Power On: Blaxland’s Electric Vehicle Charging Stations are Now Live

Blue Mountains City Council continues to support a more sustainable and accessible Blue Mountains with new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations now ready to use at Blaxland.

The six new Tesla Superchargers have been installed in the Hope Street carpark (12-24 Hope Street), Blaxland, for the convenience of EV owners from both near and far.

It is the second public charging station in the Blue Mountains, with the first EV charging site installed and managed by Australian EV charging station operator, Evie Networks, at the Council-owned car park off New Street in Lawson Town Centre.

The provision of the new superchargers aligns with Council’s strategic vision to build a more sustainable future for the region and to support tourism, by encouraging visitors with electric vehicles as their uptake increases.

Blue Mountains Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill, said: “As a world class visitor destination, and one that’s committed to green values, we need to make it as easy as possible for EV owners to visit the Mountains.

“EV numbers are expected to increase significantly in the next few years across Australia and are likely to become a mainstream transport choice. As a major regional attraction, we need to be prepared for this technology so we can take part in this major technological transport shift.

“With charging stations now at Blaxland, at the foot of the Blue Mountains, together with those already installed at Lawson, we are committing to a more connected, sustainable, healthy, and liveable City.

“These are also great stop-off points for visitors as they make their way up the mountains to any one of our amazing natural attractions. Stop-off, charge up, grab a coffee, duck in to pick up some shopping – it’s a boon for local business.

“I would also like to thank the many users of the Hope Street carpark at Blaxland for their patience as the installation of the chargers and associated electrical work was completed.” r The new Tesla Superchargers at Blaxland | Image [Above]/Article: Blue Mountains City Council [Top] Image: District Gazette

Have you ever wanted to try Square Dancing? Square Dancing classes are held weekly at Glenbrook in the Blue Mountains.

Hosted by Mountain Devils Square Dance Club, the classes take place every Friday night at 7:30pm at Glenbrook Public School Hall.

The current cost is $12 per person per class. When doing a new dancer class, the first night is free.

“Square Dancing is done in groups of 8. The starting formation is a square, so the dance is called square dancing. New dancers are introduced to basic steps. Dancers do not need to remember complicated routines, as they learn movements which the instructor calls in a variety of different formations” explained Ros Todd of Mountain Devils Square Dance Club.

“Existing dancers continue with a mainstream program, or for more advanced dancers, a Plus program. Our group has been running for 27 years with caller David Todd in the Blue Mountains” she continued. The classes are not structured around terms and are held all year round.

“We have a break from the weekly dance when there is a large state or national event taking place, which experienced dancers attend” Ros stated.

Square Dancing has been described as ‘fun and friendship set to music’ and it is through this that Ros first met her husband, David.

“David and I met square dancing many years ago, married and had children and are still dancing 50 years later. We have met and still have good friends that we travel with to square dances and enjoy holidays with them. I have always danced; ballet, tap, jazz, in younger years, and dabbled in ballroom and Scottish dancing” she reflected. It caters for a variety of age groups. Families are encouraged to attend, come with a friend, or come alone. Everyone is welcome. There are opportunities to make a new circle of friends.

Parents Corner

Article Written + Submitted by:

Monica Purcell | Family Facilitator

Nepean Community & Neighbourhood Services

W: www.nepeancommunity.org.au

E: info@nepeancommunity.org.au

Infant Mental Health Awareness Week: Can You Spoil a Baby?

The short answer is “no”! Even though this has long been a worry for new parents, the current science reassures us that there is no way to spoil baby. Babies who receive warm, sensitive, and responsive care from their parents get a much better start in life.

You may have been told it’s wrong to give “too much attention” to a crying baby. You are not the first parent to receive this advice! In 1894, a popular guide to parenting instructed its readers that “Babies under six months should never be played with: and the less of it at anytime the better for the infant.” But, as the science of attachment and child development has advanced, this myth has been totally de-bunked.

To the contrary, the more a child can rely on the emotional and physical availability of caregivers, the more independent they become in the long run. A child who knows their parent ‘has their back’ is unburdened to explore their world with full curiosity, tenacity and zeal. Exploration and play support children’s emotional, physical, social, and cognitive development.

On a physiological level, separation from a primary caregiver triggers a stress response in the baby’s nervous system. This stress response occurs not only in situations of physical separation. When a caregiver is close by physically, but their attention is elsewhere (e.g. staring at a screen), a baby’s stress hormones will naturally spike. Babies can withstand some separation, but pro-longed exposure to stress without recovery is toxic to a growing body and brain.

When distressed or uncomfortable, crying is a baby’s way of reconnecting with a safe adult who can attend to their needs. These needs may be physical (e.g. hunger, tiredness) or emotional (e.g. the need for safety, security, comfort). Beyond having immediate needs met, a baby needs consistency in knowing their needs will be met in the future. That’s why the current advice is to respond to your crying baby as much and as often as you can.

Infant Mental Health Awareness Week runs every June to highlight the importance of babies' emotional wellbeing and development. Find out more at aaimh.org.au.