LITHGOW NATIONAL TIDY TOWNS APPLICATION 2010/11
LEETON NATIONAL TIDY TOWN APPLICATION 2007
LITHGOW COMMUNITY ACTION/ PARTNERSHIPS
LEETON COMMUNITY ACTION/ PARTNERSHIPS
LITHGOW continues its dedication and consistent commitment to the
Tidy Towns program.
LEETON, situated in the heart of the state’s rich, Riverina region, continues
its dedication and consistent commitment to the Tidy Towns program.
LITHGOW’s dynamic Tidy Towns Committee has been active in coordinating
a broad range of projects since the 1980’s winning numerous awards along
the way.
LEETON offers a wide variety of experiences. Designed by renowned
architect, Walter Burley Griffin, the town is a showcase of contemporary rural
living with its art deco heritage, diverse agricultural industries and welcoming
country hospitality. The town’s streetscapes are colourful and well designed
with extensive facilities for litter collection as well as butt disposal.
LITHGOW boasts numerous Olympians and Commonwealth champions with
one of their most famous, Marjorie Jackson, the LITHGOW Flash, is
encapsulated in a statue in the CBD’s well designed and busy, Cook Street
Plaza.
The high participation rate of numerous groups in improvement programs
and activities is impressive. From service clubs to community groups to
individuals caring for and maintaining their city.
LITHGOW’s Tidy Towns Committee which besides initiating their own
projects, plays a supporting role for numerous other voluntary groups
and their initiatives within the community.
Live Well LITHGOW is a healthy lifestyle initiative which is co-sponsored by
LITHGOW City Council and Sydney West Area Health Service, is aimed at
encouraging the community to live healthier lifestyles. The Live Well
LITHGOW Challenge and festival has successfully engaged with the local
community through a range of activities and developed partnerships with a
host of groups.
The Greater LITHGOW Arts Council has developed a partnership with Delta
Electricity over numerous years to recognise cultural achievement in the
LITHGOW Local Government area. Awards are presented for excellence in
performance, competition or promotion of the Arts each year.
Partnerships between Council, service clubs, environmental and community
groups are outstanding and ensure a sustainable future for residents and
the numerous tourists who visit LITHGOW each year.
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LEETON’s Tidy Towns Committee is a well established group which
besides initiating their own projects, plays a coordinating role for
numerous other voluntary groups within the community since 1981. It
also plays a cooperative role in preserving and enhancing the environment
for the benefit of residents and the many thousands of tourists who visit
and pass through each year.
A unique LEETON approach has been the Friends of Tidy Towns initiative
which sees members of the community get involved in projects without the
need to attend committee meetings. The Tidy Towns Committee is keen to
recognise community contributions in keeping LEETON neat and tidy. As a
result, regular awards are presented to residents and shopkeepers who
maintain and keep their property tidy. Other awards are also presented to
recognise business and school community contributions.
LEETON Council leads by example and encourages the community to
ensure that homes and private gardens are well maintained. It also ensures
that approaches to town, including signs, public parks, gardens and sporting
areas, footpaths, verges and median strips are well looked after.
The LEETON Visitor Information Centre, situated in a wonderfully restored
residence and set in the spectacular gardens is considered one of the
outstanding centres within the state. The centre proudly displays past Tidy
Towns awards on a LEETON Tidy Towns ‘Walk of Fame’ to the many
thousands of visitors to the centre each year.
LEETON Shire Council’s slogan promotes its commitment to the community
– Preserving the Past. Enhancing the Future.
LITHGOW NATIONAL TIDY TOWNS APPLICATION 2010/11
LEETON NATIONAL TIDY TOWN APPLICATION 2007
LITHGOW LITTER PREVENTION
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LEETON RESOURCE RECOVERY/LITTER & WASTE MANAGEMENT
LITHGOW’s Tidy Towns Committee has developed a strategic approach to
litter management after realising highways were not safe places for
volunteers. After negotiations with Council and RTA responsibility now lies
with them to ensure areas leading into LITHGOW are free from litter.
