy bill of $848,000 and over the projected 20-year life of these lights the total cost saving is expected to reach $8.5 million. With the LED lights requiring far electricity and therefore less emissions, the project has resulted already in emissions savings of 2,750 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), or the equivalent of removing 650 cars from our roads. Picture: (From left) Blacktown City Council’s Manager of Plant and Energy, Jon Bannister, Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM, and Endeavour Energy’s Sal Barone at the site of one of the final LED street light installations in Kings Langley.

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Blacktown City Council - e-newsletter

 

Autumn School Holiday Guide

Welcome to the Blacktown City Council Autumn School Holiday Guide!

The Blacktown City Council School Holiday Guide has some great suggestions for families looking for activities over these school holidays. Learn how to make ‘no bake coconut and date balls’ or attend an art workshop at the Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre! Keep an eye out for the Blacktown City Festival program, coming soon! Or why not visit some of our great local attractions including the Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park, the new Sydney Zoo, HOYTS Blacktown, and Raging Waters Sydney!

Kids go FREE this April at Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park!

'Rewild' your tribe these holidays and spend the day at Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park, home to the largest collection of Australian animals in the world. A true hands-on wildlife experience, located in the heart of Doonside. Visitors can hand-feed kangaroos, wallabies and pademelons, pat a koala and experience over 2,000 of Australia’s most unique native animals up close. We’re open 9 am to 4 pm, every day these holidays!

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Don’t miss a packed schedule of activities at Sydney Zoo these holidays

There’s so much to see at Western Sydney’s only world-class zoo! Visit Sydney Zoo and connect with beautiful animals in wide open spaces and fresh air. Home to all your favourite exotic and native animals, Australia's largest reptile and nocturnal house and an aquarium, Sydney Zoo is the perfect family day out. The added bonus of no hills or steps makes it perfect for prams. These school holidays learn about the amazing animals at Sydney Zoo with free keeper talks daily. Plus, join us for a musical journey under the sea with Abi Tucker and The Mermaid's Recycled Tail. Guests can enjoy the presentation every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday of the holidays. Meet the newest arrivals, including adorable baby capybara, meerkat pups, two playful elephants and a bull shark! Save up to 15% on day tickets when you buy online, or become a member and enjoy unlimited entry from just $109. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit sydneyzoo.com.

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Family art workshop with Sima Alikhani

In this family workshop, contemporary artist Sima Alikhani teaches participants the skills to create original artworks using paint and collage with acrylic paints and brushes, old newspapers and canvases. Suitable for all ages and skill levels, Alikhani’s inclusive teaching style helps budding artists master new techniques and take home a finished canvas. Bookings are essential and cost $10 per person. Date: Friday 9 April Time: 10.30 am - 1.00 pm Image: The Western.

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Hop into HOYTS these school holidays

Hop into HOYTS these school holidays for some blockbuster-sized family savings! Family Saver Tickets are now available for HOYTS Rewards members, allowing you to save on family movies when purchasing in a family of 3 or 4. Don't miss Peter Rabbit 2, Raya and the Last Dragon, Tom & Jerry: The Movie, and more!

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Make a splash these school holidays at Raging Waters Sydney

Offering over 30 rides, slides and attractions Sydney’s biggest waterpark has something for the whole family. Challenge your family and friends on the H2Go Racers, experience the thrills on the 360 Rush, chill out by the beach or slide the new – Whirlwind. Discover NSW vouchers accepted at the gate – get entry from just $25. Tickets and passes can be found online, here.

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Looking for more to do these school holidays?

The Blacktown City Council School Holiday Guide has some great suggestions for families looking for activities over these school holidays. Join our junior tennis holiday clinic, or attend a workshop at one of our libraries or the Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre. There is something for everyone! For a full listing of events and activities, click here. If you would like to receive future editions of our School Holiday Guide, subscribe here.

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