Penrith City Council Newsletter

Penrith City Community News April 2012

www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au

ph: 4732 7777

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF PENRITH CITY COUNCIL

Help shape our communities’ plan Would you like to win Hoyts movie tickets? To enter, just fill in a survey to tell us what you want from Penrith City Council’s services in the next few years.

In March, Council mailed the survey to residents and also posted it on our website.

Telling Council what you think is most important because our residents and businesses will help shape how we will deliver our services to you. The survey responses, as well as forums, submissions and informal chats

with Council staff, will allow Council to review our current Community Strategic Plan to update it and ensure it stays relevant one for 2013 and beyond. The plan is the blueprint for the delivery of services, roads, footpaths, amenities and facilities for our communities in the short, medium and long term.

Penrith City Mayor Greg Davies said: “The plan is our communities’ plan; we are keen to find out what is important to you before it is drafted. Council wants to give everyone who’d like to have a say

How to tell us what you want: • Fill in an online survey or use the form mailed in March to every Penrith City household • Attend one of two resident forums • Take part in specific forums for local business people • Talk to Council staff at festivals, concerts, shopping centres, youth festival, Seniors’ Week activities • Visit our website, www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au • Phone 4732 8109 or ourfuture@penrithcity.nsw. gov.au

Photo by Adam Hollingworth

in our future the chance to talk to us. There are many events and opportunities for you to do so.

“Some points include whether we should work to improve public transport, roads or footpaths, encourage more local jobs or different housing types, provide better sports fields or community centres or protect our environment,” Cr Davies said.

To go in the draw for the movie tickets, your survey responses must reach Council by 1 May.

WIN A MOTOR SCOOTER

LET OUR GREEN BIN BLOKE SHOW YOU HOW ON PAGE 5

EAST WARD

Kaylene Allison 0401 995 843

NORTH WARD

Kevin Crameri OAM 0401 995 825

SOUTH WARD

Jim Aitken OAM 0418 288 488

Mayor

Greg Davies 0419 177 259

Tanya Davies

Ross Fowler OAM 0419 738 484

Ben Goldfinch

0434 609 406

0401 678 509

Jackie Greenow

Kath Presdee

0407 464 088

0401 678 508

Marko Malkoc

John Thain

0401 678 512

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0411 427 812

Robert Ardill 0401 678 505

Prue Guillaume 0401 678 520

Mark Davies 0416 085 597

Mayor’s Message My top priority when I started my term as Mayor was to create local jobs and it remains at the top of my agenda for 2012. More jobs in Penrith means less time commuting, and residents can enjoy a better lifestyle and more quality time with family and friends.”

“This year, Council will continue to work with the State Government and with the Penrith Business Alliance to attract infrastructure and investment to our City.

Since 2006, Council has supported 5,000 new jobs in the City and housing at Glenmore Park, Jordan Springs and Claremont Meadows.

We’ve also stopped 430 tonnes of rubbish reaching our waterways, used more than 22,000 kL of recycled water, extended the Mulgoa Nature Reserve by 145 hectares for bushland conservation and supported nine Bushcare groups.

Another important priority for Council is to improve the roads and pathways across the City and make them safer and more user-friendly for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

Throughout the remainder of my term, I will continue to talk to the community and get their feedback through workshops, events, surveys and ongoing conversations. Listening to the community and hearing about their aspirations for our City, will always be important to me and to Penrith City Council.

Karen McKeown 0401 995 945

Penrith City Community News

April 2012

Penrith City Mayor Cr Greg Davies

THOUSANDS FLOCK TO COUNCIL’S ‘AUSSIE DAY’ CELEBRATIONS Penrith City Council’s Australia Day celebrations at the Sydney International Regatta Centre (SIRC), Penrith Swim Centre and Ripples St Marys on 26 January were a great success attracting more than 11,000 people.

The crowd was treated to an impressive program of free and high quality family entertainment and activities, which Penrith City Council hosted. The Extreme FMX & Aquatic Ski Shows, F1 and F2 Superboats Live Demonstration and Fireworks Spectacular finale were again popular highlights at the Regatta Centre. Penrith was also honoured to be chosen once again as one of three NSW sites to host an Australia Day Premier’s Reception.