Resource recovery initiatives are a feature of LEETON’s commitment to
effective waste management. A broad range of waste minimisation
initiatives are in place and accepted by the community with the aim
being an overall reduction of waste to landfill.
LITHGOW is now relatively free of litter with the community self managing
litter removal together with residents taking greater responsibility for picking
up litter on their daily walks. Tidy Towns members also get actively involved
in regular cleans up of areas in and around LITHGOW.
LEETON’s waste management strategy aims at sustainable practices in
waste reuse, avoidance and resource recovery. The development of the
town’s landfill and recycling facility enables the community to be
involved in the separation of a broad range of waste materials.
Clean Up Australia Day continues to be a highlight to encourage
LITHGOW’s residents to participate in helping to keep the community
free of litter. Extensive voluntary involvement ensures a strong partnership
continues between the community and Council.
A unique partnership has been formed with a commercial operator at
LEETON’s Landfill and Recycling site to enable the composting of green
materials together with other suitable organic materials.
LITHGOW RESOURCE RECOVERY & WASTE MANAGEMENT
Resource recovery initiatives are a feature of LITHGOW’s commitment
to effective waste management. A broad range of waste minimisation
initiatives are in place and accepted by the community with result
being an overall reduction of waste to landfill.
Besides a broad range of other materials collected via a kerbside system,
green waste collections are also offered to residents. The mulched waste is
mixed with bio solids and reused as compost within the city’s parks
and gardens.
LITHGOW Council has been removing discarded bitumen from the Roads
and Traffic Authority (RTA) as they re-construct their highways. It is mixed
with gravel and used as road base on rural roads. Over 100 000 tonnes
of bitumen was recovered the past year with the community welcoming
the 100% recycled product which is sustainable and ongoing.
LITHGOW’s waste management approach aims at sustainable practices
in waste reuse, avoidance and resource recovery. The development of
the city’s landfill and recycling facility will enable the community to be
involved in the separation of a broad range of waste materials.
The depot operators also encourage the recycling of a broad array of
materials including computers, furniture, toys, etc which are then resold
through a recycling shop. Community education campaigns support the
approach to sort materials prior to disposal to landfill.
To encourage further resource recovery initiatives, a public recycling facility
is also strategically positioned within the community to assist with reducing
waste to landfill.
Clean Up Australia Day continues to be a highlight to encourage
LEETON’s citizens to participate in helping to keep the community free
of litter. Extensive voluntary involvement ensures a strong partnership
continues between the community and the Shire. However, numerous other
Tidy Towns clean ups are conducted throughout the year with black spots
monitored by the active Tidy Towns committee.
LITHGOW NATIONAL TIDY TOWNS APPLICATION 2010/11
LEETON NATIONAL TIDY TOWN APPLICATION 2007
LITHGOW ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION & INNOVATION
LEETON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION & INNOVATION
LITHGOW Council is proactive in encouraging and promoting environmental
conservation and is involved in many projects throughout the community.
Council also encourages the high level of volunteer support, engaging with
numerous community volunteers.
Fivebough and Tuckerbill swamps are wetlands of international significance
as designated under the Ramsar Convention. The swamps are cooperatively
managed as a result of partnerships between the LEETON Shire Council,
local Catchment Authority, government departments, local Aboriginal Land
Council, Birds Australia, educational institutions and interested organisations
as a demonstration site. It looks to promote the coexistence of waterbird
conservation with flood mitigation, grazing, sewage treatment and
ecotourism. The site also acknowledges and respects the cultural
significance of the wetlands to the local Wiradjuri people.
A major attraction for LITHGOW is the surrounding escarpment and its
native vegetation. The hills were denuded by chemical fallout from smelters,
belching heavy industry chimney stacks and coal burning from home heating
appliances. These polluting industries gradually closed and the last coal
mine within the urban area closed in the late 80’s.
