- Our significant road repair program is on track, with reconstruction, heavy patching and drainage work across the Shire, and more works planned for the coming months to address priority issues. Our advocacy for roads funding is also gaining traction, with recent funding announcements giving us more resources to tackle the extensive road repairs needed across the Shire following our wettest year on record.
- The Wollondilly Cultural Precinct is being strongly utilised with the upgraded Shire Hall now in use by the community and the new Children’s Services Building nearing completion - ready for our first ever Council-run preschool service to start in 2023.
- Council endorsed its Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) 2022-2026 to ensure a more inclusive and accessible place to live and work for people with disability and their carers to be involved fully in community life.
- We made changes to the Wollondilly Local Environmental Plan to make it easier to hold events such as destination weddings, overnight stays, functions and business conferences in rural land use zones thanks to changes to the local planning framework.
- We’ve made significant progress on a range of parks, gardens and building renewal and upgrade projects, investing in these important assets for the community.
- Council adopted The Picton Parklands Plan of Management and Master Plan (including the Botanic Gardens); a 10+ year visionary document that will transform the area and provide significant benefits to the local community, sporting groups and facility users.
- We have gained National recognition for our Salesforce project, modernising the way we do Customer Service and process Development Applications, and streamlining our processes for the benefit of customers and staff as we continue to embrace innovation.
- Council is host to a series of eight free community ‘summer fest’ events across the Shire each with events featuring amusement rides, an outdoor movie screening, food stalls and performances by local musicians.
- The Mayor’s Charity Event “Welcome to the Carnival” raised $20,000 for the Kids of Macarthur Health Foundation and the Mayoral Relief Fund.
- Customers can now book, view and manage facilities online through improving our Facility booking process.
- Telopea Park Buxton Youth Zone is now open, including multipurpose court, skate park, bike racks, bench seats, water fountain and landscaping.
- Youth Programs including Youth Week, skate clinics, paint and sip and colour run have been successfully delivered.
- Council continues to strive to make Wollondilly an inclusive place to live, work and visit by providing equal opportunity for people with disability to participate in all aspects of community life by actively delivering on the Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022 – 2026.
- Women's Safety Charter continues to be a key consideration and integrated into council led events where practicable.
- The 2022 Dilly Dog Day Out was held at Picton Sportsground Off Leash Dog Area, the event included competitions, free microchipping, market stalls and agility demonstrations.
- Our Mobile Recovery and Resilience van will be on the road soon to provide immediate outreach and support to Shire residents and businesses.
- Wollondilly’s first Garden Expo and Plant Fair, BLOOM was held at the Picton Botanic Gardens with live entertainment, workshops and demonstration, market stalls and children’s activities.
- Council is continuing to work with its collections contractor to deliver a value for money domestic waste service.
- Council is continuing to meet regularly with developers to discuss the need for better urban design outcomes.
- Councils Environmental Assessors continue to provide comment on large development applications to ensure better environmental outcomes.
- Council received Highly Commended Award in Waste Minimisation Category at the Sustainable Cities Awards by Keep Australia Beautiful for diversion from landfill at Council’s two largest events for 2022, Illuminate Festival and Thirlmere Steam Festival.
- Council’s Natural Disaster Claim has been approved for $8.3M in repair works, our Projects Team are currently scoping the works for possible construction 2023/24.
- A first for NSW Councils with Council launching Interactive Contributions Plan Maps.
- A number of shade sail structures installed across the Shire including Warragamba, Tahmoor, Bargo, Oakdale, Buxton The Oaks and Douglas Park.
- Three successful grant applications for Active Transport Funding have been received to improve pedestrian safety by providing vital footpath links on Brundah Road, Taylors Road and Menangle Street with works due to commence on Brundah Road footpath in early 2023.
- The RFS building at Victoria Park, Picton was officially handed over to the RFS.
- Announcement of WestInvest allocation received for nine transformational projects.
- We celebrated the 200th Anniversary of Picton, Tahmoor and Bargo.
- The Picton Parklands Masterplan was adopted.
- Our Love the Dilly campaign was launched.
- A new event ‘Owloween’ held in partnership with the Australian Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Building works are substantially complete for the Smart Hub to enable co-working space located in the Old Post Office, Picton.
- A number of new events for the region were successfully delivered including Tradies Breakfast for R U Ok? Day.
- Council continues its advocacy for infrastructure in growth areas of Wilton and Appin.
- Council’s Concierge service continues to support many local businesses through the development application process or with planning advice to enable decision making.
- We were awarded a $5000 grant for Small Business Month 2022 in collaboration with Wollondilly Women in Business to deliver the Very Dilly Business Christmas event.
- Council received an Innovative Management Initiative Award at the 2022 Local Government Professionals National Federation Award for Council’s Integrated Service Delivery Program.
- Council was shortlisted for 2022 Work Health and Safety Champion for Category 1: Outstanding solution to work health and safety risk, large business (government) for Council’s waste compactor and new bin roll.
- The Community News is delivered to every home address in the Shire each quarter, reaching well over 75% of households.
- Council staff recognised:
- Brooklyn Ingle awarded Indigenous Apprentice/Trainee of the Year at the My Gateway Apprentice and Trainee Awards 2022 and 2022 Indigenous Apprentice/Trainee of the Year at the 2022 NSW and ACT Group Training Awards.
- Kiarna Cunningham awarded the Certificate IV Trainee of the Year and Overall Trainee of the Year at the My Gateway Apprentice and Trainee Awards 2022.
- Brooklyn Ingle awarded Indigenous Apprentice/Trainee of the Year at the My Gateway Apprentice and Trainee Awards 2022 and 2022 Indigenous Apprentice/Trainee of the Year at the 2022 NSW and ACT Group Training Awards.
Upcoming Events
17
May
Thirlmere Festival of Steam
25
May
Huff N Puff Road Race and Family Fun Run
26
May
National Sorry Day – Community Commemoration
Latest News
Have your say on Council’s Budget and priorities for the years ahead, as Council continues big investment in roads, infrastructure, customer experience and planning for the long term
Rail, road & basic enabling infrastructure top the list as Council endorses key advocacy priorities for Wollondilly
Thirlmere gets ready to huff n puff in a race against a steam train