Council boosted its Australia Day program of events yet again. In the morning, 73 Penrith City residents gained their Australian citizenship. During the day more than 1,000 people enjoyed free entry and entertainment at Penrith Pool and Ripples St Marys; and from 6pm to 9.30pm the SIRC offered a jam-packed evening program.

Australia Day at the SIRC, Penrith Lakes was presented

by Penrith City Council and supported by Endeavour Energy, Sims Metal Management, Penrith Lakes, Sport and Recreation – a division of Communities NSW, Panthers World of Entertainment Penrith, Vintage 87.6 FM, Woolworths, the Western Weekender, Hix Group Pty Ltd, Penrith City Star, Fusion 87.8 FM, Blue Mountains Bus Company and Channel Nine.

Courtesy of sponsor Sims Metal Management, the winning ticket for the prize of a new $12,000 jet ski was drawn and awarded to Natasha Richardson. Woolworths sponsored the Australia Day Ambassador program, which saw speedskating Olympic medallist Jeremy Rolleston and Paralympic swimming medallist Denise Beckwith as our City’s Australia Day Ambassador.

Penrith City Community News

April 2012

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ST MARYS CORNER TO OFFER STORY MAKERS’ PROGRAM The Story Makers program of school holiday workshops for children aged 7 to12 is on again this year at St Marys Corner, a venue which Council owns and runs. Children who enjoy making stuff—and making stuff up—will want to come to the workshops, which include writing, illustration, book-making and photography. The workshops will be led by some fantastic Western Sydney writers and artists, as well as some of Australia’s favourite children’s book writers and illustrators.

Taking ‘family’ as our broad theme, over the three 2012 school holidays, children will learn how books are put together from first idea to publication in a fun and creative way. At the end of the year’s program, a book showcasing the children’s stories, poetry, drawings, cartoons and photographs will be published.

The Story Makers program is presented by WestWords (the Western Sydney Young People’s Literature Development Project) in partnership

GREEN BIN BLOKE HITS THE STREETS The Green Bin Bloke program is the newest addition to Penrith City Council’s Waste Services team and was launched in February. The g friendly Green Bin Bloke will be riding reets; his motorscooter through the City streets; anics bins checking what is in the green lid organics to help residents with what they can and can’t put in their bins. with Penrith City Council. It is part of the St Marys Corner Kids at the Corner program of cultural events for children and families.

Each workshop will cost $6 per child, and family rates and discounts are available for booking the entire year’s program. For more information or for a program, contact WestWords via email at literature@blacktown.nsw.gov.au or mobile 0437 269 682.

INVESTMENT IN PENRITH CONTINUES APACE Penrith City continues to attract investment. $450 million of investment in Penrith City was approved in the 12 months to February, showing the City is well and truly open for business.

Penrith City Mayor Greg Davies said the development applications represent people’s investment and dreams, whether it is by building their home or their business.

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“The investments include building new houses, significant renovations on old homes, small business, large national and multinational businesses and infrastructure.

“This buzz of investment activity indicates the confidence developers, investors and homeowners are showing in our City and their preference to call Penrith home,” Councillor Davies said.

Penrith City Community News

When non organic material is placed in the green lid organics bin, it becomes a huge problem for the community and for Council. The te, garden green organics bins are for food waste, vegetation and other organic waste. If the organics bins are contaminated with plastic orr glass, the compost quality is reduced. We need this compost to maintain our parks and playing fields. clers, but we Penrith City residents are great recyclers, need everyone doing the right thing for it to work ste goes properly. If you are unsure which waste into which bin, please call Waste Services where staff can answer any questions, or post you a 3 bin information pack.

Penrith City Council and SITA Australia are offering Penrith City residents a chance to win a motorscooter worth $10,500. To enter, complete the adjacent entry form and send it to Council by Friday, April 27. The winner will be announced during International Compost Awareness Week in May. Entrants must live in the Penrith City Local Government Area and be aged 18 or over.

For more information call 4732 7615.

April 2012

Here's a hint – you should have 6 ticks and 6 crosses for each bin.

