Tidy Towns assessor Doug McDonald visited Lithgow on Friday to soak in the sites submitted as part of Lithgow’s bid for the title of the state’s ‘Tidiest Town’ in 2018.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Entering four or more projects for individual awards in Keep Australia Beautiful’s competition automatically puts towns in the running for the overall ‘NSW’s Tidiest Town’ award, for which Lithgow will competing against five other localities: Jerilderie, Murrurundi, Tilligerry Peninsula, Cessnock and Wagga Wagga.
Chairperson of Lithgow Tidy Towns Sue Graves said Lithgow’s projects this year were “all about sustainability”.
Mr MacDonald began his Lithgow excursion at Maiyingu Marragu (Blackfellows Hands) where work by the Mingaan Wiradjuri Aboriginal Corporation has seen educational signage, steps for easier pedestrian access and fencing installed to encourage respectful interaction and conservation of the site.
Mr MacDonald was then escorted to the Lithgow Railway Workshop, where, under the management of Tim Elderton, the world’s first solar powered passenger train was completed in October of last year. The next stop was Blast Furnace Park where council representatives spoke on the preservation of the industrial ruins.
“What the council has as the long term vision, is that across here we’ve got a railway that ends up at the state mine museum, that connects with Eskbank house and Zig Zag Railway,” Mayor Stephen Lesslie said.
He thanked Lithgow residents such as Lithgow Historical Society researcher Ernie McKenzie who were integral to the site’s continued existence.
“It’s good people in the town who have taken the time, interest and responsibility doing this.”
Finally, Mr MacDonald was shown the new pipeline from Clarence Colliery that was installed to top up Lithgow’s water supply.
“Lithgow is the envy of other places where drought is heavily impacting across NSW,” Ms Graves said.
Mr MacDonald said he would be looking to reward communities actively improving their town’s environment.
“Tidy Towns is giving recognition to the communities who are creating projects that bring their town back to life.”
The winners will be announced on November 10 in Orange.
Lithgow won Tidiest Town in NSW in 1997 and 2010 and the Australian Tidiest Town in 2011.
Related stories:
