Liveability Project - Revitalising Our Town Centres

Council is seeking feedback from the community on the seating that is proposed to be installed in Stage 1 of the Windsor Liveability project. The options that are provided both meet the Australian Standards for seating in pedestrian areas.

The submissions will close on Tuesday 24 October 2023.

Have your say here

The Council resolution on 18 April 2023 means that the north side of George Street between Tebbutt Street and New Street will also be paved.

Council is exploring three paver colours and would like to hear from you which colour you like best.

Vote in the poll on this page by Friday 30 June 2023 to have your say.

The Liveability project for Windsor Town Centre was recently placed on hold due to requests for changes in scope.

A Council meeting was held on 18 April 2023, where Council resolved to change the scope of the Liveability Windsor Town Centre project.

Since this meeting, Council staff have been working behind the scenes to continue progressing the project.

Stage 1 (Windsor Train Station to Fitzgerald Street) and Thompson Square

Stage 1 of the project (Windsor Train Station to Fitzgerald Street) and Thompson Square dining area will proceed as per the current plans, with some minor changes:

• The north side of George Street between Tebbutt Street and New Street will also be paved
• Careful consideration will be taken to ensure trees are planted in appropriate areas on the road and footpath
• New shade structures in Thompson Square dining area will be designed to be sensitive to heritage and the existing character of the area.

The plans are in the process of being updated to reflect these changes. Final endorsement will be sought from Councillors at the Council meeting on 11 July.

If the plans are endorsed, the tender process will commence to engage a construction contractor to commence work on Stage 1 and Thompson Square dining area. Once the contractor has been engaged, construction dates and scheduling will be made available.

Stage 2 (Windsor Mall)

Stage 2 of the project (Windsor Mall) will change. A new scope of work has been proposed, which is outlined below:

• The existing pavers and sandstone in Windsor Mall would remain. Broken pavers and sandstone would be repaired as required
• Gas lamps would remain where they are
• Old and broken street furniture would be replaced with new furniture that is sympathetic with the heritage character
• Some trees would be replaced with new trees. A variety of treatments would be considered to stop tree roots uplifting and damaging pavers
• Road crossings would be improved
• The meandering atmosphere of Windsor Mall would be maintained.

The new scope of work for Windsor Mall has not been confirmed and is dependent on approval from the grant funding authority.

If approval is granted, new plans will be developed to reflect the updated scope of work. The plans will be shared with Councillors at a future Council meeting and final endorsement will be sought.

Click HERE to view the final design package for the Richmond, South Windsor and Windsor Liveability Projects.

Hawkesbury City Council is trialling the installation of temporary parklets in the Richmond Town Centre.

While Windsor Street is currently a popular place to visit, it has few places for visitors to sit. These parklets will be green spaces for the community and shoppers to enjoy along Windsor Street. They will be another place to linger with a coffee, a book or just to relax.

Council is exploring new ways to increase the appeal and comfort of Richmond Town Centre, and therefore attract new visitors and more frequent visitation. This in turn helps local businesses.

This trial will help inform upcoming upgrade works in the town centre as part of Council’s Liveability projects. Feedback from the trial will be considered as part of a decision on whether to create permanent parklets in the centre. Submit your feedback HERE

Three locations are being trialled along Windsor Street:

· In front of Autumn & Thistle - 233 Windsor Street, Richmond from 15 November 2021

· In front of The Bank Bazaar - 290-294 Windsor Street, Richmond from 29 November 2021

· Crazies Café - 334 Windsor Street, Richmond from 13 December 2021

The parklets will be maintained by Council contractors with assistance of local shopkeepers.

The transformation of our Richmond, South Windsor and Windsor town centres will begin in early 2022.

The detailed designs are in the final stages, with extra care being taken to preserve and highlight the important heritage of our centres, especially in Windsor, and to ensure minimal disruption is caused during construction. These designs will be reviewed by Heritage NSW as part of the final approval process.

