QUESTION & ANSWER

Question & Answer



Question and Answers

Clean Technology Application

Council has recently been successful in its application for a $3.5M grant for an infrastructure upgrade to the Lawson Industrial Estate. This is the first step towards achieving the Clean Technology Business Committee's vision for the Estate to become a sustainable Blue Mountains Clean Technology Park. This is a staged project which is designed to create 350 local jobs over the longer term. Concurrently with the attraction of new businesses to the Park, existing businesses will be encouraged to implement best practice environmentally sustainable business practices.

The project was successful on the basis that it was 'spade ready' for implementation commencing in July 2010. The Council was able to submit the project for funding because of the extensive work already completed on required infrastructure improvements to the Estate. In particular, a Five Year Infrastructure Plan for the Estate was completed in 2004 on Councils behalf by J Wyndham Prince Pty Ltd in consultation with the community and key stakeholders. The grant application was developed based on this community endorsed and Council approved infrastructure plan, which assessed detailed requirements for kerb and guttering, sewer, stormwater, roads footpaths and landscaping in the Estate.

Following the announcement of the funding, the Federal Government sought further clarification of the details of the project. Consequently, it was indicated to us that they would like to see more environmentally sustainable outcomes of the project in line with a 'Clean Technology Park'. (Bruce 1999) As a condition of the grant, they have asked us to seek further studies on Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) before the project commences and we have developed a brief to attract appropriate companies to complete this work within the next 6 weeks. The results of the study may mean that further consideration be given as to the best way to integrate WSUD into the provision of infrastructure in the estate such as roads, kerb and guttering. Such environmental measures will position the development with a point of difference and attract further business interest into the Estate. The tender for this work was awarded to M & R Civil. The status of the works included in the tender is:

Reconstruction of the existing Orient St/Christabel St intersection; 50% of the intersection is now complete.

Construction of kerb and gutter and WSUD features in Christabel St between Orient/Cascade Sts; Work is well underway, approx 70% of kerb and gutter has been laid, 50% of the shoulders have been sealed. Tree planting and WSUD features will commence when concrete works have been completed.

Construction of kerb and gutter, shoulder seal and WSUD features in Cascade St between Christabel/Park Sts; Kerb and gutter is approx 90% complete, drainage works 100% complete.

Extension of concrete path up John St from Christabel St to the cycleway; Work is approx 60% complete, work has commenced on the ramp to Christabel St.

Extension of concrete path up Cascade St from Park St to the cycleway; Footpath from Christabel St to Honour Ave is complete, work on remaining section ...