Annual Report 2009/2010 - Hawkesbury City Council - NSW ...

and exploring exchange options) with each of the country councils.
Hawkesbury Sister City Association is a partner of the City-Country program and its delegation was extended
to include City-Country Alliance activities, consistent with its delegation and in conjunction with Council. See
Section 428 (2) (o) Statement of external bodies that exercised functions delegated by council above.
Hawkesbury /Lithgow Tourism Alliance
Hawkesbury and Lithgow Councils formed a tourism alliance in November 2004 to develop the tourism and
travelling potential between the two areas. The partnership primarily provides an avenue for the councils to
work together through their tourism programs and Visitor Information Centres to promote their areas (and to
encourage tourism product development, particularly around botany and food). This includes reciprocal
promotional and joint branding activities and projects like the Botanist’s Way project with other key players.
The Alliance is centre around the Bells Line of Road which connects the areas.
Bells Line of Road is also part of a broader travelling network which is promoted and marketed as a regional
tourism product being the Greater Blue Mountains DRIVE. The DRIVE is based on the Greater Blue
Mountains World Heritage Area. Alliance initiatives are progressively undertaken with stakeholders and
interested parties.
WSROC Group Apprentices
Council, along with seven other Councils, is part of a “not for profit” separately incorporated company which
employs on average 150 apprentices who are employed in various trades in both local government and
industry. The company, trading as WSROC Training and Employment Inc., also operates a new
apprenticeship centre (AUSNAC) which provides information and services to employers and people
interested in becoming an Australian Apprentice.
Stormwater Partnership
Council is part of a collaborative including the University of Western Sydney (UWS), Sydney Water and
industrial groups which formulated a stormwater drainage reuse facility for a large catchment within
Richmond. Council contributes to the ongoing operation and maintenance of that program which provides
both environmental improvement through the treatment of stormwater.
Council also partners UWS and industry groups in the Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) for irrigation
futures. The CRC undertakes research into the provision of safe, potable water supplies including the
provision of adequate water supplies to agriculture, environmental flows and recreation sites.
Peppercorn Services
Hawkesbury City Council continued to work in partnership with Peppercorn Services Inc. to operate
community transport services and manage community facilities which are used to provide services to older
people and people with disabilities. This partnership has also secured funding for a Centre-Based Meals
Service for isolated older people, a Supported Employment Service, and an Easy-Care lawn mowing service
for frail older people. Council also developed and adopted the Hawkesbury Mobility Plan to direct its efforts in
meeting the access needs of older people and people with disabilities.
Lower Portland Ferry Service
Council has an alliance with the Hills Shire Council for the daily operation of the Lower Portland Ferry
Service.
2009/2010 Annual Report Page 115