Do you do the right bin Identify the items that can and can’t go into each bin to go into a draw to WIN a new 2011 Piaggio MP3 300 Motorscooter, just like The Green Bin Bloke rides when he checks the bins in your street!

Tick R the items that should and cross S the items that should not go into the GREEN lid organics bin.

® Bread bag ® Beer bottles ® Chicken bones ® Drink cans

® Egg shells ® Garden prunings ® Grass clippings ® Leftover food in green compostable bags

® Meat ® Plastic bags ® Toothbrush ® Video tape

Tick R the items that should and cross S the items that should not go into the YELLOW lid recycling bin

® Bread bag ® Butter container ® Cereal box ® Drinking mug ® Fruit ® Grass clippings

® Newspaper ® Milk carton ® Pet food can ® Plastic bag ® Toys ® Yoghurt tub

Tick R the items that should and cross S the items that should not go into the RED lid residual garbage bin

® Chip packets ® Beer bottles ® Magazines ® Milk bottles ® Nappies ® Pet food can ® Plastic bags

® Polystyrene

foam ® Soft drink cans ® Tissue boxes ® Toothbrush ® Video tapes

Penrith’s Green Bin Bloke says…

No plastic – fantastic!

Please return this entry form by Friday, 27 April 2012 at 4pm to Penrith City Council: s (IGH 3TREET 0ENRITH OR s 1UEEN 3TREET 3T -ARYS OR By post: s 0ENRITH #ITY #OUNCIL 7ASTE 3ERVICES

PO Box 60, Penrith 2751

Entrant Details (entrant must be 18 years or over to be eligible to enter the competition) Name of entrant: Signature of entrant: Home address:

Daytime Phone No:

Terms and Conditions of the 'Do you do the right bin' competition (for the competition entry form): 1. The Promoter is SITA Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 70 002 902 650) of Level 3, 3 Rider Boulevard, Rhodes NSW 2138.

2. Information on how to enter and prize details form part of these conditions. By entering this competition, each entrant agrees to be bound by these conditions. Entries must comply with these conditions to be valid.

3. This competition commences on Monday, 13 February 2012 and closes on Friday, 27 April 2012 at 4pm (‘Competition Period’).

Entries received after the close of the Competition Period will be deemed invalid.

No responsibility is accepted for late, lost or misdirected entries or other communications.

4. Entry is open to residents of the Penrith City Council local government area who are 18 years or older. Employees and their immediate families of the Promoter and Penrith City Council and their respective agencies associated with this competition are not eligible to enter this competition.

5. Entry forms will be available during the Competition Period at Penrith City Council customer service centres, at Penrith City Council libraries, in local newspapers, at local events with a Penrith Council display stand and on the Penrith City Council’s website at www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au. Entry forms will also be mailed out upon request over the phone on (02) 4732 7615.

6. To enter, entrants must: (a) complete an entry form by accurately completing (i) all competition questions that relate to the Penrith City Council waste services provided at their residence (see clause 7 for further details), and (ii) the 'Entrant Details' section by providing their name, signature, phone number and home address; and (b) return the completed entry form during the Competition Period either in person to Penrith City Council at 601 High Street, Penrith, or 207 Queen Street, St Marys or by post to Penrith City Council Waste Services, PO Box 60, Penrith 2751. Limit of one entry per person applies.

7. Entry forms will be assessed according to the type of waste service provided to the entrant’s residence, that is 3 bin or 2 bin waste service.

Entrants residing at a property with a 3 bin waste service must correctly complete the entry form for all 3 bins (green lid, yellow lid and red lid) to be eligible for the draw.

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Entrants residing at a property with a 2 bin waste service can either correctly complete the entry form for 2 bins (yellow lid and red lid) or correctly complete the entry form for all 3 bins (green lid, yellow lid and red lid) to be eligible for the draw.

All entries will be assessed by Penrith Council Waste Services staff and all correctly completed entries will be placed into a random draw. The draw will take place at 2pm on Monday, 30 April 2012 at 601 High Street, Penrith. The first valid entry drawn by the Mayor of Penrith City will win the prize.

