Jason Green spoke on expanding the Lithgow tennis courts on behalf of the Lithgow Tennis Club.

“Stage one improvements include a new hitting wall, four hot shots courts and smaller playing courts. Stage one improvements would cost approximately $80,000-$100,000.”

The Union Theatre’s lack of dressing rooms and appropriate backstage area is an ongoing challenge to performers, Leo Vliegenthart told councillors.

“This has resulted in their being a lack of opportunity for young performers in dance, performers in musical theatre,” he said. 

“Lithgow is also bypassed by travelling performing groups and visiting artists.”

Julie Murnane spoke on behalf of LINC (Lithgow Information and Neighbourhood Centre) and its dire need for new office space. 

“Currently there are many [managers] sharing one small cramped space.”  

“LINC is bursting at the seams. The organisation has outgrown the present space and urgently needs bigger premises.” 

Barbara Bretherton, speaking on behalf of the Portland Progress Association, argued a case for an investment in Kremer Park. As well as work to the grandstand and canteen, she argued that the Lime Street playground needed urgent attention. 

“It has fallen into quite bad disrepair with the fencing. It needs to be looked at – it’s quite dangerous at the moment… And with the RV site being quite well used now it’s not really showcasing what we have.” 

Plans for a new grandstand are currently before council for approval. It is designed to blend in to the new toilet block that has been constructed. 

“I’ve got a lot of letters of support for this project, from the school, senior and junior rugby league, from the cricket association.”

Danny Whitty said a refurbishment of the Wallerawang facility would take a lot of pressure off the ovals at Lithgow as well as offering a vital service.

“Conditions of existing facilities are abysmal,” he said. 

“The point to take is that with the men and women now playing league, the women play there, they’ve got nowhere to change or shower because the men are getting dressed to play and that’s appalling.”

Hosting public festivals and events including the Daffodil Festival poses a challenge as the village is not equipped with a public toilet, Col Hunter said. 

“The Rydal village is growing all the time and the Daffodil Festival brings a number of people to the village and those people come back later in the year. And there’s no public toilet facilities. ‘

“The hotel has toilets but they’re shut three days of the week.”

“While the showground has become the home of Ironfest, we believe there’s an opportunity to embrace a far more enticing backdrop and something more in keeping with our festival in Blast Furnace Park and Lake Pillans,” Ironfest president Rich Evans said

To be a viable option, the site would require public toilets and three-phase power. It would effectively double the space available to the existing Ironfest event. 

The University of Notre Dame asked for funds to be contributed to the formation of a community hub. 

“Our vision – Lithgow Community Hub – is to have a place where the community feel well, safe, to seek health and wellbeing assistance,” Kim Cama, president Aboriginal Education Consultancy in Lithgow, said 

Dr John Dearin said the hub arises out of a need and the considerable shortage of mental health services in the region.

“There are high rates of self harm in the local district – 306 per 100,000 versus 135 per 100,000 in the rest of NSW. This is a serious problem.”

Kate Hurrell, Three Tree Lodge CEO, made a presentation on a dementia day care community service, which would offer respite for people caring for their family members at home.  

“Research indicates about 75 per cent of people living with dementia actually live within the community and and most of these are being cared for informally by family members,” she said. 

Having these services would promote Lithgow as an attractive place for people to stay in their old age and a place to move to retire. 

Cassandra Hawkins, president Lithgow Croquet Club, asked council to consider extensions to its playing field, re-turfing of the surface, and expanding the clubhouse. She said sport was vital for Australians of all ages.  

“It is good for physical and mental health and help prevent the isolation that many older Australians suffer.”

The changes would equip the club to host state and national championship competitions.

Rhonda Collins spoke on turning the disused Tony Luchetti netball courts into an educational bicycle and road safety centre. 

She said the courts’ position, close to vital community assets, made them a perfect location. They have not been used since 2004.

“The grounds are now used for the dumping of sand and disused materials, leaving it unsightly,” she said.