The next step is the tender process to engage a contractor for the construction. An Expression of Interest process will commence on 26 October. Interested contractors will be able to apply at https://tenders.nsw.gov.au/wsroc

The improvements across the three town centres include:

• Richmond Town Centre - tree planting, street upgrades including enhanced paving, parklets and crossing upgrades as well as park furniture and open space improvements.
• South Windsor Town Centre - realigned parking with compliant accessible parking spaces in Mullinger Lane, new and improved pedestrian crossings, lighting, water efficient garden beds, tree planting, improved footpath paving and street furniture.
• Windsor Town Centre - enhanced paving and street furniture which is sensitive to heritage and the existing character; tree planting and pedestrian crossing upgrades. Windsor Mall would receive an open space suitable for events and performances which will increase pedestrian activity, new upgraded paving, furniture upgrades, outdoor dining areas and tree planting.

All master plans and designs can be viewed at www.yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au/lptc

It is anticipated that works will commence in Richmond and South Windsor early next year with Windsor being in mid-2022. This is pending approvals from Heritage NSW.

A highlight of the works will be the planting of 319 trees to form ‘green boulevards’ along George Street at Windsor and South Windsor, and Windsor Street at Richmond. Where possible, these trees will be planted along the existing footpath verges, but in some areas they will be planted within the roadway itself.

Hawkesbury City Mayor Patrick Conolly said the tree-lined streets will help tackle urban heat in our City.

“These three town centres are important retail and leisure spaces for residents and visitors. They are great spaces to shop, dine, be entertained and relax,” Mayor Conolly said.

“With the inclusion of more enjoyable outdoor seating and gathering spaces, we want more people to linger longer and be excited to come back.

“The addition of more trees will also help cool our town centres, provide shade for pedestrians and wildlife, and improve the visual appearance of the streets.

“I am looking forward to the vision coming to life and seeing our centres transformed.”

Western Parkland City Liveability Program

This project is supported by the Western Parkland City Liveability Program and funded by all three levels of government via the Western Sydney City Deal. The Western Parkland City Liveability Program is a key commitment of the Western Sydney City Deal. The City Deals Liveability Program was established to enable each Council to implement a project to provide infrastructure improvements that will improve the built and natural environments and enable economic and social prosperity.

For further information about the Master Plan and Public Domain Plan, Liveability Project, ‘Revitalising Our Town Centres of Richmond, South Windsor and Windsor’, visit www.yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au/lptc or contact Council’s Manager, City Design and Economic Development on (02) 4560 4444 or email council@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au

Geotechnical work is about to commence at Richmond and South Windsor as part of the Western Parkland City Liveability Program which aims to revitalise the town centres of Richmond, South Windsor and Windsor. Geotechnical work for Windsor will occur at a later date.

The contracted geotechnical engineers will test the existing ground conditions in the town centres on Thursday, 2 September and Friday, 3 September 2021. This will involve the drilling of several geotechnical investigation boreholes in test locations which will range from 100 to 200mm in diameter. The holes will then be backfilled and resurfaced.

Plans indicating the testing site locations are available here.

Council is upgrading the public spaces of South Windsor, Richmond and Windsor with funding from the Western Parkland City Liveability Program, a joint agreement between Federal, State and Local governments.

Concept designs for all three town centres can be viewed here.

Big changes are coming soon to Richmond, South Windsor and Windsor town centres with more trees, and improved community and pedestrian spaces.

The projects are being funded through the Western Parkland City Liveability Program, a joint agreement between Federal, State and Local governments. Hawkesbury City Council nominated the revitalisation of Richmond, South Windsor and Windsor town centres as its three projects.

Council engaged Place Design Group to deliver the detailed design for revitalising the town centres of Richmond, South Windsor and Windsor. The concept designs are now on Council's community engagement website, Your Hawkesbury Your Say at www.yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au for the community to view.

The designs celebrate the existing heritage of these three town centres while improving the public places to boost and support the charm of the Hawkesbury region. The designs have specific aims for the town centres of Richmond, South Windsor and Windsor:

• Richmond - to be a vibrant cultural destination that attracts tourists locally and from across the state
• South Windsor - to be an updated contemporary town centre that provides for the needs of the local community and supports local businesses
• Windsor – to attract visitors to the centre by preserving and enhancing the natural and built heritage

Under the plans, mature trees will be planted in all three town centres to create a magnificent 'green boulevard', while pavement and pedestrian safety improvements will encourage visitors to walk and remain longer in our town centres.