Prize is a new 2011 Piaggio MP3 300 Motorscooter, including a helmet, registration for 12 months and compulsory third party insurance for 12 months (total RRP of prize = $10,500). All other ancillary costs, including but not limited to insurance (other than Compulsory Third Party insurance), taxes (excluding GST) and any and all other expenses are the sole responsibility of the winning entrant. The prize will be delivered to the winning entrant’s residential address during Compost Awareness Week between 5 May 2012 and 12 May 2012. The winner will be required to visit a Scooteria dealership in Sydney following the delivery of the prize in order to sign the transfer of the registration papers as further advised to the winner.

The winning entrant will be contacted by phone within 2 days of the draw and his/her name will be published in the Penrith City Council column in the edition of the Western Weekender published after 30 April 2012 and at www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au during the month of May 2012.

If necessary, a second chance draw will be held on Monday, 14 May 2012 at the same time and place as the first draw. The winning entrant will be contacted by phone within 2 days of the second chance draw and his/her name will be published in the Penrith City Council column in the edition of the Western Weekender published after 14 May 2012 and at www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au from 16 May 2012.

The prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash. The Promoter’s decision is final and binding – no correspondence will be entered into.

For full terms and conditions, please visit www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au

PLAYGROUND VANDALISM: YOUR RATES WASTED Over the past six months, Penrith City Council has increasingly been battling senseless vandalism in our City’s playgrounds, which has cost ratepayers more than $10,000 in rates.

Penrith City Mayor Greg Davies said: “Vandals have been burning and damaging rubberised soft fall areas in our playgrounds.

“They are morons doing this. It renders the playground useless and they need to be closed. Council then needs to divert funds from other necessary projects to replace the rubber. Council provides 125 playgrounds for its residents.”

Council’s future strategy is to limit the number of colours, and therefore joins, in its soft fall areas.

Mayor Davies said: “Rubberised soft fall areas are essential to keep users safe.”

Mayor Davies encouraged residents who spotted vandalism at Council’s parks to call Council on 4732 7777.

FREE MOBILE PLAYVAN SERVICE Penrith City Council is encouraging parents and carers with children under six years old to take advantage of our free Mobile Playvan service that runs throughout the school term.

The Mobile Playvan offers two-hour play sessions hosted by trained early childhood professionals, including activities for children such as painting, craft, storytelling, music, ball games, puzzles, blocks, science and discovery activities and role playing. There is also a soft area with toys for babies.

For parents and carers, the service offers information on parenting and local services, resources that can be borrowed and an opportunity to meet others in their local area.

Enrolment is not necessary - just turn up to the play session of your choice with a drink, a hat and cut up fruit for your child.

This unique service has operated since 1982 and is one of the reasons Council is a recognised leader in providing quality children’s services.

The service visits Wallacia, Cranebrook, Claremont Meadows, North St Marys, Glenmore Park and a new playgroup in Jordan Springs.

For more information call 0419 976 917 or 4732 7799. For a daily recorded message about possible cancellations please ring 4732 7678. The Playvan will not operate on wet or very hot days.

Penrith City Community News

NEW ERA FOR CITY CENTRES Penrith and St Marys businesses and property owners will have a stronger hand in their business success now Penrith City Council has completed its Centres Management Review.

Penrith City Mayor Greg Davies said he was excited about the outcomes of the extensive review that will create new entities for St Marys and Penrith City centres.

“The review lights the path for Council to forge new and stronger supportive partnerships with each centre that will benefit local businesses, job creation and shopper and visitor experiences.

“The existing Penrith and St Marys associations have been in place and doing a great job since the late 1990s, but Council and the associations undertook the independent review to assess the performance of the centres in comparison with contemporary best practice nationally and internationally.

The review recommends: • revamped management and governance structures • the drafting of robust key performance indicators and • better reporting of outcomes, among other measures.

“These actions are the most effective way to ensure the centres’ ongoing revitalisation and viability.”

The City Centre associations are funded through a business rate Council collects on behalf of CBD property owners.

April 2012

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CITY RENEWAL IN FULL SWING Community buildings across the City continue to receive refurbishments.

The improvements have been made possible through a special rate variation (SRV), which was introduced last year.

