New improvements in St Albans

13 April 2023

Hawkesbury City recently opened the improvements to St Albans Park, the RFS Shed and School of Arts – the third of three Hawkesbury Community Improvement projects (formerly called Bushfire Local Economic Recovery projects) being built in the Hawkesbury.

The $1.68 million, co-funded by the Australian and NSW governments under the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, has brought resilience to key infrastructure in Colo Heights, Bilpin and the Macdonald Valley as well as offered opportunities for healing and hope for the community members affected by the 2019/2020 bushfires.

In St Albans, a brand-new playground with shade sails was constructed. New picnic shelters and pathways were built and a conversation circle to honour the history of the St Albans Writers’ Festival was installed.

The fire resilience of the RFS shed was considerably improved, with a new sprinkler system, gutter leaf guards, heavy duty door and window screens, door upgrades, a new radio tower and a 120,000 litre water storage tank and pump for community use during bushfires. A 10 kilowatt solar energy system, shed extension to house more vehicles, 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 Bilpin and Colo Heights.

Fire resilience improvements were also made at the St Albans School of Arts. This includes a new sprinkler system, heavy duty door and window screens, and door upgrades. A 10kW solar energy system, air conditioning, new stairs and a retaining wall were also installed.

The Hawkesbury Community Improvement (Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund) projects are proudly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments. The project also received Australian Government funding through the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Program.