Council Notices - 8 October 2024

Exhibition of Draft Hawkesbury Social Infrastructure Assessment and Strategy

Council is inviting community members to view and comment on Council’s Draft Hawkesbury Social Infrastructure Assessment and Strategy, which will be on public exhibition for a period of 28 days, from Tuesday 8 October to Monday 4 November, 2024.

The Draft Hawkesbury Social Infrastructure Assessment and Strategy provides an integrated framework that guides future decisions about the planning, delivery, funding and management of local social infrastructure across the Hawkesbury Local Government Area over the next ten years.

Social infrastructure is the interdependent mix of facilities, places, spaces, programs, projects, services and networks that maintain and improve the liveability of a community. Social infrastructure includes a wide range of services and facilities that meet community needs for education, health, social support, recreation, cultural expression, social interaction and community development. This includes community centres, libraries and recreation facilities such as playgrounds, pools, sports fields and parks across the Hawkesbury Local Government Area, and the services and programs provided within.

The purpose of the Draft Hawkesbury Social Infrastructure Assessment and Strategy is to provide an overarching strategy which looks at social infrastructure in an integrated manner and that will:

• Clarify and confirm Council's commitment, responsibilities and expectations in the planning, funding and delivery of social infrastructure.
• Ensure a strategic approach to the provision of contemporary social infrastructure.
• Understand the role social infrastructure plays in supporting community resilience.
• Consider State Government Strategies and Plans.
• Assess social infrastructure needs of the Hawkesbury community and determine any gaps or oversupply, or potential to co-locate facilities.
• Outline benchmarks (where applicable and useful).
• Provide high level recommendations including governance models, possible disposal and renewal of assets, and improvements to the overall network.
• Assist Council to understand the quality, satisfaction and value of existing open space and recreation facilities, community and cultural facilities.
• Position Council for funding opportunities and partnerships in the provision of social infrastructure (facilities, programs and service delivery).

The Draft Hawkesbury Social Infrastructure Assessment and Strategy has four priority focus areas, including:

1. Priority Focus Area: Build an equitable, accessible and integrated social infrastructure network across the Hawkesbury Local Government Area that connects our community to facilities, services and each other.
2. Priority Focus Area: Activate, improve and consolidate existing social infrastructure to be  multipurpose adaptable and flexible and respond to our changing community needs and expectations.
3. Priority Focus Area: Strengthen community resilience and sense of belonging by valuing and making visible our cultures and diverse stories as the foundation of a welcoming and generous community.
4. Priority Focus Area: Build on our local strengths, attributes, partnerships and commitment by our community to effectively plan and manage social infrastructure in a sustainable and financially responsible way.

Community Engagement:

Community engagement was integral to the preparation of the Draft Hawkesbury Social Infrastructure Assessment and Strategy, and has included over 300 members of community groups, local organisations, members of Aboriginal communities, and communities across the Hawkesbury Local Government Area. Additionally, Councillors have also had the opportunity for input as part of Briefing and Workshop sessions as the project has progressed.

The Draft Hawkesbury Social Infrastructure Assessment and Strategy is listed under the Documents tab on this page, or can be viewed at:

• Council’s Administration Building, 366 George Street, Windsor, Monday to Friday during opening hours, 9am to 4pm.

Council will receive submissions via the Survey tab on the exhibition page on Your Hawkesbury Your Say website www.yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au, in writing addressed to the General Manager, by mail to Hawkesbury City Council, PO Box 146 Windsor NSW 2756, or by email to council@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au Monday 4 November 2024.

Should you lodge a submission, it will be considered, along with any other submissions received and may be included in Council’s meeting business paper. Your submission, including any personal information is accessible by any person upon written application, subject to Council’s Privacy Management Plan and the Government Information (Public Access) Act, 2009. The inclusion of personal information in your submission is voluntary, however, if not provided, may affect consideration of the submission. The information will ultimately be stored in Council’s records system.

The last day for the receipt of submissions is Monday 4 November 2024.

Should you have any enquiries with respect to this matter, please contact Andrew Kearns, Council’s Manager Strategic Planning on (02) 4560 4444 or attention email enquiries to council@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au with reference to the Draft Hawkesbury Social Infrastructure Assessment and Strategy.