Council continues to support Blue Mountains businesses and the local economy after bush fires and COVID-19 pandemic
It has been estimated that almost 2,600 jobs were lost in the Blue Mountains following recent bush fires, resulting in a gross turnover loss of nearly $560 million.
The economic effects of COVID-19 are still unfolding, but there is no doubt the pandemic is having a negative impact and will compound the downturn, and prolong the recovery time of the Blue Mountains economy.
We have responded to recent disasters with a raft of programs and financial support for local small businesses across the City.
In addition to support for small businesses, Council has put strategies in place to keep Council staff safe and employed. We are one of the largest employers in the region and 86 per cent of our employees call the Blue Mountains home.
In a win for local pensioners, Blue Mountains City Council endorsed a Domestic Waste Rebate at the Council Meeting on Tuesday 28 April.
The newly approved rebate will provide an additional $20 per year, starting 1 July 2020, and increasing to $60 per year over 3 years. This is in addition to the existing annual rebate of $250.
The rebate will be funded by the Domestic Waste Charge, payable by all Blue Mountains ratepayers. This rebate will increase the Domestic Waste charge by approximately $3.74 in the first year, increasing to approximately $11.22 by the third year.
Council has also written to the NSW Government requesting that their contribution to the pension rate rebate scheme be increased.
Blue Mountains City Council has seen a 15% reduction in emissions since 2015/2016, based on emissions performance in 2018/2019.
As one of only a handful of Councils in NSW to declare a climate emergency, Council’s Carbon Abatement Action Plan (CAAP) – adopted in 2016 – has become the backbone of the City’s carbon reduction strategies.
A reduction target of 20% was set for 2022, however, an ambitious ‘stretch target’ of a 30% reduction has since been adopted along with a commitment to be a net zero emissions organisation by 2025. The current rate of emissions reduction sits at 15%.
Mother's Day virtual market showcases Blue Mountains makers
The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre is moving its popular Wollemi Artisan Markets online this Mother’s Day.
This new virtual marketplace will showcase the talented stallholders that visitors would usually see at the markets on the Viewing Platform, at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre.
Launching Saturday 9 May, we are encouraging shoppers to call or Zoom with your Mum for a scroll through the market stalls to select the perfect gift for her, together.
Products will include bath and body, stationery, handmade homewares and apparel, as well as heaps of great products for kids.
Waste Management Facilities reopen for community use
A phased reopening of both Blaxland and Katoomba Waste Management Facilities began on Thursday 30 April.
Both facilities are now open to residents between 8am – 4.45pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. To ensure the safety of staff and the community, strict restrictions will apply.
Blaxland Waste Management Facility will also continue to be open for normal kerbside domestic waste collections, booked bulky waste services and business contractors Mondays to Saturdays, until further notice.
The current NSW Government Public Health Order limits all travel outside of your home to essential travel. With this in mind, and to minimise queues at the Waste Management Facilities, Council is urging residents to delay any work that will generate large volumes of waste, and avoid making trips to the Waste Management Facilities unless it is essential.