Areas were replanted under Tidy Towns initiatives with trees propagated
from the LITHGOW Community Nursery.
The bush swamps in and around LITHGOW, in particular the Newnes
Plateau Shrub, is a unique vegetation community and is protected as they
are listed as endangered.
As a result, extensive community and government coordinated efforts are
cooperatively managing the threats of human and feral animal intervention.
Vast areas are being restored and the active Swampwatch network engages
the community in monitoring any damage, etc within the swamp system.
LITHGOW’s Community Nursery, a Tidy Towns initiative, is a voluntary
organisation with a part time horticulturist, and a group of volunteers, have
collected local seed, raised and sold over 600 000 plants over the past ten
years. The plants are making a remarkable difference to the environment in
and around the LITHGOW district.
Highlight of interpreting and sharing the Fivebough and Tuckerbill wetlands
was the community’s annual two day Bird and Nature Fair which included
guided tours of the Ramsar site, nature based trade exhibitions together with
an extensive selection of seminars and lectures.
LEETON Shire Council recognises the threat of climate change and the
importance of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. Achieving Milestone 5
in the Cities for Climate Protection program has required council to identify
the current level of emissions from its own operations and the community,
set targets to reduce these emissions and develop and implement action
plans to meet these targets.
Approx 95% of LEETON’s parks, reserves, median strips and cemetery are
watered by raw water. The system has extended the life expectancy of the
town’s Water Treatment Plant which has created direct savings due to the
reduced need to treat potable water.
LITHGOW NATIONAL TIDY TOWNS APPLICATION 2010/11
LEETON NATIONAL TIDY TOWN APPLICATION 2007
LITHGOW WATER CONSERVATION
The community is aware of the need for effective water conservation and
have accepted water restrictions during drought to proactively manage water
resources.
CATEGORY NOT SPECIFIED IN 2007 LEETON APPLICATION.
Clarence Colliery, in dewatering their underground coal mine, treats and
pumps to their adjacent reservoir. Depending on their own needs, up to 5 ML
daily can be released into Farmers Creek above the water treatment plant.
Currently 1.5ML is being released effectively drought proofing LITHGOW
through the very severe drought period with some restrictions being
imposed.
Local Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa, the first 6 star luxury resort in
Australia, harvests all the stormwater required for their needs. The resort’s
wastewater initiatives are the first approved private water recycling scheme
in New South Wales. Wastewater from the recycling plant is of such a high
quality that it can be used around the resort for irrigating gardens, lawns and
recreation areas.
Numerous community organisations and businesses are involved in a host of
water conservation projects including installation of rainwater tanks, water
saving devices together with water reuse and recycling initiatives.
LITHGOW ENERGY INNOVATION
Local corporate organisation, Delta Electricity is trialling the burning of
Mallee timber pellets in its furnaces to reduce greenhouse gases. Their goal
is to reduce use of coal by 20%. Trees are grown in the district and
pelletised. Mallee trees are also having a positive effect on salinity in
the district. Road transport to the power station is reduced also assisting to
cut back emissions.
Geo-thermal heating is used at the LITHGOW Community Hospital with
water heated in underground pipes. Less energy is used to top up the heated
water for patient’s showers, etc and to heat the hospital during winter. Auto
light control infra red movement detectors also assist with saving electricity
use.
LITHGOW open air swimming pool is heated through renewable energy
use using water pipes on the kiosk roof. A community group undertook
the project in partnership with Council.
CATEGORY NOT SPECIFIED IN 2007 LEETON APPLICATION.
LITHGOW NATIONAL TIDY TOWNS APPLICATION 2010/11
LEETON NATIONAL TIDY TOWN APPLICATION 2007
LITHGOW HERITAGE & CULTURE
LEETON HERITAGE & CULTURE
Maintaining LITHGOW’s proud heritage is important to residents.
Heritage restoration is a major priority with many fine examples of the
preservation of cultural and historic features.
