Bathurst Regional Council meeting news

MEDIA RELEASE – Stage 1 DA approved for new hospital

Initial work will begin on the construction of the new Bathurst Base Hospital with Bathurst Regional Council giving its approval for enabling works to commence at the
Howick Street
site.

The first stage in the redevelopment will include the partial demolition of the existing hospital building, relocation of the heli-pad, re-design of on site car parking, new access points for pedestrian and service facilities and installation of security fencing. Approval has also been given for the works by the NSW Heritage Office as the hospital is within Council?s Conservation Area and is listed as a Heritage Item. A development application for stage 2 of the works which features the detailed design of the new hospital will go on public exhibition from Monday February 6 until March 8. Details will also be available on Council?s website www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au. Council will prepare the report for the Stage 2 application and pass it on to the Minister for Planning for final approval.

Keppel Street
car park gets new lighting

Patrons to the Bathurst Art Gallery and Library complex and shoppers and business owners in
Keppel Street
will benefit from a significant upgrade to lighting in the rear car park of the facility in coming months. Bathurst Regional Council will spend $60,000 installing 10 steel columns and high pressure sodium lights in the car park that will improve security in area and access to and from vehicles.

Stone cottage demolition on hold

The fate of the old stone cottage at the top of Mount Panorama is yet to be determined following a decision by Bathurst Regional Council to defer an option to demolish the building. Located in McPhillamy Park, the cottage was a residence when the area at the top of the Mountain belonged to a local farming family. Further investigation into the heritage value of the building and its impact on future tourism redevelopment at the top of Mount Panorama is being sought by Council before a decision is made as to whether the cottage will be demolished. Council?s Mount Panorama Redevelopment Master Plan and Regional Tourism and Recreational Strategy identify as a priority the establishing magnet attractions around the circuit including a Sky Tower and Sky Park concept for the top of the Mountain.

Council joins water conservation alliance

While Bathurst residents continue to enjoy plentiful water supply, Council has made a positive move towards encouraging water conservation with a decision to sign up to the Savewater Alliance. The Alliance is an independent non-profit organisation whose aim is to increase the effectiveness of water conservation activities and provide consistent and credible public education on the issue. Through information provided mainly over the website savewater.com.au Council will be able to offer more detailed and up to date information to the community about water saving tips and products and access to information from a range of government agencies, industry associations, manufacturers and research institutions. Membership to the Alliance will cost Council around 54 cents per rate paying resident.

New residential land opens up

Residential land in the west of the city has opened up with the release of a 51 lot subdivision by Bathurst Regional Council. Construction work on the blocks in Avonlea Stage 5 at Llanarth has been completed and the blocks are ready for sale. The new blocks will range in price between $115,000 to $135,000. Development applications have been made for the designation of four duplex sites within the estate. The lots will be released to the public on Monday 6 February at 9am.

Youth Festival gets Council go ahead

Youth talent from around the Central West will have the chance to be unearthed in the regional music festival Rock Up 2006. Young musicians from Bathurst, Orange, Lithgow, Dubbo and surrounding areas will have the chance to participate in heats in each of these cities before the final to be held in Orange on June 3. Bathurst Council will contribute $5,500 in financial and in-kind support towards the event that has already received $12000 of grant funding from Indent (Music NSW) and the support of Bathurst Panthers Rugby Leagues Club. The event is being expanded on the 2005 Rock Up event that was attended by over 3,000 young people.