Bilpin District Community News Page

Bells Line of Road Business Council Inc (BLOR Business) held an inaugural networking luncheon on Tuesday 21 February 2023 hosted by Archibald Hotel Kurrajong Heights.
Over 50 people representing 40 businesses along, or off, Bells Line of Road attended the event welcoming the chance to share concerns about common problems and opportunities for mutual benefit.
BLOR Business vision is to build a thriving and diverse regional corridor to live, work and enjoy for residents, visitors, and travelers alike.
The Council was formed in 2022 and aims to improve existing networks and channels of cooperation between small and micro local businesses and all tiers of government.
The Council provides information, advice, and support on matters of concern to its membership and lobbies government with suggestions for improvements to policies and procedures that will help small, and micro businesses survive in this difficult economic time.
Recently the Council made representations to the Minister for Planning Anthony Roberts regarding regulation of Agritourism and Farm Gate visitation.
BLOR Business President Marg Tadrosse owner of the Bilpin Fruit Bowl said: “We visited the Minister in NSW Parliament and then he came to Bilpin so he could better gauge the impact of what the Government was proposing. Our exchange was positive, and we obtained changes that will help local micro and small businesses.”
“The Council executive meets monthly and its proposed to hold quarterly networking meetings to provide information, discuss matters of mutual interest and give support to businesses in these tough times.”
You can contact the BLOR Business Council via the website to find out when the next meeting is. Go to www.bellslineroad.com.au or by email blorbusinesscouncil@gmail.com

For the first time in living memory, which is over half a century, a koala was found dead on the carriage way of Mt Lagoon Road, apparently killed by a passing vehicle. Another Koala body, reported on Facebook, was found on Bells Line Road at Kurrajong Heights.
Mt Lagoon has a koala colony that has been studied by Sydney University for the past decade. The RFS Mountain Lagoon backburn conducted during the Black Summer Fires burnt much of the colony’s territory and one Koala body was found after this fire.
Concerned that Koala’s are about to enter our endangered species list, local Wildlife Warrior Dani Warner resident of Mt Lagoon asked Hawkesbury Council to install electronic warning signs along local roads at known wildlife crossings.
“The solar powered signs flash on dusk alerting motorists to the possible presence of wildlife crossing the road. This is the current best method we have for trying to prevent road deaths” says Ms Warner.
Council rejected the request saying they didn’t have the funds to do this.
“Instead, they have installed more of the static ineffective signs, which may make Council Officers feel better but did nothing to prevent the recent deaths.”
Mt Lagoon residents are consulting with their Kurrajong Heights neighbors about what can be done to help protect our local colonies.

Any person wanting to enjoy the recently renovated Bilpin Park should drive there. Bells Line Road has a turning lane allowing vehicles to safely enter and exit the park. The same can’t be said for pedestrian traffic.
“I walked my 7- and 11-year-old grandchildren up to the Park along the new footpath and then had to leave this path, make our way down a bank then dash across Bells Line Road to get into the park and do they same routine in reverse when leaving” said Bilpin resident Lichell Maris. “It’s ridiculous, something needs to be done to improve access for residents who want to walk to their local park.”
The community was originally consulted about a footpath linking the Bilpin Hall and park. Council then asked Bilpin Regional Action Group (BRAG) if it could be located on the opposite side of the road to these public facilities.
This controversial decision has resulted in 8 properties having a concrete pathway pedestrian access to the Bilpin CBD while members of the community with vehicles are able to safely drive to the park.