Not just a car park: New project dedicated to boy lost in tragedy

MAKAYLA MUSCAT

Anew commuter car park, footbridge, pathway and plaque dedicated to a local schoolboy opened in Emu Plains last Friday.

“This project is more than just a car park,” said NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen.

“Transport for NSW have worked with families, local schools and the community to create a safe walking route along Old Bathurst Road, helping people avoid a busy and dangerous intersection.”

The NSW Government funded a 220-metrelong footpath to improve pedestrian connectivity between the railway station and Nepean High School, as well as a parking facility with 750 spaces, which opened alongside Emu Plains Railway Station.

There is also a cast bronze sculpture named ‘buru’ (wallaby) by local Darug artist Hayley Pigram, which sits prominently at the car park entrance, and represents a living connection between past, present, and future.

Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown, attended to unveil the project which honours Rhys Walker, a 17-year-old and former Nepean High School student, who was killed in a tragic accident 12 years ago.

“I’ve been a resident in the Emu Plains area for well over 35 years and I have family who go to Nepean High School, so for me, this is very personal,” she said.

“We’ve got this wonderful footbridge which links across Old Bathurst Road.

“It’s a health and safety issue, and it just gives that level of comfort for the community to know that they can safely cross this road now, especially for kids going to and from school.”

A government spokesperson at the opening said over 1000 workers were employed on the project and approximately 110,000 work hours were spent on the construction of the car park.

“These additional car spaces for will make commuting easier for customers who choose to use public transport,” she said.

“I can’t begin to imagine the pain Rhys’ family has endured and I hope this small gesture today will help bring solace and meaning to what was a tragic and senseless accident.”

The new footpath was included in the project after the community called for safety and access improvements around the station following the student’s death.

The Walkers said it has been important for their family to be involved in a process of trying to find a safer alternative for students and the community to reach the station.

“We are very grateful that the path has been built in Rhys’ memory and encourage the community to use and appreciate the legacy of our much-missed son,” the family said.

For over two years, Lloyd Weston has let his two macaws, Rocket and Blueberry, free fly almost every day. But, with Rocket now missing, it’s time for the Penrith community to step up.

Despite growing up in Penrith, Weston recently relocated to Dubbo, and was just in the area visiting family when tragedy struck last Tuesday.

“The two of them fly every day, it just seems like wedge-tails are a bit more curious of them,” he said.

“About six of them saw them hovering in the distance, and of course I call these two back, but they ignore me because they want to go for one last fly, and then Rocket’s just disappeared into the Mountains.”

Over the past week, Weston has continued to take Blueberry out to assist in the search, flying around and calling for Rocket.

What’s been most helpful, Weston said, is that the local community has rallied around him in this difficult time, contacting him with sightings via his Facebook page, which currently has almost 2000 followers.

“It’s really helpful to let us know where he is, because they are creatures of habit and routine,” he said.

“The more sightings you get, the better it is, but you need visual sightings, because it helps me track locations he’s going to. If he’s found food in particular locations, he’ll be visiting them all the time.”

At this point in time, it’s anticipated that Rocket is located in bushland around the Emu Plains and Lower Blue Mountains areas, although there have been potential sightings everywhere from the Nepean River to Cranebrook and Leonay.

Describing Rocket as a ‘gentle giant’, Weston is encouraging everyone to look out for his long tail and bright colours flying over Penrith, or hiding in the bush. But, with Blue and Gold Macaws able to fly over 40km in a day with ease and fly at speeds over 50km/h, he’s taking sightings with a grain of salt.

“The biggest issue is that they’re such good flyers, so when you’re trying to track them, if you get a sighting somewhere, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s going to be there by the time you drive even 10 minutes down the road,” he said.

“It’s more about routine, and even when I take [Blueberry] out, hoping that we get lucky.”

Weston said that his birds fly at canopy or tree top level, and are able to fly within the canopy making them hard to spot when they don’t want to fly high. However, they’re most likely to fly within the first three and last three hours of sunlight.

For updates or to report sightings, check out Weston’s Facebook page, Rocket and Blueberry – B&G Macaws.