Hornsby Shire Council has been Highly Commended at the Institute of Public Works and Engineering (NSW) Excellence Awards. The northern Sydney council received the award for the upgrading of its Cherrybrook Community Centre.
Key features of the centre upgrade include a new meeting room and upgrades to existing meeting rooms, improvements to toilets and access ramps to increase accessibility, and new purpose built toy stores and storage areas.
The facility also comprises a childcare centre specifically developed to address a lack of childcare places for children under three in the Cherrybrook area.
The upgrade was constructed in line with Council’s Community and Cultural Facilities Strategic Plan using low maintenance materials.
This plan provides a framework for decisions about the development of Council’s community and cultural facilities.
Low maintenance materials were used to reduce running costs. Paints which are low in Volatile Organic Compounds were used
to improve the internal air quality of the centre, while recycled water is used throughout the building.