Vote on the new Colonial Reserve Playground design

9 June 2021

A new $200,000 playground will be built by Hawkesbury City Council at Colonial Reserve, Colonial Drive, Bligh Park and residents are being asked to choose their favourite design.

The three options are available to vote on at Council's community engagement website, Your Hawkesbury Your Say at yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au/cr until Saturday, 24 June 2021.

Colonial Reserve is the largest open space within Bligh Park and includes sporting fields with lighting, irrigation, amenities, shelters and seating.

The Mayor of Hawkesbury, Councillor Patrick Conolly said the three playground options were designed to provide an active and fun space for the families of Bligh Park.

“The new playground will be located on the northern side of the reserve to allow connection to the sports amenities shelter and to make best use of the space available,” Mayor Conolly said.

As the site is primarily a drainage reserve for flood mitigation, it has subsequently been used as a sports park. Council recently installed a recycled water system at Colonial Reserve for irrigation purposes, including the large water tank situated within the sports amenities area.

“The existing water tank for games play will better utilise the space and the water tank will have a ramp going up to it for access. In addition, the new playground has been designed with a perimeter fence to reduce access to Colonial Drive,” Mayor Conolly said.

“I encourage you to go online to vote for the option you’d like to see built at Colonial Reserve.”

The existing playground on Neptune Crescent has reached the end of its lifespan and is located in an isolated area of the reserve. It will be removed as part of the upgrade.

Council will announce the successful option on Council’s Facebook facebook.com/hawkesburycitycouncil and Council’s website at hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au with work planned to commence in September 2021.

Hard copy flyers about the Colonial Reserve playground options are being distributed to community members in the Bligh Park area. Flyers will also be available at Hawkesbury Central Library, 300 George Street, Windsor, at Council’s Administration Building, 366 George Street, Windsor and in the document library at yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au/cr

“Council is committed to providing great spaces for everyone to enjoy,” Mayor Conolly said.

“We are currently working on plans for new parks and playgrounds at Pitt Town, St Albans, Bilpin and Colo Heights, so stay tuned for other exciting park and playground improvements in future.”

Council is also proposing to upgrade the nearby pedestrian crossing and roundabout in Colonial Drive, Bligh Park at its intersection with Alexander Street.

The works will aim to improve safety of pedestrians using the pedestrian crossing and reducing the speed of vehicles travelling through this intersection. Local residents will soon receive a letter outlining the roundabout project.

For further information about the Colonial Reserve upgrade, visit yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au/cr or contact Council’s Manager, Parks and Recreation on (02) 4560 4444 or email council@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au