Community groups, volunteer groups and other regular users of community halls and centres are benefiting from the renovations, which include new flooring, air conditioning, kitchen and toilet renovations and other improvements. They include: • vinyl laid in the Erskine Park Hall • internal painting at Floribunda Community Centre • kitchen replaced, toilets upgraded, water and energy saving fittings replaced and ceiling repainted at Mulgoa Hall • canteen upgraded at Parker St ovals (upper level) • children’s toilets upgraded at Cook Parade Child Care Centre – we also repainted the inside of this centre • a new kitchen installed at Ridge Park Hall The air conditioning will be replaced at the St Marys Queen St Centre in April and May. The latest boost to community buildings complements the work already undertaken by Council over the past The new kitchen at Ridge Park Hall few months to improve a wide range of infrastructure across the City.

GRAFFITI HOTLINE

1800 022 182 24 hours a day Penrith City Council 601 High Street Penrith NSW 2750 Report graffiti online

www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au

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FREE CALL Please phone this hotline to report graffiti in the Penrith Local Government Area

REPORT GRAFFITI ONLINE www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au When reporting graffiti, please tell us: Location of the graffiti Street address, and nearest cross street (If known) Type of property the graffiti is on eg, fencing, signage, play equipment Information to help us identify the property eg, private property, Council building, electricity installations, traffic signal box, public phone box, etc.

Penrith City Community News

ST MARYS CORNER: BRINGING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER WITH CULTURE St Marys Community and Cultural Precinct has become a thriving hub of activity, with more than 170,000 visits since its opening two years ago.

Penrith City Mayor Greg Davies said: “Our communities are seeing many benefits of Council’s $6.5 million investment to create this precinct as an important community and cultural hub for Western Sydney.”

A range of spaces and facilities are available for residents and groups to book including include meeting rooms and the larger hall spaces at the St Marys Senior Citizens’ Centre, St Marys Community Centre and St Marys Hall.

More than 100 people attended the ARTKIDS Exhibition, part of the Kids at the Corner Series at the precinct which offers creative programs for children. The exhibition displayed artworks which local children created over eight weeks in August and September last year as part of a groundbreaking pilot program that Council supported. Participants worked with clay, paints, wool sculpture, drawing and print making.

April 2012

IMPROVING ROADS NEAR YOU Council recently resurfaced parts of the following roads: • Floribunda Ave, Glenmore Park • Kingswood Road, Orchard Hills • Swallow Drive, Erskine Park • Kenneth Slessor Drive, Glenmore Park • Seventh Ave, Llandilo • Olive Lane, Cranebrook • Llandilo Road, Berkshire Park, and • Olin Close, Cranebrook

Swallow Drive, Erskine Park

PARK UPGRADES ARE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR Ched Towns Reserve resurfacing

Eileen Cammack Reserve Parks, ovals, fields and reserves across Penrith City have received major upgrades over the past six months to improve the quality, security and useability for residents and visitors.

Sporting teams, fitness groups, joggers, walkers and spectators benefit from the enhancements, some of which were made possible by Special Rate Variation funding.

Local sporting clubs also contributed to funding some of these projects. Completed projects include: • reconstruction of Rugby League Field at Ched Towns, Allsopp and Patterson Reserves • reconstruction of two football fields at Eileen Cammack Reserve • installation of new floodlighting at Ched Towns Reserve • installation of a new irrigation system at Doug Rennie Playing Fields • installation of new bore water system at Parker Street Reserve and Gow Park

Tench reserve fencing •

installation of shade structures at Surveyors Creek Baseball Field • construction of car park at Monfarville Reserve • replacement of synthetic cricket wickets at various locations • fencing upgrades to Mark Leece car park, Tench Reserve, Monfarville Reserve and Andrews Road Rugby Union field • upgrading of synthetic grass long jump runways at Jamison Park and Grey Gums Oval • installation of new irrigation system on Grey Gums Oval No. 2 • construction and installation of new judges stand and long jump runways at Blair Oval • tree planting program at Ched Towns and Surveyors Creek Reserve.

Council is grateful to the Glenmore Park Football Club, Nepean Progress Group, Cambridge Park Rugby League Club and Growing Greygums Committee for contributing funds to some of the projects through grants.

