Hawkesbury City Council opened the improvements to Horrie Ely Memorial Hall and surrounding recreation precinct on Thursday 18 August 2022 – the first of three Bushfire Local Economic Recovery projects being built in the Hawkesbury.
The $1.68 million in Bushfire Local Economic Recovery funding from the Australian and State Governments has brought resilience to key infrastructure within the Colo Heights, Bilpin and Macdonald Valley communities as well as offered opportunities for healing and hope for these communities affected by the 2019/2020 bushfires.
In Colo Heights, the fire resilience of the Horrie Eley Memorial Hall was considerably improved, with roof ceiling and painting, sprinkler system, heavy duty screens on doors and windows, door upgrades and a 120,000L water storage tank and pump for community use during bushfires.
Council also upgraded the toilet and kitchen, added a solar power system, and installed air conditioning.
The adjoining recreation precinct received a new multi-sports court and replacement of the tennis shelter, as well as landscaping, picnic area and oval improvements.
A community artwork project was also installed on the hall – a mural of tiles designed by local residents expressing their feelings and emotions around the fire and their recovery. This art project was replicated at both Bilpin and St Albans.
The Bilpin and St Albans Bushfire Local Economic Recovery projects are nearing completion and will be officially unveiled to their communities in the coming weeks.
The Bushfire Local Economic Recovery projects are proudly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments.