Notable highlight is that LEETON was designed originally by renowned
American architect, Walter Burley Griffin, who also went on to design the
nation’s capital, Canberra.
LITHGOW City Council has worked closely with their community and
generated phenomenal interest in a new heritage trail entitled ‘Furnace
Fire & Forge’. The trail reinforces LITHGOW's importance as a focus for
coal mining, minerals processing, manufacturing and railway heritage.
The trail’s educational initiatives effectively connect the community
with its rich history.
Maintaining LEETON’s proud heritage is important to the community.
Heritage restoration is a major priority and managed on a large scale.
Numerous fine examples of the preservation of cultural and historic
features are scattered throughout the community.
(This statement was copied almost word for word from the Agenda Item
3 (Page 16) of the Minutes of the Policy and Strategy Meeting of the
Lithgow City Council held on 1 May 2006.)
Numerous buildings have been restored and preserved with new
buildings constructed in a similar style to complement the existing and
unique architectural design.
The iron industry was established in LITHGOW in 1875 when a blast furnace
was erected to manufacture pig iron. By 1900 LITHGOW had produced the
first steel manufactured in Australia.
From the stylish Roxy Theatre, the community’s restored heritage listed
multi-functional centre, to the numerous large water tanks situated
throughout the town, this classic art deco style is proudly and uniquely
retained for the enjoyment of current and future generations.
LITHGOW celebrates its cultural heritage through numerous annual events
and festivals. The Ironfest has established itself as a major heritage
celebration and attracts up to 15 000 visitors celebrating 18th Century battles,
jousting and lots more.
Numerous historic facilities recently celebrated their Centenaries including
the opening of the railway tunnels, Smalls Arms Factory Museum, Eskbank
House, State Mine and Railway Heritage Park.
Many heritage buildings have been restored including the Union Theatre,
Station Master’s residence, Eskbank House, Theatre Royal, Union Building ,
State Mine and Railway Heritage Park and more. The world famous Zig Zag
Railway operates daily and carries approximately 75 000 passengers each
year.
LEETON’s historic art deco style is a feature throughout the community.
Aboriginal culture is also shared and interpreted particularly through the local
Wiradjuri people and their role in establishing the Fivebough and Tuckerbill
wetland which acknowledges and respects the cultural significance of the
wetlands and in particularly promoted through the Budyaan Baamirra Centre
situated at the wetland site.
LITHGOW NATIONAL TIDY TOWNS APPLICATION 2010/11
LEETON NATIONAL TIDY TOWN APPLICATION 2007
LITHGOW YOUNG LEGENDS
LEETON YOUNG LEGENDS / ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Environmental education programs are a key element within
LITHGOW’s education system.
Environmental education programs are a key element within LEETON’s
education system.
LITHGOW’s schools have an ongoing commitment to environmental
care as well as visual improvement programs. From recycling
programs to litter reduction approaches and planting programs, the
city’s students continue to learn about ways to reduce their impact on
the local environment for a sustainable future.
In particular, Saint Joseph Primary School is a major participant with
students, teachers and parents being great contributors to environmental
activities.
Transition from school to work education programs assists with addressing
binge drinking among young people, reduces boredom amongst people
through provision of better services as well as providing scholarships for
young people.
Notable highlight has been the installation of a gross pollutant trap which
provides a water recycling facility, supported through the Federal
Government’s National Water Initiative program.
Besides collecting pollutants from stormwater, the system provides an
effective educational link to the importance of recycling water.
The LITHGOW City Band and the Pipe Band encourages and teaches young
people to play instruments.
As the project develops, injection of excess water into the council’s systems
is a real possibility.
LITHGOW is a sporting town and has numerous young people playing
hockey, soccer, footbath and netball each week
Other schools within LEETON have an ongoing commitment to
environmental care as well as visual improvement programs. From
paper recycling programs to litter reduction approaches and planting
programs, the town’s students continue to learn about ways to reduce
their impact on the local environment.
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PURPLE = FALSE AND MISLEADING MISREPRESENTATIONS