Llandilo Road, Berkshire Park

Penrith City Community News

April 2012

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MORE WAYS TO GET BETTER CONNECTED WITH COUNCIL Council has responded to the trend of people becoming more ‘mobile’ and using social media.

Council’s Facebook and Twitter accounts offer easy, convenient and informal ways to ask about local facilities and services and even discuss local issues without visiting the Civic Centre or calling Council during business hours.

Many people whose home, or heart, is in Penrith have also liked Council’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/penrith.city. council. By checking out their news feed, they can touch base with Council and their community and stay up to speed on activities such as events, roadwork, Bushcare volunteer opportunities and extra waste services happening where they live. Residents can also enter Council’s occasional free Facebook competitions.

For over a year, the community has been connecting with Council on the microblogging site, Twitter. More than 1,800 followers now receive bite-sized Penrith City news updates, having subscribed to Council’s tweets.

If you’d like to give more formal feedback or input into official Council decision making, visit www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au to see Council’s calendar of Monday night meetings and register your interest to attend in advance. You can also write to Penrith City Council at PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751.

For more information about Council’s social media call 4732 8203.

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FREE TRAINING BOOSTS LOCALS’ BUSHCARE SKILLS

Twelve residents attended a free Bush Regeneration Training morning at Huntington Reserve, Emu Plains in January.

After the training, volunteers told Council they had more knowledge about practical planting skills, weeds and how to remove them correctly as well as how to evaluate priorities.

Penrith City Mayor Greg Davies said: “This means attendees now know how to make a real difference to their native environment and can apply what they learnt in their own garden.”

Council’s Bushland Management Team needs

Penrith City Community News

volunteers to assist with maintaining 45 hectares of land under Council’s care.

“Current volunteers’ efforts are vital, but we really need more people to lend a hand. Full training is provided and no previous experience is necessary”, Cr Davies said.

Penrith City Council thanks the NSW Environmental Trust for its assistance.

For more information about Bushcare contact Janet on 4732 8088 or email jrannard@ penrithcity.nsw.gov.au or visit Council’s website www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au.

April 2012

COUNCIL’S TRAINEES FOR 2012 GET INTO ACTION FOR THE COMMUNITY

Graduating class of Council’s 2011 trainees

Forty-five trainees started at Penrith City Council in January with more expected to be recruited later this year.

Last year, 62 people completed their traineeship program at Council.

Current trainees are boosting their onthe-job skills in business administration, hospitality, information technology as well as sport and recreation.

Council’s 12-month traineeship programs offer great opportunities for school leavers, people re-entering the workforce or those looking for a new career.

Through the program they gain skills, experience and earn a TAFE qualification recognised across

Australia. Council pays their TAFE fees.

Council’s Human Resources Coordinator, Marnie Mitchell, said: “Our trainees also take part in our Career Coaching Program that involves a series of careers talks and a week’s work experience in two other departments of Council in which the trainee has an interest. The program provides a strong foundation of skills on which to build a successful career.”

Since 2000, Council has recruited 430 trainees with many choosing to continue their careers with Council.

To find out more about the traineeship program, visit Council’s website www. penrithcity.nsw.gov.au.

Getting fit and healthy...staying fit and healthy.

ARE YOU LOOKING TO LOSE WEIGHT AND HAVE A CHANGE IN LIFESTYLE? OR DO YOU SPECIFICALLY HAVE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS? t "SUISJUJT t 0CFTJUZ t 0TUFPQPSPTJT t .VMUJQMF TDMFSPTJT t %JBCFUFT t 4USPLF t $BSEJPWBTDVMBS EJTFBTF t 1BSLJOTPO T EJTFBTF

t .VTDVMPTLFMFUBM JOKVSJFT t -PX CBDL QBJO t 1PTU USBVNBUJD TUSFTT EJTPSEFS t $BODFS SFDPWFSZ

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Then the Exercise Physiologists at Ripples Hydrotherapy Centre can offer you Medicare, Workcover NSW or Department of Veteran Affairs approved supervised exercise sessions that are AT NO COST TO YOU*. The individualised exercise sessions can be completed in our Hydrotherapy pool, gym or heated swimming pools. If you would like any additional information please call Ripples Hydrotherapy Centre on (02) 9833 3075.

