The future of one of the Hawkesbury’s best-known heritage attractions has come into focus, with Hawkesbury City Council unanimously supporting a Conservation Management Plan for Australiana Pioneer Village at Wilberforce.
All 12 councillors voted in favour of the item at Council’s October 13 meeting, following public exhibition of the draft plan between August 19 and September 16.
The plan provides a framework for protecting the village’s historic buildings, landscape and cultural heritage while guiding future improvements and development.
It addresses building conservation, flood risks, traffic management, vegetation and the long-term use of the site.
The village, located on Wilberforce Road, is an important community attraction, preserving buildings and artefacts that tell the story of the Hawkesbury’s early European settlement.
However, adopting a conservation plan is only one step towards ensuring its long-term future.
Questions remain about how much funding will be required to maintain and restore historic buildings, who will pay for the work and when improvements might be undertaken.
The future role of the Friends of the Australiana Pioneer Village, whose volunteers have contributed significantly to operating and maintaining the attraction, is also an important consideration.
For residents, volunteers and visitors, the challenge will be turning Council’s conservation objectives into practical outcomes.
