Council acknowledges the value of quality recreational facilities to the health and wellbeing of the community. In the first half of the 2020/21, we have continued to invest in our parks, sporting fields and open spaces.
Under the Drought Communities Program Round 2 Council has:
- Installed irrigation across seven of our playing fields which will reduce the cost of maintenance and upkeep whilst greatly improving the playing surfaces.
- Installed shade sails over playgrounds at Marrangaroo, Tweedie Street Parks and Wallerawang and Portland Skateparks. New toilet facilities will also be installed at both skateparks shortly.
Council is also moving forward with the construction of the Endeavour Park
Pump Track. The Design & Construct contract has been awarded and Concept Designs can be viewed on Council's website. The Pump Track provides an opportunity to make better use of the abundant unused space in Endeavour Park and will complement the adjoining Adventure Playground in providing a youth focused facility. The project is 90% grant funded, with a $522,353 grant under the Round 3 of the NSW Government's Stronger Country Communities Fund.
Through the second half of 2020/21, Council is continuing to work towards completing the following projects identified in the Recreational Program of the 2020/21 Operational Plan including:
- Replacement of the Lake Pillans Boardwalk, which was destroyed in the 2019/20 Bushfires.
- Construction of new fencing around the Javelin / discus circle at the Jim Monaghan Athletics Field
- Repair of deteriorating sections of the jetty at Lake Lyell
- Upgrading the outdoor play area at Gumnut House Childcare Centre
- Installation of a wheelchair accessible fishing platform at Lake Wallace, which will ensure everyone can take advantage of this beautiful location.
Council has continued to extend the shared pathway, which runs along the Farmers Creek Corridor. This important environmental asset runs through the heart of Lithgow, meandering along the creekside connecting parks and playing fields between Saywell Park and the Geordie Street Crossing. In the coming months, works will commence to extend the shared pathway further and to enhance connections between Farmers Creek and places of community interest including Eskbank House, Blast Furnace Park and Lake Pillans Wetland.
Alongside these new projects, Council continues to work to maintain and improve its existing recreational assets. A small team of nine dedicated staff maintain all urban roadsides, parks, gardens, playing fields and open spaces throughout Lithgow, Wallerawang and Portland. "With just nine dedicated employees responsible for this work, it is phenomenal the volume of work they are able to produce," said Lithgow City Council Mayor, Councillor Ray Thompson. "This is another story of locals helping locals, with our employees taking great pride in presenting Lithgow's green areas in the best possible light. While resources are limited, they do a fantastic job and on behalf of our community, I thank them for their very hard work."
