People power at Bilpin and Kurrajong Heights gets action going on community projects

The folks up at Bilpin and Kurrajong Heights are used to fighting for action, and since the devastating Black Summer bushfires swept through the region they’ve kept the pressure on to get things done and it’s paying off.

Just yesterday, Bilpin Region Advancement Group (BRAG) announced a grant has been awarded for air conditioning with particulate filtration for the Bilpin Hall, the money coming from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, to help build the community’s resilience to future extreme weather events.

Sod turning event at Kurrajong Heights Bowling Club

“This is an amazing opportunity for our community to be safe in extreme weather conditions and will help keep our residents, volunteers and RFS safe when needed,” said BRAG’s President, Penny McKinlay.

“The system will give our RFS much needed respite to cool down and recover in the next fire season.

“There have been a lot of upgrades to the hall recently and this is certainly a big win for the community and will be well enjoyed by our pre-school participants also,” she said.

BRAG is administering the grant and they will be using a local contractor to deliver the project.

“Thanks so much for everyone’s support,” says Ms McKinlay, “it’s amazing what we can achieve when we work together.”

Meanwhile, at Kurrajong Heights, the Bowling Club is getting a major overhaul thanks to a massive $810,000 government grant, with work now underway.

Back last month they turned the first sod at an evening event which saw councillors, MPs and the community come together for a celebratory meal.

The Mayor, Deputy Mayor, two councillors, State MP Robyn Preston and Federal MP Susan Templeman gathered to turn the sod alongside 80 members of the community to celebrate the start of an upgrade to the Disaster Management Staging Area.

“We appreciated our local politicians getting down and dirty on something practical that will make our community safer in the future,” said Lionel Buckett and Steve Kearns, who are the project’s supervisors.

The total project cost is $810,000 and work is expected to be completed before the end of the year. It includes the installation of 240,000 litres of water storage that can be used by NSW Fire Rescue and RFS to refill fire tankers, a verandah to the side of club for resting of volunteers, and upgrade to the toilets and kitchen of the Bowling Club so the building is fit for purpose in an emergency.

Here’s our earlier story on the Kurrajong Heights Bowling Club’s fight for funding.

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