A new swimming centre for Richmond, a new community centre for North Richmond, upgrades to Oasis Swimming Centre at South Windsor, a redeveloped athletics centre in Hobartville and a cycleway across Rickaby's Creek on the Hawkesbury Valley Way are coming to the Hawkesbury thanks to the second round of the State Government's WestInvest funding program.
The $75.5 million in newly-announced projects is on top of the $16.8 million in projects announced in November. An additional project valued at approximately $5 million will be announced in the coming weeks.
Hawkesbury City Mayor Sarah McMahon said these projects would transform the region and deliver much-needed social, health, lifestyle and flood resilience benefits to the entire community.
"I cannot stress enough how important these projects are to the future of the Hawkesbury," Mayor McMahon said.
"These projects will replace and update much-used but tired and outdated facilities that will be enjoyed for generations to come. Local families, adults, children, grandparents, sporting clubs, cyclists, those who enjoy organised and individual fitness activities – there will be something for everyone with these new projects.
"It will also add critical flood resilience for residents west and north of the river by providing a hub that quickly converts into a purpose-built evacuation centre whenever it is needed.
"A lot of work has already been done by Council staff in preparing these projects, meaning that we can expect work to begin over the next 12 months. I thank the State Government for this funding that will make these amazing projects a reality."
Member for Hawkesbury Robyn Preston MP described the funding as a big win for the Hawkesbury.
"Never before have community projects of this value and volume been provided to the Hawkesbury and it's all because of the NSW Liberal/National Government's strong financial management. Hawkesbury's project dreams will now become a reality," Ms Preston said.
Previously announced projects include the development of Fernadell Park in Pitt Town, redevelopment of Woodbury Reserve at Glossodia, the Kurmond to Kurrajong Cycleway, and the Hawkesbury Wayfinding Project.
Richmond Swimming Centre ($30,319,843)
The redevelopment of the current 1960s facility will greatly improve the accessibility and services on offer at the swimming centre and enable it to operate all year round. The improvements include:
- All-season usage through an indoor and outdoor aquatic space allowing a new 8 lane 50m pool with separable boom that separates into two 25m pools (one with the ability to enclose during winter).
- Accessibility upgrades to make the pools accessible to less mobile children and adults
- Interactive, zero-depth splash feature park for young children
- Increased shade throughout the site
- Additional community infrastructure including picnic facilities
- Improved water efficiency upgrades to aging plant and equipment
North Richmond Community Precinct ($23,970,000)
The redevelopment of the North Richmond Community Centre will create a hub that will serve as a meeting and cultural space, social and recreational hub, and a much-needed fit-for-purpose emergency evacuation centre for our community residing west of the Hawkesbury River. The improvements include:
- A branch library service and technology space
- Performing arts and rehearsal space with a mobile stage for musical and theatre productions as an extension to the existing Youth Centre
- Multipurpose art studio space
- Indoor sports stadium and change rooms to support hard-court sports including netball, basketball, futsal and volleyball
- Emergency evacuation centre for use during natural disasters through upgrades to the existing centre
- Precinct grounds improvements to create a mix of active and passive outdoor spaces with seating, shaded areas, barbecues, a shared bike path and additional carparking.
Tamplin Field Redevelopment ($9,795,000)
Tamplin Field at Hobartville has been identified as the site of the Hawkesbury's first publicly-accessible synthetic field. This will enable sport to continue to operate on the site following extended periods of wet weather.
The facility currently caters to rugby league, little athletics, dog training, school sports, and personal trainers. It is envisaged that all of these sports will still operate from this facility with an "off-field" area being provided for the dog training group.
A synthetic field will enable high-profile sports to be catered for, including premier league soccer, as well as the current sports and activities. The upgrade will also include, lighting, fencing, carparking and amenities.
Oasis Aquatic & Leisure Centre upgrade ($6,716,000)
The Oasis Aquatic and Leisure Centre is a high use facility by the community, providing sport, fitness and leisure services for the local government area and surrounding districts. The improvements will expand upon the current centre to include better amenities for patrons, including:
- Children's splash park
- New shallow-depth program pool for learn to swim and seniors programs, including accessibility ramp and hydrotherapy
- Extended group fitness room with a climbing wall facility
- Additional school-age program amenities
- New covered deck to connect changerooms to the outdoor café
- Touchpads at the end of the main pool
- Extended child minding areas
- Additional carparking to cater for large events
- Outdoor gym
Cycleway Bridge over Rickabys Creek ($4,695,810)
The construction of a second bridge over Rickabys Creek at the Hawkesbury Valley Way will provide a shared-path crossing linkage between the shared path from Richmond to the off-road cycleway with improved safety from Rickabys Creek to Windsor – completing the off-road cycle route between Richmond and Windsor.
