Hawkesbury City Council opened the improvements to Bipin Oval and Bilpin Hall on Friday, 28 October 2022 – the second of three Bushfire Local Economic Recovery projects being built in the Hawkesbury.
The $1.68 million works program, co-funded by the Australian and NSW governments under the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, 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 Bilpin, a brand-new playground with shade sails was constructed. A new toilet block, picnic shelters and pathways were built and upgrades were made to the carpark and oval. A 120,000L water storage tank and pump was installed for community use during bushfires.
The fire resilience of Bilpin Hall was considerably improved, with a new sprinkler system, gutter leaf guards, heavy duty door and window screens, door upgrades, and a 120,000L water storage
tank and pump for community use during bushfires. A 10kW solar energy system, awning and storage extension, and a community message board were also constructed.
A community artwork project was also installed in the playground – 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 St Albans and Colo Heights.
The Colo Heights Bushfire Local Economic Recovery project opened in August and St Albans in September.
The Bushfire Local Economic Recovery projects are proudly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments. The project also received Australian Government funding through the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Program.
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