Jordan Springs Newsletter - Spring 2022

From little things, big things grow. That’s why it’s so important to start with the younger residents in our communities, to ensure they grow up the become sustainability champions. Lendlease Regional Sustainability Manager, Lisa Smoleniec and Jordan Springs Social Sustainability Manager, Greg Belle, recently visited year six students at Jordan Springs Public School to discuss what it takes to create a holistically sustainable community. “This visit was our opportunity to lay the foundations of what a wholly sustainable community means, and how we achieve that here in Jordan Springs,” Greg said. Students were encouraged to come up with their own ideas of what a sustainable community looks like before drawing up their masterplan with pen and paper. Teaching our future generations about the importance of sustainability Lendlease is committed to leading the evolution of our industry to be truly sustainable – environmentally, socially and economically. 5 Noro’s music therapy nourishes the hearts and minds of local little ones It’s no secret that little ones love to get up and groove to a catchy beat, but did you know it can be beneficial for their brains? Noro Music Therapy was established over 30 years ago, working with children with disabilities in the Western Sydney region. In 2022, the NDIS-registered provider offers a variety of music therapy services for the young and young-at-heart to support their health and wellbeing, with all ages and abilities welcomed. Identifying that babies and toddlers could especially benefit from this type of therapy, the team at Noro wanted to create a special 10-week babies and toddlers’ program. Belinda Leonard, Chief Executive Officer of Noro said many parents don’t have the time or capacity to enable their children benefit from participating in live music. “There is so much evidence to support the benefits of babies and toddlers participating in live music making, although our busy lives often mean that we don’t have enough opportunities to do so,” said Belinda. “Music contributes to better memory and cognitive skills, developing neuropathways and setting our small humans up for a lifetime of learning and development. Additionally, making and listening to music releases a healthy dose of endorphins, the so-called ‘happiness hormone.’ So, it has benefits for parents and carers participating in the program too.” Noro’s babies and toddlers’ program involves bringing parents or caregivers together with their children to make music together, using a variety of instruments to introduce new sounds, textures, and colours. Egg shakers, castanets and guiros are some of the little ones’ favourite instruments to make music with. The program is delivered weekly, with the vision for it to be delivered in Jordan Springs’ range of green, outdoor spaces. Due to weather constrictions, the sessions have been moved to Noro’s clinic space in Penrith. This program was funded by Lendlease’s Jordan Springs Community Grants program, which has provided Noro the much-needed funds to provide this service. “We are so grateful for the funding that enables us to run this program,” said Belinda. “Funding enables participation from a wide diversity of participants, several of whom would be otherwise unable to participate in the context of cost-of-living pressures which bite harder for single income families raising young children.” The next round of funding from the Jordan Springs Community Grants program opens January 2023. Follow the Jordan Springs Facebook page for more updates – www.facebook.com/myjordansprings. East West Connector Road update Construction continues on the East West Connector Road with further progress made on the planting, footpath and roadworks between Jordan Springs, Ropes Crossing and Dunheved. We remain committed to delivering this important piece of infrastructure for the community as soon as possible. October 2022 - East West Connector Road.