Monday, 19 August 2024 10:34
Domestic violence counsellor speaks out on getting out of danger
ELIZABETH FRIAS
AS an experienced domestic violence counsellor, Karen Devins is shocked at the severity of statistics where one in four women, many with children, have fallen victims to surging family violence cases.
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Monday, 19 August 2024 10:29
COUNCIL'S ANNUAL REPORT A WINNER
THE Hills Shire Council’s Annual Report has again been recognised for excellence at the Australasian Reporting Awards (ARA).
Council’s 2022-2023 Annual Report received a Gold Award in the General Award category, the seventh consecutive Gold Award Council’s annual report has received.
Mayor of The Hills Shire Dr Peter Gangemi congratulated the Council staff that worked on the report.
“I am delighted that The Hills Shire Council has received a Gold Award for the seventh consecutive year, this is an absolutely amazing achievement,” Mayor Gangemi said.
“This award highlights the skill and dedication of our staff as well as their commitment to presenting high quality and comprehensive information to our residents.”
General Manager of The Hills Shire Council Michael Edgar said he was proud of Council’s achievement.
“The ARA Awards are administered by an independent not-for-profit organisation with a strict set of criteria for best-practice reporting,” Mr Edgar said.
“The awards provide an opportunity for Council to benchmark our report against our peers in the local government sector and it’s fantastic that our annual report continues to meet the gold standard.”
The ARA Awards are open to all private sector, public sector and not-for-profit sector organisations in the Asia Pacific and commends organisations committed to accessible and transparent reporting.
To view Council’s 2022-23 Annual Report, visit www.thehills.nsw.gov.au and search for ‘Annual Report.’
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Monday, 19 August 2024 10:22
TURNING WESTERN SYDNEY INTO A LAND OF PARKS
THE peak body representing councils in Greater Western Sydney, the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC), has welcomed the release of final designs for Bradfield City Centre’s Central Park — but is urging the NSW Government to extend the concept further.
Intended to be the main civic centre for Bradfield City, the newly announced two-hectare Central Park will sit above the Bradfield Metro station next to Western Sydney International Airport.
Both the park and the airport are set to open in 2026.
The new park is being touted by the government as a “gathering place, and welcoming point in the city for visitors as they arrive and acting as an integral arts and culture hub for Western Sydney.”
Plans envisage a park with space for up to 5,000 people to gather for community and cultural events, art installations, a play area and native greenery including 570 mature trees and 73,000 plants.
"While we think the new park design is excellent, we are most eager to see how this can pave the way for similar parklands in other parts of the region,” said WSROC President, Councillor Barry Calvert.
“Western Sydney has a population of 2,700,000 and will grow by another 800,000 residents by 2036.
“Centennial Park in the eastern suburbs, for example, is 189 hectares. And Fagan Park in Hornsby Shire is 55 hectares.”
“So, a two-hectare park — as attractive as it is — simply won’t be enough to service the needs of Sydney’s most rapidly-growing region.
“In particular, the rapid development of North West and South West priority growth areas is reducing the amount of open space in our population centres.
“WSROC would love to see the state government establish similar ‘destination’ parklands in the growth areas they have identified.
“There are well-supported open areas in Western Sydney such as Penrith Beach Lakes and Prospect Reservoir — but they are few and far between.
“Western Sydney covers nearly 9,000 square kilometres."
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