From Hilltops Council – Brian Ingram

Over the weekend I attended the Maimuru Public School Centenary.

It was an honour to spend the day with current and former students, teachers and parents. I congratulate all involved in the celebration. Maimuru Public School is an asset to the Hilltops community and I thank the Centenary Committee for their invitation to participate in this special celebration.

There are lots of activities and events coming up in the Hilltops over the next few weeks.

This Saturday, 10 April, is the Young Street Party in Boorowa Street. The event will run from 9.30am-1.30pm and will be fun for the whole family with busking, games, circus performer, caricature drawing, balloon twisting, a silent disco and much more. Seeing our main streets bustle again after the effects of COVID-19 is very promising and this event is aimed at celebrating that.

The Hilltops Youth Action Group will present a jam packed line up of Youth Week 2021 celebrations.

The events are aimed at local youth aged between 12 and 24 years of age and are all free events, thanks to the support of the NSW Government. The program kicks off with movie nights in Boorowa, Harden and Young next week, followed by a Music Art Drama and Dance Show on Sunday 18 April and game day at the PCYC on Monday 19 April. Bookings can be made via Eventbrite.

Seniors Week is also just around the corner and Council will be hosting several events for Hilltops seniors from 16 – 23 April. This includes author talks and tech savvy seniors events at each library branch and a Take 5 concert at the Young branch. Bookings can be made via Eventbrite or by contacting your local library branch in Boorowa, Harden or Young.

A reminder that the Draft Hilltops Local Environmental Plan (LEP) remains on public exhibition until 26 April. The LEP provides land use planning controls that govern ‘day to day’ planning and development decisions. You can view the Draft Hilltops LEP via Council’s dedicated LEP Consultation website, https://lep.hilltops.nsw.gov.au/. The Consultation Website includes all the draft Hilltops LEP documents and interactive Online Mapping to view the current and proposed planning controls. During the public exhibition period Council Officers are available for appointments to discuss the draft LEP and what it means for your property, business, or industry. Please contact Council’s Strategic Planning Team on 1300 445 586 or email lep@hilltops.nsw.gov.au

I invite and encourage residents to provide feedback and have their say to ensure we produce a plan that is right for all of Hilltops. It has been pleasing to see good attendance at the consultation events that have been held throughout the consultation period.

In relation to COVID-19, the NSW Government eased restrictions from 29 March. Restrictions on dancing, singing and visitors in the home have been lifted. Up to 200 people are now allowed for personal outdoor public gatherings. All venues have moved to the 2 square metre rule and entertainment venues are back to 100% seated capacity. We are moving in the right direction but must remain cautious. Maintain good hygiene practices, social distancing measures and where appropriate, get tested.

We all have a role to play in keeping our community safe.

- Brian Ingram

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• Local Council