*conditions apply

Celebrate Autumn at home

Penrith City Council Vacation Care Program

For some great ideas on what you can do in Penrith Valley this Autumn call Council’s Penrith Valley Visitor Informa!on Centre on 1300 736 836.

Care for 5-12 year olds enrolled at primary school

See us in person at the Centre in the Panthers Car Park, Mulgoa Road, Penrith.

Open every day 9am4:30pm (excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day).

Pre-payment is required to secure your booking

Or visit our website: www.penrithvalley.com.au

ENROLMENT DATES Monday 19th March to Friday 23rd March

PROGRAM DATES Tuesday 10th April to Friday 20th April

To book please call your preferred centre For further information phone 4732 7836 or 4732 7838 Or visit www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/vacationcare to download enrolment form

Emu Plains: South Penrith: Werrington: Cranebrook: Glenmore Park: St Clair:

(02) 4735 4511 (02) 4732 4162 (02) 4731 6929 (02) 4729 1736 (02) 4733 5097 (02) 9834 4076

FREE

Multi Sports Gala Day Tuesday 17 April.

On the cricket oval behind Melrose Hall, Emu Plains.

Children must be enrolled in vacation care to attend Come along for face painting, tattoos, cartoon caricatures, hotdogs, fruit and ice blocks.

INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS CONTINUE TO BENEFIT PENRITH CITY

ARE YOU AGED 15 TO 19? WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT JAPAN THIS YEAR?

Council staff and the recent Korean delegation to Penrith City Penrith City’s international relationships with China and Korea continue to flourish with local business delegations to visit those countries in late March and April.

Council’s International Relations Officer Jill Turner said: “These developments herald the next step in the City’s international partnerships and follow on from Council welcoming delegations from South Korea and China late last year.”

The Penrith Business Alliance (PBA), is promoting Penrith and its City centre for would-be investors. It has been co-ordinating local business people to tour Penrith’s Sister Cities.

“The PBA will send a delegation to visit Kunshan in China to progress collaborations and to exhibit at the China International Import Expo at the end of March.

The delegation will take two booths at the Expo and will also meet with the Kunshan Chamber of Commerce,” Jill said.

The invitation to the PBA follows Penrith City Council late last year hosting a delegation from Kunshan Province in China with which the City signed a Friendship Agreement in 2003.

The November visit saw an agreement signed so that

the two regions will jointly promote medical research and collaboration as well as staff exchanges to generate significant health care, economic and social benefits.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the Nepean Hospital and the President of the First People’s Hospital of Kunshan.

Meanwhile, in April this year a small PBA delegation is off to Korea to further discuss economic and educational opportunities between that country and Penrith City.

The visit stems from an important Memorandum of Understanding signed late last year by Paul Brennan, PBA Chair and Jin-Soo Song, President of the Gangseo-gu Chapter of the Seoul Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Dr Hyun-Song Ro, Mayor of Gangseo-gu region in South Korea’s capital Seoul led the business delegation to Penrith. Gangseo District signed a Mutual Cooperation Agreement with Penrith City in 1994.

“The highlight of the recent visit to Penrith was the signing of the MoU. It will help promote mutual economic benefits and learning opportunities in areas such as health, education and technology,” Jill said.

Penrith City Community News

2011 exchange students from Penrith City in Japan The Penrith International Friendship Committee is looking for students to take part in its annual cultural exchange program with Penrith City’s sister city, Fujieda, in Japan.

If you are aged between 15 and 19, attend school or live in the Penrith Local Government Area, consider applying.

The three-week trip will take place in September-October and cost each participant about $2,000. You will live with a Japanese family, attend school and visit some amazing places. To apply, contact Jill Turner on 4732 7613 or email jturner@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au or visit the committee’s website, www.pifc.org.au for an application form. Applications close at 4pm, Friday, 27 April.

April 2012

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CELEBRATING THE 200 YEARS SINCE THE BLUE MOUNTAINS’ CROSSING

VENTURING INTO PENRITH’S HISTORY

Left to right: Ross Brownscombe, Dr Grace Karskens, Lorraine Stacker, Peter Finlay, Dr Professor Ian Jack

Get ready to retrace the footsteps of Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth in a trek to celebrate 200 years since the first successful crossing of the Blue Mountains.

