Work has started on Hawkesbury City Council's Vibrant Towns and Villages project to revitalise the Richmond and South Windsor town centres.
In Richmond, the upgrades will include the planting of 26 advanced trees; new feature paving and street furniture; and new surfacing, signage and lighting for the pedestrian crossing between Bosworth Street and West Market Street.
In South Windsor, works will include the planting of 40 advanced trees in Mullinger Lane and 59 advanced trees on George Street from Campbell Street to Beerewan Park; new feature paving and street furniture; upgraded parking in Mullinger Lane; new refuge islands at Campbell Street and Bell Street, and an upgrade to the pedestrian crossing near Newtown Arcade with new surfacing, lighting and signage.
Over the next few weeks, work in these two centres will include surveying and the installation of fencing and signage ahead of the start of full construction work.
Hawkesbury City Mayor Patrick Conolly said the upgrades will make these centres more attractive for people to visit and will be a major boost for local businesses.
"Our town centres are hubs of community life. These improvements will breathe new life into these centres and ensure that they remained valued by locals and visitors alike for many years to come," Mayor Conolly said.
"The planting of 319 trees to form green boulevards will not only make our centres more visually appealing, it will also improve local biodiversity, improve air quality and cool our town centres with added shade.
"We want our town centres to by a joy to visit, to attract shoppers and visitors and encourage them to stay longer. We want businesses in these centres to thrive, boosting employment and the local economy."
Works in the Windsor Town Centre are scheduled to begin in the second half of this year.
The $18.75 million project is co-funded by Hawkesbury City Council under the Western Parkland City Liveability Program which is part of the Western Sydney City Deal (WSCD). The WSCD is a 20-year partnership between the Australian and NSW Governments and the eight Councils of the Western Parkland City.
The $1.244 million tree planting project across the three town centres is part of the Greening Our City grant program that is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Local Government NSW.