Hawkesbury City Mayor Patrick Conolly said the changes will improve the environment, enhance the towns’ reputation as great places to visit and support local business.

“We want to both mitigate climate change and make long-lasting positive improvements to the Richmond, South Windsor and Windsor town centres,” Mayor Conolly said.

“We know that Western Sydney already experiences extreme heat in summer and we are looking to futureproof the liveability and economic stability of the Hawkesbury.

“By planting street trees we can also reduce the reliance of cars by creating shaded spaces visitors are excited to visit and experience on foot.”

These improvements also meet Council's environmental sustainability targets (reduced temperatures and increased biodiversity).

The improvements include:

• Richmond Town Centre - tree planting, street upgrades, parklets and crossing upgrades as well as park furniture and open space improvements and an informal path to Richmond Post Office Site.

• South Windsor Town Centre - realigned parking with compliant accessible parking spaces in Mullinger Lane, new and improved pedestrian crossings, lighting, water efficient garden beds, tree planting, improved footpath paving and street furniture.

• Windsor Town Centre - enhanced paving and street furniture which is sensitive to heritage and the existing character; tree planting and pedestrian crossing upgrades. Windsor Mall would receive an events and performance space which will increase pedestrian activity, new upgraded paving, furniture upgrades, outdoor dining areas and tree planting.

Council has taken community feedback into account and as a result, Council is looking to plant the new trees in existing footpath verges wherever possible. Where this is not possible, new trees will be planted in the existing roadway in new small garden spaces, with every effort made to protect as much on street parking as possible.

Western Parkland City Liveability Program

This project is supported by the Western Parkland City Liveability Program and funded by all three levels of government via the Western Sydney City Deal. The Western Parkland City Liveability Program is a key commitment of the Western Sydney City Deal. The City Deals Liveability Program was established to enable each Council to implement a project to provide infrastructure improvements that will improve the built and natural environments and enable economic and social prosperity.

For further information about the Master Plan and Public Domain Plan, Liveability Project, ‘Revitalising Our Town Centres of Richmond, South Windsor and Windsor’, visit yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au or contact Council’s Manager, City Design and Economic Development on (02) 4560 4444 or email council@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au

As part of the Western Parkland City Liveability Program, Hawkesbury City Council has engaged Place Design Group to deliver the detailed design for revitalising the town centres of Richmond, South Windsor and Windsor.

Place Design Group’s design component of the Liveability Project will bring the Masterplan vision to fruition. The design will celebrate existing heritage and enhance public places through public domain upgrades, activation initiatives and place-making, with the aim to re-energize the charm of the Hawkesbury region.

The Design Phase of the Hawkesbury City Council’s Master Plan and Public Domain Plan ‘Revitalising Our Town Centres of Richmond, South Windsor and Windsor’ has specific aims for the town centres of Richmond, South Windsor and Windsor:

Richmond – to be an Activated Cultural Destination

South Windsor – to be an Updated Contemporary Town Centre

Windsor – to focus on River Heritage, Civic Boulevards and Vibrant People Places.

Once the detailed design is completed, it will be placed on Council’s community engagement website, Your Hawkesbury Your Say at www.yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au

Western Parkland City Liveability Program

Council has created this project to revitalise the town centres of Richmond, South Windsor and Windsor through public domain upgrades, place-making and activation initiatives, stakeholder partnerships and commercial opportunities. This project is supported by the Western Parkland City Liveability Program and funded by all three levels of government via the Western Sydney City Deal. The Western Parkland City Liveability Program is a key commitment of the Western Sydney City Deal. The City Deals Liveability Program was established to enable each Council to implement a project to provide infrastructure improvements that will improve the built and natural environments and enable economic and social prosperity.

For further information about the Master Plan and Public Domain Plan, Liveability Project, ‘Revitalising Our Town Centres of Richmond, South Windsor and Windsor’, visit www.yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au or contact Council’s Manager, City Design and Economic Development on (02) 4560 4444.