Penrith City Mayor Greg Davies said the community can look forward to an exciting lead-up to the official celebrations next year.

“The path forged by Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth through the Blue Mountains in 1813 was to become a legendary part of Australian history. With the original voyage beginning at Blaxland’s farm at St Marys, the people of Penrith City can rightly get excited about the history that happened right here.

In May next year, three weeks of major festivities

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have been organised by Council and a community committee to mirror the explorers’ three week return trip.

Councillor Davies said: “A re-enactment trek, Family Camp Out by the Nepean River, historical festival and exhibition are just some activities planned to commemorate the 1813 event that was groundbreaking in every sense.

“There will also be celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of Emu Plains becoming a part of Penrith City.”

For more details on individual events, contact Council on 4732 7645.

Penrith City Community News

The crossing of the Blue Mountains and celebrating the first flights over Penrith City were the highlights of Penrith Library’s 11th Annual History Conference, The Makings of a City: Venturing Above and Beyond, held in March. The presentation,

by Dr Grace Karskens on Castlereagh and its development, gave us much food for thought and Dr Ian Jack’s keynote address set the tone for an informative day.

More than 100 people from across NSW and Queensland attended the conference.

Organiser and Penrith City Library’s Information Librarian Lorraine Stacker said: “The Nepean River was the launching point for many adventurers exploring the Blue Mountains in search of new lands for the fledging colony.” Lorraine also updated attendees on the History of Penrith Project. This authoritative history of the City, including interesting finds and a few humorous stories, will be launched later this year.

Council subsidised the conference to keep entry fees at a low $40 per head.

April 2012

NATIONAL YEAR OF READING Penrith City Council is celebrating the National Year of Reading. Events to be held in May include: Wed 16 and Fri 18: Two well known and popular writers will visit Penrith Library in the evening for Sydney Writers’ Festival events.

Wed 23 – National Simultaneous Storytime Council will also be encouraging more Penrith City residents to join the library as part of a new membership drive. Council operates four libraries: Central (Penrith), St Marys, Emu Plains and St Clair. Did you know that the Penrith and St Marys branches open seven days a week?

For more information about Council’s Library Services, visit http://www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/index.asp?id=41 or call 4732 7891.

LIBRARIES REACHING OUT TO HOMES About 850 items are delivered each fortnight to homebound residents through Council’s Home Library Service.

That’s thanks to Council’s special team of volunteers led by Outreach Services Librarian Julie-Anne Jones.

Residents, within the Penrith City local government area, who are aged, infirmed, isolated or have a disability can apply to have their library materials home delivered. A doctor’s certificate may be needed.

Books, talking books, magazines or DVDs are on offer for those who qualify for the service.

For more information, contact Julie-Anne on 4732 7612.

Home Library Service volunteers of a decade standing Morrie and Robin

ART EVERYDAY is a new exhibition space at Penrith City Library. It comes from the idea of the visual arts being easily accessible and linked into the EVERYDAY life of the City and its communities. This initiative builds new audiences, offers opportunities for artists and contributes to the cultural development of the City.

To find out more and to apply to exhibit your work, visit www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/ arteveryday or ring 4732 7746.

Penrith City Community News

April 2012

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City of Penrith

OFFICE LOCATION & SERVICES Penrith Civic Centre 601 High Street, Penrith Ph: 4732 7777 Fax: 4732 7958

Queen Street Centre St Marys 207-209 Queen Street, St Marys Ph: 4732 7777 Fax: 4732 7958

Email: penrith@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au

Website: www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au

Find out about free activities and get up-to-speed on what’s happening in your City! Sign up to Penrith City’s e-news − email enews@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au.

DON’T FORGET Members of the public are encouraged to attend Council meetings which are held at the Civic Centre. Ordinary meetings of Council are held on a Monday night on a 3 week cycle where practicable.

Policy Review Committee meetings are also held on a three week cycle where practicable. These meetings start at 7.30pm.

For a range of information on Council services visit our website: www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au.

INTERPRETING ASSISTANCE

If you do not understand the information in this document, please come to the Council and ask staff to arrange interpreter services.