FAQs
Why create a Community, Cultural and Civic Precinct?
The Wollondilly Community Cultural and Civic Precinct is an important and transformative project for Picton and the wider Wollondilly Shire community. The Precinct will provide contemporary community and cultural facilities. It will address existing gaps in community and cultural space as well as considering increased demand from the Shire’s growing population.
What is the vision for the Precinct?
The Wollondilly Community, Cultural and Civic Precinct seeks to provide a multipurpose and flexible community space that supports a diversity of community, cultural and civic activities and attracts a wide range of community members, businesses and visitors.
The Precinct would also be a community gathering place that provides a safe and inclusive venue for a wide range of formal and informal events and activities.
It will be designed to reflect the values and aspirations of the Wollondilly community. The Precinct would provide ongoing community and business benefits and would adapt and change to support the needs of the growing and evolving Wollondilly Shire community.
Why has Picton been selected as the location for the Community, Cultural and Civic Precinct?
What benefits is the Community, Cultural and Civic Precinct expected to provide?
What is the timeframe for delivering the Precinct?
Delivery of the Cultural, Community and Civic Precinct will involve five main stages as follows:
» Stage 1 (2020 – 2024) - Demolition and relocation of some services, new car parking at Council depot site, refurbishment of the Shire Hall, and construction of the new community and cultural centre including performance space and a new mixed community and commercial building
» Stage 2 (2020 – 2025) - New Council administration building and public domain works across the Precinct and to Colden Street and Manolis Lane
» Stage 3 (2024 – 2027) - Demolition of existing Council building and creation of new town square village green
» Stage 4 (2027 – 2028) - Construction of new library and learning centre and repurposing of existing library into children’s services / community spaces
» Stage 5 (2040) - Extensive public domain works, structured parking and further commercial buildings.
What is the project expected to cost and how will it be funded?
Council is seeking $10.7 million from the Round 2 Western City Parkland Liveability Program to assist with delivery the first stage of the Community, Cultural and Civic Precinct.
The first stage of the project is valued at approximately $14.9 million and is focussed on delivery of key community and cultural spaces including a refurbished Wollondilly Shire Hall, a community and cultural centre including a performance space, a new mixed commercial and community building and additional parking spaces.
If the Liveability Program funding application is successful, Stage 1 will be delivered within four years using a combination of Liveability funds ($10.7 million) and developer contributions already collected by Council for community facilities in Picton.
The proposed new Council administrative building will be pursued in Stage 2 and is not funded through the Liveability Program. Funds required for this would be separately provided. For further details please click here.How much car parking will the Precinct provide?
A number of existing car parking spaces will be replaced as part of the Precinct development. In turn, new car parking will be provided in a number of locations on, or in close proximity to, the site. There are 335 public parking spaces on the site now. On completion of the project Council aims to have more than 400 parking spaces available for the town centre of Picton.
FAQs from Stage 1
- Large multi-functional spaces
- A smart technology fitted co-working space
- An indoor-outdoor space for functions, performances, festivals and events
- A ‘Wollondilly Connect’ centre/innovation hub for Government, industry and learning institutions
- A courtyard space for markets, events and activities
- A learning and engagement studio
Why is Council wanting to build a community, cultural and civic precinct?
What could the Cultural, Community and Civic Precinct include?
The Cultural, Community and Civic Precinct would be a Shire wide asset that would enable people to access a range of opportunities not currently available. It could provide mid-range concert and conference facilities and space for community groups, community outreach and arts and culture. Some options include:
Why do we need an upgraded Council Administration Centre?
The existing administration centre is ageing, in poor condition, does not meet current standards for accessibility and has reached capacity. Council’s staff are currently distributed across a range of other substandard sites and buildings (e.g. overflow staff space was required to be created in recent years in the RFS building on the corner of Colden Street and Menangle Street). The ability for Council to provide the services it needs to the rapidly growing community will be compromised without tackling the need for a new administration facility in the short to medium term.
The proposed new Administration Centre would not be funded through the Liveability Program. Funds required for this would be separately provided. The “liveability funds” do however provide an opportunity to achieve economies of scale by bringing together both proposals (the Cultural, Community and Civic Precinct as well as a new Administration Centre) together as an integrated redevelopment.
Why aren't you spending the Liveability funds on fixing the roads?
The parameters of the Liveability Program funding means that Council can not spend the money on any type of asset maintainence which includes fixing our roads.
Information about the Liveability Program
- The Wollondilly Community, Cultural and Civic Precinct
- Tahmoor Regional Sporting Complex
- Appin District Skate Precinct
- Installation of outdoor exercise equipment at eight locations across the Shire
- Provide public infrastructure that improves the lives of residents in the Western Parkland City
- Improve access to quality public open space and preserve the natural environment
- Support and improve access to social and community infrastructure
- Create connected and inclusive communities
- Support cultural diversity
- Enable and complement new housing supply to support greater housing choice in the Western Parkland City.
What is the Western Parkland City Liveability Program?
The Western Parkland City Liveability Program is a key commitment under the Western Sydney City Deal. It has been established with contributions of $60 million from the Australian and NSW governments and $30 million from the eight councils of the Western Parkland City. The eight councils of the Western Parkland City will equally share the $150 million Program funding.
What will the Liveability Program do?
The Program will fund a range of Council led projects that support the Western Parkland City, by creating neighbourhoods that are liveable, creative, sustainable and healthy.
Wollondilly Shire Council is proposing to complete four projects under the Liveability Program including:
What are the Liveability Program objectives?
The objectives of the Program are to: