July Edition 2024

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Parking Madness

After years of upheaval due to COVID-19 and flooding, small businesses in the Hawkesbury – the backbone of the local economy – have been doing it tough. Foot traffic is down, and the cost of living crisis is keeping customers away. However, businesses say that rather than looking for ways to assist them during these times, rules and regulations imposed by Hawkesbury Council are making it harder.

Businesses in the main shopping strips of Richmond, North Richmond, and Windsor say the parking rules –which make no allowances for business owners who need to park all day – are costing them dearly and making it nearly impossible to operate on a daily basis.

Nicola Hayford-Hobbs, owner of Hawkesbury Herbs on Windsor St, Richmond, said the lack of all-day parking for business owners is infuriating.

Local businesses around shopping precincts in the Hawkesbury are increasingly angry over ongoing parking issues impacting their operations and bottom lines. Owners are repeatedly fined for parking near their own businesses, forcing them to frequently move their vehicles throughout the business day.

“We have a limited section of all-day parking, which fills up quickly. If you get here by 8:30 am, all the spots are gone. The rest of the parking is either one-hour or four-hour, which means we have to move our cars constantly. This is incredibly disruptive, especially when we can’t leave our shops unattended,” she said.

Hayford-Hobbs estimates that the parking fines have cost her and her two staff about $5,000 over the past three years. “The worst time is Christmas. You can’t run errands within an hour, and there’s no leniency from the parking officers. They don’t care that I can’t close the store if there are three people in there,” she said.

Other small business owners who spoke to the Hawkesbury Post echoed her concerns. They also said they had raised the matter with the council, but to no avail. When asked about the problem, a Council spokesperson said Council has not received “official” requests for longer parking for local businesses. “Council has not received any official requests by business owners or workers at North Richmond to allow them to park for longer periods of time,” the spokesperson said.

“The success of local businesses relies on a high turnover of parking within customer car parks such as the one at North Richmond. Council supports these needs by enforcing timed parking limits at this car park,” the spokesperson added.

Continued on page 12

Kurrajong’s Laura Jones wins Archibald Prize. See page 35

Local equestrian legend, Colleen Brook honoured.

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To the Editor

Recently, I had the opportunity to listen to leading water scientist, Professor Peter Cullen on ABC radio, where he discussed solutions to the flooding issues downstream from Warragamba Dam. Australians generally resist desalination and wastewater recycling, yet these methods are widely accepted elsewhere.

Professor Cullen proposed a second desalination plant to alleviate pressure on Warragamba Dam, suggesting the dam should be maintained at around 65% capacity. He argued that raising the dam wall is a futile solution, which I agree with. Before considering raising the dam wall, we should evaluate the dam’s actual capacity, considering the buildup of silt. Surveying and removing this silt could increase storage capacity at a fraction of the cost of raising the wall, avoiding destruction of habitats and heritage sites.

I support Professor Cullen’s suggestion. In December 2022, he highlighted the severe consequences of current dam management: Warragamba Dam was spilling massive amounts of water, leading to deaths, destruction of property, and repeated flooding.

My question is: where is the State Government’s response? Mr. Minns, previously the Shadow Minister for Water and now the NSW Premier, must address this urgent issue. The government’s recalcitrance has left residents vulnerable to frequent flooding, which was supposed to be a rare occurrence.

Premier Minns, it is time to act decisively and protect downstream communities from further damage due to mismanagement of Warragamba Dam. This is an emergency that requires immediate attention.

Let’s get it done, Premier!

Mark Hay

EDITORIAL

Government Finally Wakes Up

The proposal to introduce low and medium-rise housing in the Hawkesbury was destined to fail. The histor-

Letters to the Editor

To the Editor

Dear Chris Minns Premier of NSW and Rose Jackson – Minister for Water

We, farmers, and landholders of the Hawkesbury region, write to you with a deep sense of urgency and desperation. Our livelihoods and futures have been devastated by the eight major floods we’ve endured in recent years. These floods have cost us tens of millions of dollars, threatening the very survival of our businesses and our livelihoods.

Leading water expert, Professor Stuart Khan, has identified a critical failure in flood management that could have spared us much of this devastation. Professor Khan said that if Warragamba Dam had been lowered by 12 meters before the recent flood event, nearly 800 gigalitres of flood mitigation capacity would have been created. This would likely have prevented the dam from overflowing and kept the North Richmond Bridge from closing. “Almost certainly there would not have been an uncontrolled release from Warragamba,” Professor Khan said. While every flood is unique, most of the floods in the past eight years could have been reduced if this precise action had been taken. Warragamba Dam has significantly contributed to the severity of these floods.

During the latest June flood event, termed ‘The Dry Flood,’ most of the floodwater originated from Warragamba Dam rather than local rainfall. Despite minimal local rainfall, we experienced a flood a whisker shy of a major 10.5 metres. It is horrifying

ical significance of the area aside, the real issue is the government’s delayed realisation of what it means to build on

to imagine the devastation we would have faced had there been significant local rainfall as well.

We, the residents, farmers, and businesses of Hawkesbury, urgently need your help. The next flood could be just months or even weeks away; we cannot wait any longer. We applaud the government’s announcement to rethink its water security policy – including doubling the capacity of Sydney’s desalination plant and maintaining Warragamba Dam at 80 percent capacity – to ensure the city’s drinking water supply while mitigating flood risk. However, these measures will take years to implement, during which time we will face many more floods, incurring millions of dollars in damage and lost business. Many of us simply will not survive.

We call on you to urgently change the laws to allow the Full Supply Level (FSL) of Warragamba Dam to be lowered ahead of major rain events and predicted flooding. This action is crucial to reduce the likelihood of the devastating floods we have experienced over the past four years.

We are not just fighting for our businesses; we are fighting for our homes, our community, and our futures. The cost of inaction is far too high. We urge you to take immediate and decisive action to mitigate the impact of future floods. The livelihoods of thousands in the Hawkesbury depend on it.

Kind Regards, Angelo and Alannah Santangelo, Robert and Meg Pizzey, Jess and David Micallef, Neale Tweedie, John Marshall, Diana Rea, Adam Tolhurst

Please email your letter to info@hawkesburypost.com.au

Australia’s most dangerous floodplain. Time and again, we have witnessed the ruling government prioritise development over preservation, but the devastating floods have finally forced a reckoning.

The Hawkesbury has been spared from the NSW Government’s plan to increase housing density through the Low-and Mid-Rise Housing State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP). This policy aimed to allow residential buildings of up to six storeys, townhouses, and smaller apartments in areas traditionally restricted to lower-density housing, focusing on boosting supply near town centres and train stations.

Local opposition was unanimous, with Hawkesbury Councillors highlighting critical issues such as flood risk, heritage preservation, and inadequate infrastructure. After experiencing eight floods in four years, it is clear that increasing the population in this unique, beautiful yet perilous floodplain is grossly negligent.

Today, the NSW Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure announced the exemption of the Hawkesbury from the proposed SEPP. This decision reflects a necessary acknowledgment of the severe flood risks and the need to protect both current and future residents.

Hawkesbury Council welcomed the decision, stating it was a win to preserving the area’s heritage and community feel and the proposed reforms would have jeopardised this balance. Ultimately, the exemption recognises the reality that no government has yet addressed: without substantial changes to flood mitigation laws, the magnitude and devastation of floods in the Hawkesbury will remain unchanged. This week’s announcement is a step towards a more responsible and realistic approach to urban planning in floodprone areas but without bold policy and urgent mitigation reform, the Hawkesbury’s fate remains unchanged.

Editor, Samantha Magnusson sam@hawkesburypost.com.au

Bird Flu Confirmed at Second Hawkesbury Farm

At the end of June, more than 320,000 chickens were destroyed in the Hawkesbury region to prevent the spread of bird flu, following confirmation of the disease at a second poultry farm.

The CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness confirmed the presence of the H7N8 strain at the second property, NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty announced on Saturday. The second affected farm is within a restricted biosecurity zone, just 1.5km from the first infected farm in Freemans Reach, where the virus was detected on June 20. The two strains found in Hawkesbury are identical but differ from the virus affecting farms in Victoria.

Authorities estimated it would take up to a week to cull 240,000 birds at the first farm and approximately 87,000 birds at the second.

Moriarty said that the H7N8 strain found in NSW is not the H5N1 strain causing global concern. “Proactive surveillance from the NSW Government’s Biosecurity Incident Response team has confirmed a second case of High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) on a poultry farm within the Hawkesbury biosecurity control zone,” Moriarty said. “The CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness has verified a positive result for HPAI H7N8. This farm is located within the restricted zone, 1.5km from the first infected site identified on June 19. The virus here is different from the one impacting farms in Victoria. Importantly, the NSW cases are not the H5N1 strain causing global concern.”

Moriarity said that the swift response from biosecurity teams enabled rapid surveying, testing, and detection of the second site, which had been locked down since June 19.

“This type of avian influenza is highly infectious in commercial poultry, and detecting sites within the control zone was always a possibility. The Government will continue testing at various sites,” she added.

The biosecurity team is collaborating closely with the poultry industry under

Avian Influenza NSW 2024 Map of NSW emergency zones

established national response protocols to manage the outbreak. Moriarty acknowledged the industry’s cooperation, which has been crucial in handling the situation.

Eggs and poultry meat remain safe for consumption if handled and cooked correctly.

Authorities urge the public to report any sick or dead birds, including domestic poultry or wild birds, by calling the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline at 1800 675 888.

Efforts to Preserve Colonial Drain

Revealed by Windsor Sinkhole

Hawkesbury City Council (HCC) is working with heritage experts to conserve a colonial drain uncovered by a sinkhole that emerged near the Hawkesbury River in early June.

The two-meter-deep sinkhole, which appeared on The Terrace between Fitzgerald and Kable Streets in Windsor on June 2, 2024, revealed a historic brick barrel drain at its base. The sinkhole is adjacent to a pedestrian footpath, directly opposite the river. The site has been secured and remains closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Repairs are estimated to take 8-10 weeks.

Hawkesbury City Council (HCC) announced on Facebook that the repairs will be conducted under the guidance of heritage experts. “The repairs will be conducted under the guidance of heritage experts and we are currently awaiting their assessment report so we can finalise our repair designs,” HCC said on Facebook.

“Our heritage is important, and it is worth protecting. We understand that this adds more time and complexity to what would otherwise be a simple repair and is also an inconvenience to locals and motorists. We ask that everyone please be patient and follow the detours and signs,” HCC added.

Conservationists have welcomed the Council’s efforts to preserve the colonial drain, especially given the loss of much colonial heritage during the construction of the new Windsor bridge, including the demolition of the Old Windsor Bridge built in 1874 and the debasement of Thompson Square.

Geotechnical experts and stormwater engineers are conducting invasive investigations at the site, working alongside heritage professionals to determine the appropriate remediation methodology. An excavator is currently on-site, and the Council’s Operations team continues to monitor site safety until repairs commence.

The emergence of the sinkhole has drawn attention to the extensive and unrepaired riverbank damage in the area, which has suffered significant land collapses over years of flooding. Recent rains have exacerbated the damage, which remains cordoned off from the public. Repairs to the riverbank at Howe Park and on The Terrace walking path are funded through the State Government’s Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Package. HCC said designs for the repairs are underway, with work expected to commence in October, “weather permitting.”

Boosts to Flood Funding in the Hawkesbury

The New South Wales Government has unveiled a plan to enhance flood preparedness and emergency response capabilities across the state. The initiative involves a $94.7 million investment in the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) over the next four years, mainly focusing on high-risk areas such as the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley and the Northern Rivers.

The announcement follows the release of the 2024 Hawkesbury- Nepean River Flood Study 2024 – one of NSW’s most comprehensive flood studies ever undertaken. It found the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley has one of the highest flood risks in Australia.

Announcing the initiatives on 23 June in Wilberforce, Premier Chris Minns said the new funding aims to significantly boost the SES’s operational capacity.

“Communities in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley know all too well the devastating effects of flooding. The NSW Government has been working hard to get flood preparation and mitigation right, including creating safer, faster evacuation routes, improving flood resilience on our roads, and ensuring the SES is well equipped to safeguard our communities in times of crisis,” Minns said.

He said the new funding will address several critical areas:

– Improved flood planning and response strategies

– Enhanced fleet maintenance and acquisition of new equipment

– Increased training and volunteer recruitment

– Better public information dissemination through platforms like the SES website and the Hazards Near Me App.

An additional $18 million will be allocated in the first year to further develop flood planning, intelligence, and rescue capabilities, including coordination and operational systems, as well as volunteer support and training.

The new funding is in addition to the $14.9 million fleet investment in 164 new assets across the state by the end of July. These assets include 40 vessels,

75 ark angel rafts, 45 command vehicles, two heavy rescue vehicles, and two trailers, which have been pivotal during recent severe weather events.

NSW State Emergency Service Acting Commissioner Deb Platz said the initiatives represent a significant step forward in bolstering the state’s flood resilience and ensuring the safety of communities in vulnerable areas.

“This investment from the NSW Government represents the largest ongoing commitment in our agency’s history. We

need to be as prepared as possible for severe flooding. Long-range forecasts indicate we may see above-average rainfall in coastal areas between July and September. We want people to know their risks, get prepared, and follow all advice from NSW SES,” Platz said.

In parallel, the Government said it is advancing more than 100 infrastructure projects under the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley Flood Evacuation Road Resilience program. Notably, the construction industry is now invited to submit proposals for the Pitt Town bypass, which aims to reduce congestion and facilitate faster evacuations during floods. The major construction contract is expected to be awarded by 2025.

The Driftway and Londonderry Road intersection upgrade has also been expedited as part of an election commitment, with construction slated to begin in 2025. This project will add a new roundabout and lane to increase road capacity during evacuations.

Transport for NSW will also engage with industry for the New Richmond Bridge and Traffic Improvements Project, a $500 million initiative in collaboration with the Australian Government. The new bridge, designed to withstand a one-in-20-year flood, will be approximately 10 meters higher than the existing crossing of the Hawkesbury River. These road upgrades form part of a $200 million commitment to improving evacuation routes in the flood-prone Hawkesbury-Nepean area.

Flood News

Landmark Study Highlights Flood Risk in Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley

When the first of a series of major floods hit the Hawkesbury in February 2020, Warragamba Dam was less than half full. Had the dam been at full capacity, the flood at Windsor would have been three metres higher.

This finding is part of a landmark flood study released 21 June, 2024. The study provides the most comprehensive analysis of flooding in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley and, for the first time, analyses the impact of climate change on flooding in the valley.

The seriousness of flooding in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley has been known for decades. Now, new data and scientific analysis in the “2024 Hawkesbury-Nepean River Flood Study” underscore the gravity and danger of these floods. The study, commissioned by the NSW Government, spans the entire 21,400 km² catchment area and is backed by two independent reviews. Using advanced technology, it models water

movement through the valley, incorporating data on flood levels, depth, and velocity to enhance understanding of flood risk. Over 20,000 scenarios were analysed, contextualising recent flood events.

The study leaves no doubt as to the most significant influence on flooding in the floodplain: Warragamba Dam.

“The catchment above Warragamba Dam makes up around 80% of the total catchment to Penrith and 70% to Windsor. Therefore, it has a major influence on flooding in the valley, contributing the majority of flows during the largest floods,” the study found.

This was particularly evident in February 2020. “The dam was only at 43% capacity at the start of the February 2020 flood and captured all the inflows to the dam. Modelling shows that if the dam had been full, flood heights at Windsor would have been around three metres higher,” the study found. “However, history shows that most large floods

occur during wet periods when the dam is nearly full. When this happens, the dam cannot hold back inflows. The floods in 2021 and 2022 are recent examples of this,” the report said.

Key findings emphasise the complexity and high risk of flooding in the Hawkesbury-Nepean floodplain. The valley’s geography creates natural chokepoints, leading to rapid, deep, and widespread flooding. Four distinct floodplains are identified: Wallacia, Penrith/ Emu Plains, Richmond/Windsor, and Lower Hawkesbury.

The study warns that climate change is expected to increase flooding in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley. “The unique topography of the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley means that impacts of increased

rainfall intensity are larger than in many other NSW catchments. At Windsor, the 1-in-100-year flood height would increase by 0.9 metres with a 9.5% increase in rainfall intensity.”

The study also notes that the flood history of the valley suggests periods of higher floods that last for decades, followed by similar periods of fewer and smaller floods. This pattern is flood-dominated and drought-dominated, influenced by the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climate driver. “It’s too early to know whether the cluster of floods from 2020 to 2022 signals the start of a new flood-dominated period,” the study said. While the NSW government is investigating reducing the full supply level of Warragamba Dam permanently to 80%, this may take many years to implement. In the meantime, residents and experts are calling for laws to allow water to be released from the dam ahead of major rain events to reduce downstream flooding impacts. With the likelihood of a La Niña event forming this winter, residents are increasingly anxious about the risk of another major flood this winter or spring.

In an extremely rare Probable Maximum Flood (PMF) event, estimated at over 13 metres higher than the 1-in-100year flood level, no land would be above floodwater between North Richmond and Oakville.

The study has drawn criticism for not measuring overland flooding, which often compromises evacuation routes and determines whether homes flood or not. The study stated that future development in the catchment would only have a small impact on Hawkesbury-Nepean flooding due to the South Creek catchment making up only 5% of the total catchment area to Windsor. The bulk of the floodwaters to Windsor come from the Warragamba catchment, followed by the Nepean.

The study will provide data to support the first Regional Disaster Adaptation Plan being developed by the NSW Reconstruction Authority, focusing on the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley. It will inform a suite of risk reduction measures as guided by that plan.

Flood News

Endeavour Energy Faces Flood Risk Dilemma

Endeavour Energy recently detailed the company’s challenges in maintaining electricity supply during significant flood events. Speaking candidly about the ongoing struggle to balance cost and resilience, Endeavour Energy’s lead resilience and bushfire engineer, Tony Baerwinkle said that the company’s current infrastructure can withstand up to a 1 in 100 flood event, a level not seen since 1867. However, exceeding this threshold would put the entire electricity supply at risk.

This stark assessment comes as Endeavour Energy grapples with the region’s complex geography and topography, which poses significant challenges for maintaining and upgrading the power network. The transmission lines must cross floodplains and rivers, complicating efforts to keep them above potential floodwaters.

“There’s some physical constraints on actually how high we can make things. We’ll make poles higher to try and get the wires out of the water, but then we end up in a situation where you physically can’t reach them to repair them,” Baerwinkle noted. “It’s a balancing act to make an efficient, effective network that works 99.9% of the time.”

Councillor Danielle Wheeler highlighted the critical role of electricity infrastructure in maintaining essential services during floods, particularly in towns west of the river like Wilberforce. “One of the things that happened during the recent floods is that you were able to maintain power to areas like Wilberforce throughout the flood made life much easier for us,” Wheeler said. She emphasised that reliable electricity is not just about comfort but is essential for fundamental services, particularly the sewer system in areas that rely on pumps.

Baerwinkle said that the constraints of the local geography, combined with the regulatory environment and the financial burden on customers, make investment decision-making particularly challenging. Every investment in the network must be carefully weighed

“Our modelling indicates that basically up to a one in 100 flood level, we should be able to maintain supply into the district,” Baerwinkle told a Hawkesbury Council Emergency and Disaster Committee meeting. “But if we exceed that 100 flood level, so not only 17.3 or 17.5 meters, then the entire electricity supply into the whole area is at risk because of the water levels in relation to incoming transmission lines and other transmission assets.”

against its cost and effectiveness, a dilemma underscored by recent severe weather events.

“Everything that we invest in the network, ultimately, our customers need to pay for. So it’s trying to find that balance of having an efficient and cost-effective network that does the job for most people most of the time,” Baerwinkle said. He acknowledged the difficulty in justifying investments for rare but extreme events, such as the once-in-a-century flood levels.

In the wake of recent floods, Endeavour Energy has conducted extensive

analyses to identify weak points in its network. This has led to targeted improvements, such as raising individual poles and reconfiguring sections of the network to withstand flooding better. Notably, after the 2022 flood, the transmission crossing at Windsor Bridge was raised by two to three meters to prevent disruptions like those experienced during the floods of 2021 and 2022.

Wheeler recounted the significant impact of a potential power outage on food supplies, sharing an incident where power was cut off to a local shopping centre, threatening a week’s worth of food supply. “The butcher was in tears because he had just stocked up. The other butcher, who had been flooded out, was selling everything by the side of the road where it was dry,” she said, illustrating the real-life consequences of power disruptions.

Baerwinkle also touched on the practical challenges of managing the network during flood events, including the preemptive isolation of sections based on rising water levels. While necessary for safety, this strategy can leave customers without power even when their immediate surroundings are not yet affected by flooding.

“We have pre-prepared switching plans to isolate sections of the network depending on water levels. As the event progresses, we’re trying to get in and isolate the network before it becomes damaged or poses a hazard,” Baerwinkle said.

Councillor Wheeler stressed the importance of preparing communities for extended periods without power during major floods. “We need to be ready not just for being cold for a week but for being cut off without power and what that means for essential services,” Wheeler noted.

In closing, Baerwinkle reflected on the ongoing efforts and the difficult decisions facing Endeavour Energy: “We’ve made adjustments, so we’re better prepared for future major flood events. However, the balancing act between cost, effectiveness, and the safety of our network remains a significant challenge.”

Warragamba Dam Spill Avoidable

One of Australia’s leading water experts, Professor Stuart Khan, said that the huge water spill from Warragamba Dam onto the Hawkesbury/Nepean floodplain could have been significantly mitigated if the dam had been lowered by 12 meters before the event. This reduction in water level would have created nearly 800 gigaliters of flood mitigation capacity, likely preventing the dam from overflowing and sparing the North Richmond Bridge from closure.

“Almost certainly, there would not have been an uncontrolled release from Warragamba. That’s not to say there’d be no flood since Warragamba is not the only flood source. But yes, it would have been significantly mitigated,” he told the Hawkesbury Post (HP).

Residents are dubbing this incident the “Dry Flood” due to the minimal local rainfall involved. Most of the floodwater originated from Warragamba Dam following heavy rain in its catchment area. “I don’t even want to think about how bad this would have been if we’d had that rainfall locally; it would have been a catastrophe,” a local farmer told the HP.

Despite some flooding at Menangle from the upper Nepean, Professor Khan believes these flows alone wouldn’t have caused the Richmond Bridge to close, emphasising that the Warragamba Dam spill was the primary factor.

Hawkesbury residents, farmers, and businesses are at their wit’s end. “We are just sitting ducks,” one resident lamented. “How much more of this do we have to go through before anyone does something? We just can’t go on like this.” This latest flood marks the ninth significant event since 2020, with the repeated disruptions forcing many local businesses and farmers to question whether they can continue.

Richmond recorded just 27.4 mm of rain the day before the flood, but the rapid rise in river levels, swiftly upgraded from minor to major flood status, caught many by surprise. The NSW Government is currently reconsidering its water policy, which may include permanently lowering the capacity of Warragamba Dam to 80 per cent to mitigate future flooding impacts on Hawkesbury residents. However, implementing this mea-

Hawkesbury Emergency Responders Overlooked for National Recognition

Despite their significant efforts, emergency responders in the Hawkesbury region, who have been crucial during multiple severe floods, have been excluded from receiving the National Emergency Medal. The National Emergency Medal Committee recently announced that responders who assisted during the February-March 2022 floods in northern New South Wales and South East Queensland are eligible for the award.

Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman said Hawkesbury responders had been unfairly left out. “I am very disappointed that emergency responders from Hawkesbury, who have stepped up time and time again in the last four years, have not been included in the decision.”

“I have written to the Assistant to the Prime Minister Patrick Gorman MP, and to Premier Chris Minns to express my dismay on behalf of the community and seek clarification as to why emergency responders from our community are not eligible to apply,” she said.

Templeman said Hawkesbury responders have stepped up repeatedly over the last four years, facing some of the worst flooding in decades. From

March to October 2022, the region experienced four significant floods, with the March and July events breaking records for height and duration. The March 2022 flood at Windsor was the largest since 1978, only to be surpassed by the July 2022 flood. At Sackville, the July flood was the highest since 1964.

During these floods, the State Emergency Service (SES), the Australian Defence Force (ADF), and a multitude of volunteers played a pivotal role in rescue operations, evacuations, and resupply efforts. The floods led to the closure of roads and bridges, suspension of ferry services, and isolation of entire suburbs and villages for extended periods. The March floodwaters remained above 8 metres for ten days and exceeded 10 metres for eight days, the longest duration recorded since the 1970s. In July, floodwaters stayed above 8 metres for six days, underscoring the collective effort in managing these crises.

The aftermath saw significantly damaged private properties, businesses, agriculture, and council infrastructure. With eight floods in the past four years, the Hawkesbury community has first-hand experience of the devastation caused by such natural disasters.

sure depends on supplementing Sydney’s water supply, which will take time. This would be done by doubling the capacity of Sydney’s desalination plant.

About 80% of Sydney’s drinking water comes from Warragamba Dam. The rest comes from a mix of other dams, the Hawkesbury-Nepean River and the Sydney Desalination Plant at Kurnell.

Premier Chris Minns acknowledged the delay in providing immediate relief.

“Supplementing the water supply would take time. So that’s not going to give us immediate relief,” he said in April.

Meanwhile, the Hawkesbury continues to suffer from repeated flood events. Businesses, such as turf farms, face million-dollar bills for each flood, and local businesses in Windsor, Richmond, and North Richmond report significantly reduced trading as customers and staff cannot cross the flooded bridge, and tourists stay away. Council is fighting a losing battle with the ever-increasing damage to local roads, each flood compounding the damage, and patchwork repairs often only last days.

The riverbanks have been decimated and again deteriorate with each flood. Sinkholes are now forming along the river, on roads, and in the town of Windsor. In the Lowlands, businesses and horse properties are losing millions of dollars each flood due to the collapsed river levee at Cornwallis, which has remained unrepaired for four years. It was caused by Hawkesbury Council’s failure to maintain a drain network. Council did not repair the initial 20 metre collapse levee, which today, after successive flooding events, is an environmental disaster spanning more than 300 metres.

The infrastructure in the Hawkesbury is inadequate for the environmental challenges it faces. The Windsor Bridge’s functionality is inconsistent, and the new bridge at Richmond is only designed to withstand a 1:20 flood event and will be built on one of the lowest parts of the floodplain. The only flood-free route, the “Purple Route”, was deemed too expensive and rejected to protect property development west of the river.

As cries for help continue to funnel into public inquiries, the future for tens of thousands of residents, farmers, and businesses remains increasingly uncertain.

Development A Death Sentence for Local Wildlife

By Morgan Philpot WIRES Koala expert

The proposed development in Kurrajong Hills at Douglas Farm raises some serious conservation issues. This is a very sensitive and unique ecological area of great local significance containing many native animals, including endangered species like the Koala.

In my capacity as a local Koala rehabilitator with WIRES, I know this area well. This particular area in Kurrajong Hills represents the epicentre of our local Koala colony. I have personally rescued many Koalas over the years from this area along with spending countless hours over many years tracking our released Koalas for Science For Wildlife. If people ask me where the best place locally to see a Koala in the wild is, this is the area that I direct them to. The habitat here is prime Koala habitat.

I think it’s fair to say that most people are aware that the Koala is now an endangered species and that habitat destruction is the number one reason for their plummeting numbers. Having said that, though, there are other contributing factors to declining Koala numbers. Dog attacks and collisions with cars also present significant threats. Whilst the proposed development at Douglas Farm claims that there will be no removal of trees, it will introduce further threats to the safety of the local Koala population through the increase in dog and car numbers, along with the added risk of pollution from urban runoff into the near pristine

Bluegum Creek, which is well known for supporting Platypus.

Koalas really are the “Canary in the coal mine” of our forests, and if you find Koalas in an area, you will certainly find many more native species that rely on the same habitat.

The Koala is at serious risk of becoming extinct in NSW within a generation and is experiencing “death by a thousand cuts” as we speak.

Local Koala numbers appear to be on the rise in Kurrajong and we are doing more and more assessments and rescues in Kurrajong village itself and surrounding areas each year. Every rescue or sighting in this area results in an increasing awareness among our community. If we want to see this trend continue and increase, then we need to get serious about the local threats that inappropriate development presents. If this DA was presented right now, I feel that it would struggle to gain traction in the approval process. The original EIS stated that there were no active signs of Koala habitation which I find extremely difficult to accept. If this was the case then, which I seriously doubt, it is most certainly not the case now. We are in a war with developers that we are losing badly, and the Koalas are the ones paying the ultimate price. We have a choice right now. We can continue to see our local Koala numbers increase and have these beautiful animals visit our backyards, or we can succumb to developers’ greed and lose them forever. I know which outcome I would rather have.

Koalas photographed in Kurrajong

Development Development Threatens Irreplaceable Koala Habitat

A controversial housing development at 150 Hermitage Road, Kurrajong, threatens to devastate a pristine koala habitat just 150 metres away, sparking outrage among local residents and environmental groups. The project could destroy one of the region’s most significant wildlife corridors, endangering koalas and other vulnerable species dependent on this critical ecosystem.

The development was approved by Hawkesbury City Council (HCC) in 2010 but has been dormant until now. Despite changes to environmental regulations and planning laws, it is allowed to proceed under the historical DA conditions, referred to as “Zombie DAs.”

The property, previously an old farm, is set to be divided into eight residential blocks. While the central portion was historically used for grazing, the fringes are pristine habitats for koalas and other native wildlife. Eric Finlay, a resident adjacent to the property since 1999, has meticulously recorded over 130 koala sightings in the area since 2009.

“We had none in our first ten years of living here,” Finlay says. “Since 2009, we’ve had over 130 records. It’s remarkable.” Finlay attributes the increase in koala activity to the recovery of the koala population following past bushfires and natural habitat regeneration. The existing creek bordering the property, part of the Western Sydney dry rainforest, is vital for koalas and home to other endangered species, such as glossy black cockatoos and powerful owls. The potential widening of roads, particularly Peach Tree Hill Road, raises additional concerns about increased roadkill incidents.

“The entire fringes of the development property are prime koala habitat,” Finlay explains. “Koalas move through this area constantly, and many of my recordings are from within 30 or 40 metres of the property being developed. I have kept details of every koala visual or audio record on and around our property, which shares a long boundary with 150 Hermitage Road. This totals over 120 records of koalas. Many of the audio records were from koalas calling in 150 Hermitage Road, as the wildlife corridor of Blue Gum Creek is just below our house.”

The property is bound by major wildlife corridors of Blue Gum Creek and Little Island Creek, home to sensitive and endangered vegetation types, including Western Sydney Dry Rainforest and Shale-Sandstone Transition Forest. Blue Gum Creek, adjacent to the current earthmoving activities on the property, was recently included in a local platypus distribution project, with eDNA testing indicating the presence of platypus in the creek. Hermitage Road and the currently unnamed road leading into 150 Hermitage Road are major wildlife crossing zones for koalas, swamp wallabies, and wombats.

“Roadkill is a major concern,” Finlay states. “Koalas and other wildlife have been killed on Hermitage Road, a major crossing point. The development would exacerbate this problem by increasing traffic and potentially adding new roads that cut through vital corridors.”

Hawkesbury City Council (HCC) approved the Development Application (DA) in July 2010 for the eight-lot residential subdivision. While the DA would normally have expired, the construction of a bridge in 2014 has led the Council to consider it as a “substantial commencement.” This means the development can proceed as per the 2010 approval. An increasing number of these developments, known as “Zombie DAs,” are popping up throughout NSW. Although technically legal, many don’t comply with modern-day environmental or cultural impact surveys, which consider a more developed understanding of how native wildlife move, eat, and exist.

In the past decade, the site has be-

come known as a continuous koala habitat – perhaps one of the most important in Hawkesbury. But it’s not just koalas at risk. Finlay has maintained records of all bird species observed on and around his property since the early 2000s, with all observations since 2013 publicly listed on eBird, a globally popular citizen science site. He said over 170 species have been recorded on-site, all between 0 and about 500 meters from the boundary with 150 Hermitage Road. These include multiple records of several State-and Federal-listed vulnerable, threatened, and endangered species. Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater, both with global populations estimated at just a few hundred birds, have been recorded on the site. Other significant species include Gang-gang and Glossy-black Cockatoo, Masked, Powerful, Barking and Sooty Owls, and Square-tailed Kite.

Wildlife experts told the Hawkesbury Post that the development poses multiple threats to wildlife, including dramatically increased human activity, degradation of wildlife corridor habitats, further reduction in food trees, potential drainage issues affecting the two creeks, massively increased vehicle movements, general human disturbance, movement restrictions, and attacks by dogs and cats. They say the original DA should never have been granted, and the development should be stopped.

“The issue with these ‘zombie DAs’ is that they can lay dormant for years,” Hawkesbury Councillor Danielle Wheeler explained. “This delays the application of current environmental standards, allowing developers to exploit outdated approvals.” Wheeler stressed that despite recent evidence of koalas in the area, the original DA’s environmental assessment in 2008 reported no sightings, a fact now disputed by community observations and photographs. “If this application were to come before us today, we would likely reject it outright due to its impact on koalas,” Wheeler asserted. “However, outdated assessments and legal loopholes prevent us from acting decisively.”

An email sent to a resident by HCC last week and sighted by the Hawkesbury Post stated that the Council has no power to stop the development as it has complied with the DA. However, it would seek advice about updated conservation laws. “Whilst Council is limited in its ability to call in consents and insist on compliance with current day planning laws, Council is seeking further advice as to whether the development application would now be subject to the operation of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) from the NSW Minister for the Environment,” HCC Director of Planning, Megan Ang wrote.

Finlay argues that new developments must consider the latest environmental data, stressing that what might have been acceptable in 2010 is no longer appropriate given the current understanding of koala habitat needs. “We now know a lot more than we did back then. Preserving their habitat means more than just not cutting down trees; it involves maintaining a quiet, pollution-free environment.”

Last year, Greens MP and planning spokeswoman Cate Faehrmann released a report identifying 20 examples of such zombie developments. She said more than 750 hectares, primarily comprised of threatened species habitat, were set to be “bulldozed on the back of zombie DAs that have not seen modern-day environmental or cultural impact surveys.”

“It’s outrageous that these decades-old approvals, that would never pass modern environmental or cultural heritage impact assessments, are being allowed to go ahead,” she said. “Community expectations in 2022 around the protection of the environment are very different from what they were in 1980.”

Flood News

Bypass to Finally Bring Relief to Pitt Town

After years of anticipation and delays, the long-awaited Pitt Town Bypass is finally set to become a reality.

NSW Premier Chris Minns announced the milestone during his visit to the Hawkesbury in June. “Starting today, the construction industry can submit proposals to build the crucial Pitt Town Bypass. This initiative will reduce congestion by diverting traffic away from Pitt Town, providing faster evacuations for Hawkesbury residents during floods. Transport for NSW plans to award the main construction contract for the bypass in 2025,” Minns said.

Chris Bell, President of the Pitt Town Progress Association, expressed relief at the news after years of uncertainty.

“We’re eager for this to happen swiftly. We’ve had promises of funding from successive governments for years,” Bell told Channel Nine.

Pitt Town has faced mounting congestion, with up to 1000 trucks daily passing through its main street from sand quarries in the Hills district. Discussions about the bypass date back to the 1960s, yet relief for the community has been elusive despite the growing traffic burden.

The Pitt Town Bypass will establish a direct link between Pitt Town Road and Cattai Road, effectively bypassing the town center. The $100 million project will extend Pitt Town Road and introduce two new roundabouts, aimed at enhancing road safety, diverting heavy vehicles from the town center, and supporting new residential developments north of Pitt Town.

“Expressions of Interest (EOI) are invited from pre-qualified contractors under Transport for NSW’s National Prequalification Scheme, specifically in roadworks category R3, bridgeworks category B3, and financial level F25,” detailed the tender document. The project entails constructing a new 950-meter, two-lane road connecting Pitt Town Road to Cattai Road, a single-lane roundabout over Hortons Creek at the intersection of Pitt Town Road, Bathurst Street, and Glebe Road, a new bridge over Hortons Creek, and another single-lane roundabout at the intersection of Pitt Town Road, Eldon Street, and Old Pitt Town Road,” the tender document stated.

“The Pitt Town Bypass will alleviate traffic congestion in the town center, a notorious bottleneck, and assist in flood evacuations across the Hawkesbury region,” NSW Minister for Roads John Graham said.

“We are finalising plans to widen roads in the area to ensure safe evacuation for families and residents during emergencies,” he added.

These flood road upgrades are part of a $200 million commitment by the NSW Government to establish major evacuation routes in the flood-prone Hawkesbury-Nepean region.

Minns said the government was enhancing flood preparedness and mitigation, focusing on creating safer, more efficient evacuation routes, and strengthening road resilience.

“The Hawkesbury region faces the highest flood risk nationwide,” Minns acknowledged.

Parking Madness: Councill Brings in Consultants

This claim, however, appears at odds with the experience of businesses and also contradicts evidence in an email sighted by the Hawkesbury Post. Hazen Quinn, owner of Words and Pixels, wrote an email to Mayor Sarah McMahon dated June 7, 2024.

“Whilst I understand that you have parking limits for a reason, what I cannot understand is why we cannot pay for a parking permit. For example, $200 per car per year to allow us parking within the shopping centre. You could provide a sticker at minimal cost to the Council and make an extremely healthy profit. I know from speaking to other shop owners and some staff that purchasing a parking permit to avoid moving cars every two hours would be an option most would take. This could be applied to the whole of Hawkesbury and be a guaranteed source of income without the added cost of employing extra parking officers,” Quinn wrote.

Clr McMahon responded that Council is in the process of engaging consultants to investigate the issue, a process that would take at least nine months. “Staff have scoped out the consultants’ brief to undertake the strategic review and parking study for our four main town centres, including North Richmond. This review will take approximately nine months to complete, followed by the next steps for implementing any recommendations. Until then, I can’t provide any further advice other than to park lawfully,” she wrote. Business owners are skeptical about

this approach. “Engaging consultants when they could just issue special parking permits for shop owners and staff seems like a huge waste of ratepayer money in my view. It’s not rocket science,” said one business owner who wished to remain anonymous. Quinn also voiced dissatisfaction with the current parking situation in North Richmond. “The parking area has a two-hour limit for everyone. As shop owners, and after speaking to other owners in the same situation, we do not understand the need for such extensive patrolling of the car park. Nor do we

understand why there isn’t an allowance for shop owners and employees.”

Quinn highlighted the practical issues and financial burdens caused by the current parking enforcement. “Since May 23 we have been fined $360 to simply park in the shopping centre near our shop to work,” Quinn said. “Our cars have been vandalized and damaged, which is one reason we park our cars close to the shop so we have camera footage of any incidents to our vehicles. Other business owners have parked their cars on the street, and they’ve been damaged or had things like batteries stolen.”

Another shop owner in Richmond, who did not want to be identified, said the local car parks are not evenly distributed in terms of parking regulations and as a result distort foot traffic to shops.

He said Coles has approximately 400 parking spots, with 34 all-day parking spots, 50/60 one-hour spots, and fourhour parking bays. However, the carpark between East Market Street and West Market Street has approximately 290 parking spots, 120 of which are all-day parking. There are 16 one-hour spots and the remainder four hours.

“The (West Market Street) car park has become like a morgue because nothing moves around, we have customers complaining all the time because they cannot park, You’ve got to adjust the parking lot in all the areas and make them equal, so everybody has a chance to run a business, go to work, and the customers to have a parking spot. The way it is now, nothing works.”

The parking issue affects business owners, their customers, and delivery services. “Couriers have to park down the road and carry heavy loads to our shops because there’s no available parking nearby,” Hayford-Hobbs said. “It’s just not practical.”

Clr McMahon’s response has done little to alleviate the frustration of the business owners. “It defies belief that this is still an issue,” Hayford-Hobbs said. “Issuing parking permits is a simple fix that would support small businesses already struggling due to other challenges like flooding. Instead, we’re stuck in a cycle of fines and frustration.”

Wake-Up Call as Deadly ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Local Tap Water

By Associate Professor Ian Wright

Last month Carrie Fellner, a journalist from Fairfax media (Sydney Morning Herald) reported that elevated concentrations of “forever chemicals” have been detected in several drinking water supplies around Australia. The news was greeted with widespread alarm. It is frightening for people to learn that their drinking water might contain harmful chemicals.

What are these “forever” chemicals? They are a broad collection of manmade chemicals that include more than 10,000 different formulations based on a range of complex fluorine molecules. Two groups are often just known as ‘PFOS’ perfluorooctane sulfonate and ‘PFOA’ or perflurooctanic acid. They are classed together as ‘PFAS’ chemicals (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).

These chemicals are tough and have many very useful properties. They can resist heat, water and oil. And are also resistant to breaking down. This is why they are called ‘forever chemicals’ and they are almost certainly in my blood and your blood. They can made great products that are now very commonplace in our homes, our lives and our workplaces. For example, they are ingredients in many types of non-stick cookware, water-proofing sprays for clothes, stain- resistant treatments for furniture, carpets and car interiors. They are also in lots of food packaging, such as grease-proof paper. They have also contaminated many locations through their use in fire-fighting foams.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) are probably the global leaders raising concern about the health impacts of these chemicals. They warn that some

of these chemicals can cause cancer and that there is “no safe level of exposure”. Earlier this year (April), the US (USEPA) sent shock waves through the water industry around the world when it announced much stricter concentration of PFOS/PFOA in drinking water. They are probably the toughest in the world and the new limits are now much stricter than the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. The safe concentrations of the PFOS/PFOA in drinking water seem a minute amount. They are commonly measured in units ‘parts per trillion’. Think of one single drop of these chemicals dissolved in several Olympic pools of water!

These chemicals can still be harmful to people, to livestock and wildlife at such low concentrations. They can bioaccumulate in different organs in the body over time. Even if we ingest small amounts – the concentrations can build up. Increased exposure of people to these chemicals has been associated with several adverse health effects. These include higher cholesterol, lower birth weights, modified immune responses, kidney and testicular cancer. Health and water authorities in Australia seem far less concerned than their US counterparts. The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines permit much larger concentrations of both PFOS and PFOA than the USEPA rec-

ommends in water supplies across the US. All city and town water supplies across Australia are subject to a wide range of physical and chemical water tests. The results are compared to Australian water guidelines.

The Sydney Morning Herald quoted some PFOS and PFOA water tests done at water supplies across Australia. The highest PFOA concentration was reported from a small water supply in western Sydney, where it was detected at 5.17–9.66 parts per trillion. This was Sydney Water’s North Richmond supply. This is the only site that Sydney Water regularly test for these ‘forever chemicals’. The most recent results from this supply are from January 2024. And whilst they comply with Australian guidelines, they would not meet the tougher USEPA guidelines. Australian and NSW Health and water authorities need to provide people with much more information on what is in their water supply. More regular testing and clear advice is needed.

Also, information should be provided on how these chemicals can be avoided. The lack of information in Australia is causing alarm. This is a global problem. If anyone wants more information – look up ‘USEPA and PFAS’. They have very helpful advice – and I hope Australian authorities do the same soon.

Cancer-Causing Chemicals Detected in North Richmond Water

Hawkesbury City Council has said it is not responsible for informing residents about cancer-causing “forever” chemicals found at dangerous levels in the North Richmond water supply.

Currently, North Richmond is the only site in Australia undergoing testing for deadly PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl) synthetic chemicals that have been used widely since the 1950s, including in firefighting foam used for decades at military bases around the country, including Richmond RAAF.

Despite assurances from the Premier, Health Minister, and Chief Medical Officer of New South Wales that the water supply is safe, the National Health and Medical Research Council is reviewing its guidelines for PFAS. This follows recent conclusions from both authorities in the United States and the World Health Organisation that PFAS causes cancer, and there is no safe level. In Australia, PFOA is permitted in tap water at 140 times the maximum level allowed in the US.

“As the provider of drinking water services to Hawkesbury residents, Sydney Water is the appropriate organisation to provide relevant information and education to residents regarding PFAS and the quality of its water,” a spokesperson for Hawkesbury City Council told the Hawkesbury Post.

An investigation by the Sydney Morning Herald published this week found that carcinogenic chemicals –perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) part of the PFAS group are present in drinking water across parts of Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra, Victoria, Queensland, Rottnest Island, and Norfolk Island. This has prompted urgent calls for widespread testing of Australia’s drinking water.

The SMH analysis found dangerous chemicals in the drinking water of up to 1.8 million Australians, including North Richmond. Testing in the past year revealed that North Richmond’s drinking water contained some of the highest levels of PFOA contamination in Australia (5.17 ppt to 9.66 ppt), well above the US limit of 4 ppt. PFOS levels were also high at 1.46 ppt to 3.32 ppt. Australia’s standards fall significantly behind US standards, with the current Australian “safe limit” for PFOS at 70 ppt and 560 ppt for PFOA.

Western Sydney University Associate Professor Ian Wright, a water expert, said the US Environmental Protection Agency has stated there is no safe level for PFOS/PFAS chemicals in drinking water. He explained that these chemicals are resistant to degradation and have been widely used in products like firefighting foams, paints, cosmetics, and non-stick cookware. PFAS contamination in Richmond and Windsor has been linked to the use of firefighting foam at the Richmond RAAF base.

“Humans can readily accumulate PFOS and PFAS chemicals in some of our organs. There is growing evidence that elevated concentrations of these chemicals can be harmful to human health. According to the World Health Organisation, they may be carcinogenic to humans,” Wright told the Hawkesbury Post.

“The United States Environmental Protection Authority revised its

guidelines earlier this year, and now it does not recognise a safe level in drinking water. It has also announced that water supplies must be monitored for these chemicals over the next three years and treated to reduce them to much lower concentrations. It will be a massive challenge for the US water industry. It is ambitious, expensive, and will take a long time to achieve,” he added.

Wright highlighted that, according to the SMH report, many would fail if the US guidelines were applied to Australian water supplies, including North Richmond. He noted that Australia has been slow to revise its PFAS guidelines compared to the US, which is considered a world leader in this area.

The Hawkesbury Post has extensively covered the worsening PFAS issue in the region. In August last year, the Department of Defence held a briefing on the chemicals in Richmond, organised by Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman, one of the few Australian and local politicians showing concern about the issue. The Defence Department has known about the dangers of PFAS in its firefighting foams for decades and only stopped using them last decade.

Assistant Defence Minister Matt Thistlethwaite told the Hawkesbury Post at that meeting, that people who owned PFAS-contaminated land should not consume produce from that land. However, he added that the health advice was that it was still safe to sell produce from such lands into the market, and the government has accepted the advice prepared by the Australian Department of Health and the Australian Environmental Protection Authority.

HCC has reiterated that PFAS issues are the responsibility of the Defence Department and has admitted it does not test for PFAS at its own sewerage recycling plant in Windsor, where it produces “grey water” for irrigation.

Federal Member for Macquarie

Helping Australians Earn More and Keep More

This month marks the start of some important changes for Australians that allow people to earn more and keep more of what they earn.

From July 1, tax cuts mean that every worker will see an increase in their pay packet, plus people on minimum wages and awards will receive a pay rise, and every household will receive $300 in energy relief.

These things didn’t happen by chance.

The Albanese Labor Government has looked to take real action to increase people’s wages and help with cost of living.

If you’re a minimum wage earner, the combination of the tax cut and the pay rise means that, for a full time worker, and extra $38 will be going into your bank account each week.

If you’re a cleaner or retail worker,

$40 more will be going into your account every week, and for registered nurses and aged care workers it’s $50 a week because of the pay rise, coupled with the tax cut. It’s not just workers on minimum wages and awards who benefit. Because of changes we made to Fair Work laws, there are 360,000 extra workers on enterprise agreements. Almost 10,000

truck drivers and other transport workers at Linfox and Toll Global Express will receive a pay rise on July 1, along with the tax cut. A standard rate of pay for a driver there is about $85,000 a year, and they’ll be getting $75 more into their bank account every week thanks to the award rate increase and our tax cuts.

The Albanese Government did this without the support of the Opposition, who voted against the laws that have allowed people to earn more. We’re putting more money in working people’s pockets, but still keeping downward pressure on inflation, and we’re certainly not going to push up energy prices with expensive nuclear reactors!

Susan Templeman

Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman MP, with by Labor Treasurer, Dr Jim Chalmers and Finance Minister, Katy Gallagher.

Politics

McMahons Hopes Dashed in Federal Electoral Redistribution

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has announced proposed changes to federal electoral boundaries, including the expansion of the seat of Macquarie. Under the new proposal, Macquarie will now encompass Emu Plains, Emu Heights, and Leonay and retain the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury areas.

Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, welcomed the changes.

“This is a logical expansion,” Templeman said, highlighting her strong connections to the new areas as a long-time Lower Mountains resident.

“I have strong connections already to the area, and the Redistribution Committee has clearly recognised the deep community ties between the villages at the foot of the mountains and the rest of my electorate, Templeman said.

“ I’ll continue to work hard for the communities in the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury, and I look forward to deepening my understanding of the issues facing the residents and small businesses of Emu Plains, Emu Heights and Leonay,” she said.

The announcement will come as a blow to Hawkesbury Mayor Sarah McMahon, who had hoped to see Macquarie’s seat substantially changed ahead of the next federal election. Templeman’s seat is currently held with a solid majority following a significant swing against McMahon in her second Federal tilt at the last election.

Macquarie currently covers the local government areas (LGA) of Hawkesbury

and the Blue Mountains. Under the Liberal proposal Windsor and Old Windsor Roads would have been the major dividing line between the North Shore and Western Sydney.

In September last year, McMahon secured a second year as Mayor after she struck a deal with Labor Councillors promising not to make a third bid for the Federal seat of Macquarie at the upcoming election.

The AEC’s draft redistribution of New South Wales electoral boundaries includes significant changes to several regional seats, including Hume, Riverina, and Eden-Monaro. This redistribution follows the requirement to ensure equal electorate sizes across states, leading to the adjustment of federal seats. Western Australia will regain its sixteenth seat, while New South Wales and Victoria will each lose one seat.

More than 700,000 enrolled voters will see changes to their federal electoral divisions. Notably, the once-safe federal Liberal seat of North Sydney, currently held by Teal, Kylea Tink, will be abolished, with voters being redistributed into nearby seats including Bradfield, Bennelong, and Warringah.

Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers emphasised the necessity of these changes due to the decrease in the number of electoral divisions in New South Wales from 47 to 46. “Forty-five of the existing 47 division names would be retained,” Rogers added. The public has until July 12 to submit objections to the proposed changes.

The Cure for Toxic Politics is Just an Election Away

Have you noticed how nasty politics has become? I’m tired of it, and I suspect you are too.

People used to be willing to admit that people of differing convictions are capable of being honourably motivated. So why has a conversation about ideas been replaced by recrimination and blame?

Blame politicians who declare the press to be their enemy, shrug off any negative commentary as “fake news” and endlessly play the victim card when called to account. Donald Trump has a lot to answer for, and we shouldn’t reward those who now emulate him.

Perhaps this hyper-partisanship comes from social media and the age of misinformation we now inhabit, along with the shorter attention spans our device –addictions have given us.

When I teach my students about critical thinking and ethics, I start by asking them to put up their hands if they’ve ever received a scam email, text or phone call. Almost always, every hand goes up.This starts useful conversations about evaluating truth claims, wherever they come from. Is the caller claiming to be from my bank trustworthy? Is vaccination safe? What should we do about the environment? Is that charismatic, rolex-wearing pastor just filling his pockets? Which party and their policies will leave a better world for our kids?

People used to be willing to admit that people of differing convictions are capable of being honourably motivated. So why has a conversation about ideas been replaced by recrimination and blame? Blame politicians who declare the press to be their enemy, shrug off any negative commentary as “fake news” and endlessly play the victim card when called to account. Donald Trump has a lot to answer for, and we shouldn’t reward those who now emulate him.

Teaching is as much about encouraging sceptical and evidence-driven habits of inquiry, as it is about ‘right answers’. It’s satisfying to see “lightbulb moments” in the faces of young people. This keeps me upbeat, convincing me that people want to care deeply, if information is put before them in a way that respects their intelligence and invites their Engagement.

Party at the last Council elections in 2021, winning nine out of the twelve positions on Council. Before 1995, there were no parties on Council, just twelve good citizens. Perhaps we should return to that.

When I speak to locals, many report disenchantment because of a perception that there is no longer any meaningful difference between the Labor and Liberal parties on Hawkesbury Council. For many years they’ve regularly backed each other in to stitch up the positions of Mayor and Deputy Mayor, lock others out of committees (and recently, abolish them), and have spent their time backing policies that are sharply out of step with their grass roots, whether that’s on the environment, or heritage, or development, or accountability. It’s one thing to be collegiate, but this looks increasingly like a racket.

Fortunately, Aussies can spot inauthenticity a mile away.

Many of those elected on party tickets would never be elected under their own steam. It seems likely that the candidates the Liberals will offer up won’t even be the subject of a preselection or a face-toface meeting to endorse the ticket, leaving their aging and dwindling membership put out that they are expected to show up, pay up, and shut up, robbed of any debate about whether these candidates meet their approval.

After 32 years in the Liberal Party, I confess I was for too long complicit in this pantomime, but note the strong encouragement of many since finding my independence and my voice, even though this has come at some personal cost. Clearly, the feeling isn’t isolated, evidenced by the decade-on-decade decline of the Labor + Liberal vote from 98% in the postwar period to 68% at the 2022 Federal election.

Modern voters are now far more a-lacarte about their politics. Each of us can find positions we agree and disagree with within the Liberals, Labor and even the Greens.

That’s why we get angry when politicians don’t work together.

At my school, as on Council, we think a lot about building ‘culture’. I dream of a Hawkesbury as a city with high social capital, respect for both the natural and built environments, a respected and engaged citizenry, naturally low crime, where growth is guided by need and not greed, where our focus is properly on the basics like roads and equitable rates, but where those in need or distress find themselves promptly surrounded by practical and moral supports.

Council has a role in fostering such a culture. But it can’t come if our elected leaders bicker like schoolchildren, cynically use their platform for higher ambition, or limit the reporting of data that shows who turns up and votes which way. Voters deserve a Council where the views, skills and life-experience of all twelve members are valued.

Thankfully, all such problems can be solved with an election.

The Hawkesbury Exempt from State Housing Policy

The Hawkesbury has been exempt from plans to force Low and Mid-Rise Housing in local government areas to boost the housing supply.

The NSW Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure announced today that it would exempt the area from the proposed Low-and Mid-Rise Housing State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP).

The NSW Government’s contentious planning reforms aimed to increase housing density by permitting residential flat buildings of 3-6 storeys, terraces, townhouses, duplexes, and smaller 1-2 storey apartments in suburbs where such developments were previously restricted. The focus was on boosting housing supply near established town centres and train stations.

awkesbury Councillors had unanimously opposed the proposal, citing critical concerns over flood risk, preservation of local heritage, and the inadequacy of existing infrastructure to support a significant population increase.

In a statement released today, Hawkesbury Council said it received a letter from the Department on Friday confirming that the Hawkesbury area would be exempt from the proposed reforms.

“The Department has made the right decision, and we welcome their thorough consideration of the concerns that we raised,” Hawkesbury City Mayor Sarah McMahon said in a statement. “Our town centres are iconic for a reason. We have carefully managed their development and growth over many years to ensure they retain their community feel and their heritage values. These reforms would have substantially changed all of that.

Riverside Gardens is a boutique retirement village offering stylish residences within a safe, independent living community.

Established in 2010, Riverside Gardens consists of 2 and 3 bedroom villas and apartments nestled amongst established gardens and tree lined streets.

On a daily basis, the community centre is a hive of activity and a beautiful space for residents to socialise and enjoy.

Riverside Gardens is conveniently located within walking distance of North Richmond shops, cafes, and endless recreation.

Boutique I nde pe nde nt

Living fo r O ver 55’s in the Hea rt of the Ha wke

“Additionally, after eight floods in four years, it is abundantly clear that a significant increase in population in

the Hawkesbury posed an unacceptable risk to current and future residents.”

Partner Charged in Hawkesbury Boat Death

Four months after a tragic boat accident, a 38-year-old man has been charged in connection with the death of Samantha Jones, a 32-year-old British expatriate. The incident occurred in early February on the Hawkesbury River in Wilberforce, when the boat Jones was travelling in crashed into the riverbank and became lodged under trees.

Jones, a hairdresser in Richmond and St John’s Ambulance volunteer, died at the scene despite efforts by NSW ambulance paramedics. The alleged driver, identified as her partner Brendan Faithfull, was taken to Westmead Hospital for mandatory testing, which reportedly returned a positive result for alcohol.

Following an investigation by Marine Area Command, Faithfull was arrested and charged with dangerous navigation occasioning death. He has been granted conditional bail and is scheduled to appear at Windsor Local Court on July 11. His boating license has been suspended.

At Jones’ funeral in England, Mr. Faithfull delivered an emotional eulogy, describing her as his “beautiful” partner and “soul mate.” The death of Jones deeply affected the Hawkesbury community, with family and friends mourning the loss of the vibrant and much-loved individual.

Jones’ mother expressed her devastation on social media, and her workplace in Richmond, NSW, honored her memory with heartfelt tributes.

“We are completely devastated and heartbroken to announce the passing of our beautiful shining star Samantha, in a boat accident on Sunday, in the place she fell in love with as her second home, Jones mother wrote in a Facebook post in February.

“We are completely destroyed, we all love you so so much forever. Our hearts are forever broken … our beautiful girl, we hope you know how much love there is for you.”

Justice for Charlise: Stein Convicted

A jury has convicted Justin Stein of the murder of nine-year-old Charlise Mut ten, whose body was found in a barrel next to the Colo River in the Hawkesbury.

Stein, 33, was dating Charlise’s moth er, Kallista Mutten, at the time of the incident. He alleged that Kallista was responsible for the child’s death, a claim she vehemently denied.

After nearly two weeks of deliberation, the jury delivered their verdict last month, following a four-week trial.

Charlise’s body, discovered on Janu ary 18, 2022, near the Colo River, bore gunshot wounds to her face and lower back. She had been visiting her mother and Stein from the Gold Coast, where she lived with her grandparents.

While Stein admitted to disposing of Charlise’s body, he claimed Kallista shot her daughter and placed the body in a barrel on his vehicle without his knowledge. Kallista denied any involve ment and was visibly emotional when confronted with the accusation in court.

During Charlise’s visit, she, her mother, and Stein spent time between a property in Mount Wilson, owned by Stein’s mother, and a caravan at the Riviera Ski Park, roughly a 90-minute drive away. On the night of January 11, Charlise was alone with Stein at the Mount Wilson property while her moth er stayed at the caravan. Prosecutors asserted that it was then Stein killed the girl.

Toxicology reports indicated Charlise had traces of Seroquel, an anti-psychotic drug for which Stein had a prescription

to treat schizophrenia. The jury was informed that an adult dose of Seroquel would significantly sedate a child.

Crown prosecutor Ken McKay SC

ceiving the drug, which Stein denied administering.

Stein confessed to participating in a cover-up, including misleading the police about leaving Charlise with a woman who was valuing property at

the Mount Wilson estate. He claimed ignorance of Charlise’s body being in the barrel on his vehicle until the next day, and that he panicked before eventually disposing of her remains upon discovering them.

Record Pollution Sting Uncovers 100,000

Tonnes of Contaminated Waste in Wetlands

One of the Hawkesbury’s pristine wetlands has been used as a dumping ground for contaminated building material and is now the subject of the largest pollution sting in the history of the NSW Environmental Protection Authority.

An investigation by the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper has revealed more than 100,000 tonnes of contaminated waste has been dumped at a Wheeny Creek property over the years.

The property is part-owned by an alleged associate of the Rebels motorcycle gang.

EPA investigators found the dumping ground in 2020, and samples confirmed the presence of asbestos. However, an investigator told the SMH that alleged mismanagement of the EPA’s investigations meant that trucks continued to dump loads of unknown material at the site last year.

Despite being discovered by authorities nearly four years ago, the Wheeny Creek site in the Hawkesbury region has not been cleaned up and now appears to be leaking contaminated waste into a protected wetland that borders the Blue

Mountains World Heritage area.

A spokesperson for Hawkesbury City Council said it could not respond to the Hawkesbury Post’s questions, including how long they have known about the contamination, because the matter is now before the courts. However, the spokesperson did say the Council only had a limited role in the matter.

“Council has played a limited support role to NSW EPA and NSW Police in the Wheeny Creek matter. NSW EPA is the appropriate regulatory authority. Water testing at the site is a matter for NSW EPA. As this matter is currently before the courts, Council will be making no further comment.”

The EPA also did not provide the HP with any comment, citing the case being currently before the court.

The EPA has commenced prosecutions in the Land and Environment Court for six offences, with maximum penalties ranging from $250,000 to $2 million, against Andrew Hughes, who part-owns the property. He also owns the waste and construction company Ant Civil Pty Ltd. He is contesting the case brought against him.

Justin Stein has been found guilty of the murder of nine-year-old Charlise Mutten, whose body was found in a barrel next to the Colo River in the Hawkesbury

Charlise Mutten

News Lives in Limbo, a Silent Suffering

By Linda Strickland Co-founder Hawkesbury Helping Hands

Every day, the cry for help grows louder. When will it diminish? Can it even diminish? All indications point to a worsening situation before any improvement might come. It’s a daunting reality. Daily, we struggle to meet the escalating demand for food and essential supplies from those in desperate need.

Those of us on the frontline witness first-hand the heartbreaking stories that unfold. Yet, our role as helpers to the homeless and those facing food insecurity often goes unnoticed or unacknowledged. We are exposed to the rawest human struggles, bearing witness to vicarious trauma on a constant basis.

Each passing day sees more individuals forced into homelessness, unable to keep up with rising rents exacerbated by increasing interest rates and the soaring cost of living. Many families find themselves stretching meagre incomes to cover bills, resorting to meals as basic as Weetbix, water, and instant noodles for weeks on end. Pride often prevents them from seeking assistance, even as parents sacrifice their own meals to ensure their children eat. It’s a harsh reality when children attend school hungry, without lunch, and with sparse dinner options.

Now, more than ever, cars, storage units, garden sheds, and even garages have become makeshift homes for mothers, fathers, children, and the elderly – a bleak refuge in an increasingly unaffordable housing market. Women are negotiating to rent driveways overnight just to

secure a safe place to sleep, while others are willing to pay for patches of grass in backyards where they can pitch a tent and access basic amenities like a toilet. In this dire landscape, even toiletries – the most fundamental necessities – are seen as luxuries by many. The refrain that “someone else has it worse” echoes daily, but you are also among the worst affected if you cannot feed your family. Countless members of our community, including those with jobs, silently battle hunger.

Yet, there persists a stigma around seeking help, leaving many to suffer in silence rather than reach out. We hold onto hope that they will take that daunting first step toward assistance – a step made all the more challenging by the unfamiliarity of needing aid just to put food on the table.

As we continue to search for a beacon of hope at the end of this tunnel, we press on, doing our utmost to support those in need. Like countless other char-

itable organisations on the frontline, we confront the relentless rise in demand with steadfast determination. Together, we can do more than hope; we can work towards a future where homelessness and food insecurity are mere memories of a challenging past, a future illuminated by compassion, support, and a renewed sense of community. To donate to Hawkesbury’s Helping Hands go to https://www.givenow.com. au/hhh

Ambulance NSW Inspector Shocked by New Station News

Ambulance NSW Inspector Rebecca Tulk has publicly questioned the decision to locate the new ambulance station in South Windsor. She revealed that she and her colleagues were unaware of the site selection until it was reported in the Hawkesbury Post.

Speaking at the Hawkesbury Council’s Disaster and Emergency Committee meeting last month, Inspector Tulk expressed concerns about the lack of consultation and communication regarding the new station. “The first I heard about the new station was when I read the article in the Hawkesbury Post. Our sector management, including Superintendent (Ross) Chivers, was also not aware until this article was published,” Tulk said.

“So like many of you I was surprised by the announcement and the location of the site but this was a decision made by people with much more delegation than what I have and as a member of th Hawkesbury community as an inspector I have expressed some concerns about the chosen site and the lack of consultation. I even raised it again this morning and again, as yet, I am yet to receive any feedback,” she said.

The new ambulance station in South Windsor is part of a $455 million initiative to establish 30 new stations across New South Wales. While the site was chosen following a comprehensive service planning process using best practice modelling software to map Triple Zero calls, its location has sparked controversy.

Local Councillor Nathan Zamprogno has previously described the decision as

“baffling” given the significant population growth west of the Hawkesbury River. “These decisions are only made once a generation,” he said, highlighting the urgent need for a station in North Richmond. He recounted an incident where an ambulance took over half an hour to reach Kurrajong.

Tulk said she undertook her own investigation of the Bureau of Health Information website and found that the Richmond/Windsor statistical area had almost four times the amount of incidents per month than the broader Hawkesbury area.

She found the Richmond/Windsor statistical area, encompassing suburbs including Yarramundi, North Richmond, Richmond, Londonderry, South Windsor, Bligh Park, Berkshire Park and Windsor reported an average of 504 incidents per month with approximately 39 incidents per 1,000 people. In contrast, the broader Hawkesbury area, extending from Kurrajong to Mount Wilson, Freemans Reach to Colo Heights, almost up to Putty, Ebeneezer through to Higher Macdonald and up to Bucketty averaged 139 incidents per month with roughly five incidents per 1,000 people.

Tulk said Bilpin has been identified as a suitable location for an ambulance ambulance Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). CERT are designed to assist smaller regional communities and are comprised entirely of NSW Ambulance clinical volunteers who are trained and equipped to a high standard to support paramedics in times of need.

Historic Fine Following Unauthorised Land Clearing

A landmark decision by the NSW Land and Environment Court has resulted in a $135,000 fine for a landowner who illegally cleared over five hectares of na tive vegetation in Canyonleigh, located in the Southern Highlands. This case highlights the contrasting approaches to land clearing regulations between the Southern Highlands and the Hawkes bury region.

The court heard that the landowner conducted the clearing in two stages between July 2021 and August 2022, despite being served with a Develop ment Control Order by the Wingecar ribee Shire Council in August 2021 and a Stop Work Order by the Depart ment of Planning and Environment in April 2022. The unauthorised clearing violated section 60N of the Local Land Services Act 2013.

The cleared area included trees more than 200 years old and 54 species of native flora, providing crucial habitat for endangered species like the Koala, the vulnerable Gang Gang Cockatoo, and the Yellow-Bellied Glider. Chief Justice Preston noted the clearing had significantly reduced the biodiversity and habitat provision in the area.

“This is a significant outcome which should serve as a reminder to others that there are rules about clearing native vegetation on regulated land,” said Ingrid Emery, Executive Director of Regional Delivery Biodiversity, Con servation and Science. “The landowner was aware that their actions were not permitted and continued to destroy our native flora, causing significant impacts on the biodiversity in the region.”

In contrast to the strict regulations in the Southern Highlands, the Hawkes bury region has adopted a more lenient approach following the introduction of the Rural Boundary Clearing Code in 2022. Unlike the Southern High lands, where clearing native vegetation requires authorisation, landowners and developers in the Hawkesbury can clear native bush and wildlife habitats around their properties without a development application.

This legislative difference stems from a decision by the Liberal/Labor block, including Councillor Sarah McMahon, to opt into the Rural Boundary Clearing Code–the only council in the Sydney Basin to do so. The same block also previously voted down a resolution that would have required more detailed information on land clearing and its impact on koala populations within the

for land development in the Hawkesbury. Notable instances include the clearance of a five-hectare site in Kurrajong managed by Matthew Bennett for his business partner Steve He, as well as a bush block in Bowen Mountain cleared of all vegetation before being sold as three separate development sites by Bennett’s company, BCM Property Group.

The Southern Highlands case marks the first occasion that the NSW Land and Environment Court has sentenced a person for this offense, highlighting the severity with which unauthorised land clearing is treated in regulated rural areas.

Stay alert and report any sick or dead poultry or wild birds

Know

Birds with swelling around the head and neck

Birds with nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing or difficulty breathing

Purple discolouration of wattles, combs and legs

Hill’s Mayor Dr Peter Gangemi and Hawkesbury Mayor Sarah McMahon defend their management of the ferry.

Future Looks Bright for New Cheetah Cubs

The Wild Cat Conservation Centre in Wilberforce has introduced its four, ten week-old cheetah cubs: Dottie, Darcie, Exton, and Ezra.

Over the next 14 to 16 months, the cubs will remain at the centre to learn and develop. The team will assess their personalities for suitability for rewilding, ensuring they grow into independent young cats. The Wild Cat Conservation Centre, Australia’s only rewilding and release program, aims to return the cubs to the wild in Africa.

The centre is seeking sponsors and cheetah cub donors to help care for the young cubs. As a not-for-profit organisation, it relies on public support for its conservation work. “We are proud

in March, the first cheetah ever bred in Australia and returned to the wild, shows that it can be done. Every cheetah deserves a chance to live a natural life, which isn’t possible in a traditional zoo.”

Rewilding cheetahs is costly, requiring hundreds of thousands of dollars. The centre aims to raise funds over the next 12 months to send the cubs home. With fewer than 7,000 cheetahs remaining in Africa, maintaining an insurance population is vital for conservation.

The Wild Cat Conservation Centre is also home to Sydney’s only breeding programs for Cheetah and Clouded Leopard, and it conserves Fishing Cats, Servals, and Caracals. Visitors can view the new cubs through private tours. For

The Coles University of Life

Local Terri Munro has retired from Richmond Coles after 42 years.

Munro was 27 when she started working for the company in need of money to support her two young children.

Living only five minutes away, working at Coles was convenient. She has been at the Richmond store since 1982 and has seen significant changes throughout her time at Coles.

“The biggest change was when they expanded it from the dairy department, the fruit, veg, and deli was added and made bigger into the carpark.” She told The Hawkesbury Post.

Starting solely in the night fill and working her way up, she has managed almost every department in the store, experiencing “its good times and its challenging times,” she said.

Munro has taken other employees under her wing and trained them for management, for which they have been grateful, and she has found it very rewarding.

“One thing I have enjoyed is getting the young ones and watching them go from a shy little thing to a butterfly, and after being here a couple of years, I watched them grow up to a state where I’ve had them come back here and thank me for helping them through life.” She said.

Throughout her time, she has gained loyal customers and bonded with co-workers who have influenced her stay at Coles for longer.

“I have made amazing friends, not just the staff but many good customers I also made friends with. I would say that’s been the best part,” she explained.

“And that’s another reason why you stay here – because of the friends and

That’s

helping your fellow workmates out in bad times.

been really good,” she said. Now retiring at age 68, she has left a lineage at the company with her two

children, who previously worked at Coles, and her grandson, who is currently working there.

“Like I said, it’s had its challenges, but overall, it’s provided money for my

family. My daughter and son worked here, and now I have a grandson working here. I call working at Coles, or any place like Coles, the university of life.” She told Hawkesbury Post.

Club of Richmond

W I N T E R A P P E A L

D O N A T E A N D H E L P U S P R O V I D E

B L A N K E T S , W A R M C L O T H E S , S O C K S ,

B E A N I E S E T C T O P E O P L E E X P E R I E N C I N G

H O M E L E S S N E S S T H I S W I N T E R

T h e r e a r e v a r i o u s c o l l e c t i o n p o i n t s s e t u p i n t h e H a w k e s b u r y a r e a w h e r e y o u c a n d r o p o f f y o u r d o n a t i o n s : B e n d i g o B a n k , 2 7 1 W i n d s o r S t , R i c h m o n d 9 - 5 p m M o n - F r i R a y W h i t e R i c h m o n d , 1 b / 3 4 0 W i n d s o r S t , R i c h m o n d 9 - 5 p m M o n - F r i

N i n a s P r e l o v e d G o o d s 4 8 3 G e o r g e S t r e e t , W i n d s o r

8 - 5 p m M o n - F r i & 8 - 3 p m S a t

R i c h m o n d T r o p h i e s , 1 3 9 M a r c h S t , R i c h m o n d

9 - 5 p m M o n - F r i

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , p l e a s e c o n t a c t :

T a n i a B o y e r - 0 4 0 8 5 6 1 3 0 5

P e t e r C h i d g e y 0 4 1 4 9 2 1 9 1 2

Silver Lining

It’s one year on since I started my farm project and it’s time to fess up…has everything been a swimming success? Well, no. First things first–I forgot to get my soil tested before doing any work; this has left me with no data or baseline to measure against, which is really silly. But I got organised this month and reached out to the soil team at our local University. They pointed me to the right people and lab…albeit...I’m a year late.

With soil samples now underway, I’ll soon see what life and nutrients already exist underfoot. I’ll also be able to test and then compare any future work I do on the farm, back to this initial soil report.

While I’m at it, I’m also having some contamination tests done. More specifically, I’m curious about the current P.F.A.S. levels on my land. In 2019, I had these tests run by our local R.A.A.F. base, and back then, low levels were detected. So, why test again? Well, P.F.A.S. is a shit of a chemical, and if I ever hope to raise meat or grow vege on my land, I need to know what lurks beneath. I also would like to see if there have been any changes to the P.F.A.S. levels since the montage of floods we have had.

Speaking of floods, the most recent flood warning came right after I sowed my Winter seed mix. Terrible timing I have to admit, but worse than that…I used a completely different approach to last year’s Winter spread. Instead of ripping the seeds in like I had done before, we put the seeds into a spreader which simply casted them on top of the soil. Pretty soon it became very clear our ground was not ready to have seeds broadly casted. One by one and then by the dozens, birds started to swoop in. Basically, all we did was give the local wildlife a full spread of delicious bird feed.

This particular failure really hurt. The seeds had been such a great success last year in aerating our soil, and this time around…well…we won’t get to enjoy the same result. Damn.

So, now let’s turn to compost–my last

and final mess up I’m ready to admit today. After all my hype and spruiking over this past year…it turns out…the compost heap I had been building up just hadn’t broken down enough to be put into the spreader. And my poor neighbour who was helping me, kept giving it a go, but after hours of it getting clogged we had to pull the plug. Fortunately, I have a friend that makes commercial compost for a living and I was able to purchase half a tonne from her in time to spread with my Winter seeds. So, is there any silver lining? The seeds were a fail, as was my own com-

post, but the fact that I was able to get a friend’s compost onto my paddocks this year was a great win. Last year, this wasn’t available, so this addition will no doubt bring a greater benefit than the cost of having to buy it in. I have learned that adding organic matter to my land is the number one easiest thing I can do to boost the health of my soil. It won’t be an overnight sensation, but it will really get things humming underground. And I didn’t even have to dig it in…a double win.

Until next time, C W McGregor

Lifestyle

Stylecraft:The Next Generation

Stylecraft & Co., approaching its centennial, is more than a local family-run blind shop; it’s a testament to generational craftsmanship and community collaboration. Established in 1933, North Strathfield, Rebecca’s Grandparents specialised in manufacturing custom-made blinds and awnings. Over the decades, and now under the leadership of Matt and Bec, both with backgrounds in art, textiles, and design, Stylecraft has expanded its offerings beyond traditional window coverings.

The couple saw an opportunity to better serve their clients by offering a broader spectrum of interior design & production services. “During our inhome consultations, customers would often ask for advice to help tie in other elements of their renovation such as choosing paint, furniture, and carpet colours etc”. This pivot led to the inclusion of interior styling, colour consultancy, custom-made bedheads, bench seat cushions, upholstery, cushions, rugs, and wallpaper. “With so much choice available when creating custom-made pieces, we decided we needed to update and simplify our product offering. We created 3 product category tiers – Essentials, Home, and Designer – ensuring accessibility to quality home furnishings across various budgets and tastes.

What truly distinguishes Stylecraft & Co. is its deep-rooted collaboration with local artisans. From carpenters to painters, these skilled craftsmen from Hawkesbury & Western Sydney are integral to our projects. This partnership isn’t merely a business strategy but a celebration of local talent, exemplified by the company’s rebranding to Stylecraft & Co., emphasising their collective effort in creating bespoke interiors. “The main part of our business is working with a variety of talented Australian artisans, whether they’re blind & awning manufacturers,

textile designers, seamstresses, cabinet makers, furniture makers, upholsterers, wall paperer’s, or painters,” he said. Recently relocated to a spacious showroom in North Richmond, Stylecraft & Co. now showcases a comprehensive array of offerings, from curtains, blinds & awnings to customised upholstery and designer furniture pieces.

This expansion underscores their commitment to excellence and innovation as they approach their 100-year milestone.

The legacy of Stylecraft & Co. is also deeply personal. “Our Stylecraft team are like family to us, we simply couldn’t function without Simon & Mitch leading our install team and Sarah & Vicki running operations: says Bec.John & Narelle, who steered the company through previous decades under Stylecraft Blinds and Awnings, remain supportive and proud of the new direction.. Their involvement, even in retirement, reflects a shared commitment to preserving and evolving the family legacy.

“I know they’re very happy that the company’s still going strong and heading towards 100 years in business. They really like the changes that we’ve made during our rebrand and move to our new showroom. My father-in-law, although retired, still lends a helping hand when needed and the same with Narelle to be honest, she’ll jump on a sewing machine if need be, yeah, I hope they’re excited about the future for us and the business,” Matt said.

Matt and Bec envision a future where their daughters, Marlowe and Darla may continue this rich tradition. At just eight & five years of age, their budding interest in art & interior design hints at a promising future for Stylecraft & Co., ensuring that craftsmanship and community collaboration remain at the heart of their business for generations to come.

Local Artist Laura Jones Wins Archibald

“I am thrilled beyond words and never expected to win the Archibald Prize,” said Laura Jones. “Growing up in Kurrajong, I always dreamed of being an artist. Today, that dream feels truly validated.”

Laura Jones, a native of Kurrajong, has won Australia’s top art award, the Archibald Prize, for her portrait of author and environmental advocate Tim Winton. The Sydney-based artist accepted her award at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, marking a significant achievement in her career.

Jones said she hopes that this recognition will inspire young girls to pursue careers in art. Reflecting on her childhood, she added, “As a little girl in Kurrajong, I dreamed about being an artist: I’ve been lucky enough to make that dream come true. More than any other event, today shows that I wasn’t completely crazy.”

Discussing her portrait of Winton, Jones said, “I wanted to highlight his environmental advocacy through my painting.” During her visit to Winton in Fremantle, they discussed printmaking, political activism, and environmental issues, which influenced her artistic approach. She adopted a technique resembling monotype printmaking, using thin brushstrokes to let the paint bleed across the canvas like ink into paper.

Jones’s victory makes her only the 12th woman to win the Archibald Prize in its 103-year history, joining notable past winners such as Julia Gutman, Nora Heysen, and Del Kathryn Barton.

This year’s Archibald Prize featured 57 finalists, including 29 women, 28 men, and 4 Indigenous Australian artists. Among them, 25 were first-time finalists, with 5 self-portraits and 15 works featuring artists.

This is Jones’s fourth time as an Archibald finalist. She previously painted actor Claudia Karvan (2023), journalist Brooke Boney (2022), and playwright Nakkiah Lui (2019). Additionally, she was a finalist in this year’s Sulman Prize for her self-portrait titled *Sliding Doors*.

Jones hopes her work continues to enchant, much like Winton’s philosophy that “the purpose of art is not to persuade, but to enchant.”

Lifestyle

Winter Soup Delights – A hug (or three) in a bowl

By Fiona Hamann

I would be happy if the year only had two seasons–soup season in the cooler months and salad season in the warmer months. Now, we are completely in the throes of winter, and soup season is here. Hurrah. Nothing better than the fireplace crackling with warmth and the aroma of simmering soup in the air, promising comfort and satisfaction. This month, I’m sharing three delicious soup recipes that will tantalise the taste buds and warm the soul.

As usual, I have sourced hero ingredients locally, all of which are friendly on the hip pocket.

With the rising cost of living, it can be tempting to buy ingredients at the big supermarkets, but if you can buy from local suppliers, you will do your bit to keep the local economy alive.

If we don’t support them, they will not survive, and if we do, that mon

Add the wine, parsnip and cauliflower florets (and potato if using) and simmer covered for 20 minutes or until the onion begins to caramelise but not burn.

Add the stock, bring to the boil, and simmer covered for another 10 minutes.

Cool slightly and whizz with a stick blender or food processor until smooth. Add salt and pepper according to taste, drizzle with cream and sprinkle with fresh thyme. Serve with a crusty, buttery baguette.

Hearty Beef Cheek Minestrone

I made this recently when I took advantage of the great price on beef cheeks at Sydney Wholesale Meats in Richmond. Beef Cheeks are a very budget-friendly cut of meat, but they must be cooked for a long time.

I have been making this minestrone for years. I used to freeze it and take it away when we went camping, then

Cauliflower soup Embrace the good ness of locally sourced vegetables from Sciberrras in Freemans Reach with this budget-friendly vegetarian and gluten-free soup. It’s a little bit sweet, savoury, creamy, and wholesome, and a perfect companion for chilly winter evenings. If you want it to be heavier, replace the cauliflower with a couple of small potatoes (peeled and diced) or add them to the recipe and slightly increase the vegetable stock by another 250 ml.

Serves 4

Cook time: 40 minutes

30g butter

3 large onions thinly sliced (I used a mandolin slice)

1.5 tablespoons brown sugar (tightly packed)

1 cup white wine (dry, not sweet)

3 large parsnips, peeled and sliced

1/4 cauliflower, broken into florets

2 small potatoes, peeled and diced (optional)

1.25 litres vegetable stock

1/4 cup cream

Fresh thyme for garnish

Melt the butter in a heavy-based saucepan. Add the onion and sugar. Cook over low heat for about 10 minutes.

and eat it with crunchy warm sourdough

Serves 6

Cook time – around 3 hours, including preparation.

2 Tb Olive Oil

500-600g Beef Cheeks, trimmed of fat and sinew and cut into 2cm chunks

1 onion

2 each peeled carrots, celery stalks and garlic cloves, finely and uniformly chopped

100g tomato paste (one of those small tubs)

150ml red wine

1 tin chopped tomatoes

1 litre beef stock

125g risoni/orzo pasta

100g baby spinach leaves or chopped

silverbeet (remove white stem)

Parmesan

Season the beef with salt and pepper, and heat oil in a heavy-based pot.

Brown the beef in batches and remove it from the pan.

and stir for 3-4 minutes until the vegeta bles start to soften.

the tomato paste, and stir through. Add the wine, tinned tomatoes, and stock, and bring to a simmer. Turn the heat to very low, partially cover the pot, and cook for two hours until the beef is very tender.

10 minutes. Stir in the spinach or silverbeet to wilt.

Serve up and top with parmesan, pesto or basil.

Asian Duck Breast Soup with Somen noodles One of the Hawkesbury’s culinary success stories is the fabulous Pepes Ducks, a family-owned and operated business that supplies most of Sydney’s restaurants. Locals can swing by the factory store, based at 17 Walk er St, South Windsor, NSW 2756, for a

people to help themselves; or for some sweetness, add a dollop of hoisin sauce according to taste.

Serves 4

Cook time – 30 minutes

4 duck breasts, skin on

1 1/2 tsp five spice powder

1 teaspoon peanut oil

200g dried somen noodles

Riverside Gardens Crossword

2 Doc Holliday is commonly associated with which infamous figure of the American ‘Wild West’?

3 Who did prime minister Paul Keating unexpectedly defeat in the 1993 federal election?

4 An endocrinologist is an expert in which medical field?

5 Former US basketball champion Shaquille O’Neal (pictured) has a PhD in which field?

6 What film contains the

The leftover letters will spell out a secret message.

line ‘Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here! This is the War Room!’?

7 For Western Australians, what does the Fremantle Doctor refer to?

8 How many actors have played The Doctor in the long-running BBC show Doctor Who?

9 What is the abbreviation ‘PhD’ short for?

10 Galen was a historical physician during the time of which ancient empire?

Place each of the tiles of letters into the blank jigsaw below to create four sixletter words going across and down.

Theme: Homes

There may be more than one possible answer.

Drop Down

Starting with the sevenletter word, drop a letter and form a six-letter word. Continue in this manner until you reach the single letter at the bottom. You can rearrange the letters in each step, if necessary.

There may be more than one possible answer.

Crossmath

Fill in the blank cells using the numbers from 1 to 9. Each number can only appear once in each row, column and 3x3 block

Insert each number from 1 to 9 in the shaded squares to solve all the horizontal and vertical equations. Multiplication and division are performed before addition and subtraction.

Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down.

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.

Today’s Focus: 16 words: Good

24 words: Very good

32 words: Excellent

1 What is the first name of Dr Watson, partner of fictional detective Sherlock Holmes?

Sport

Hawkesbury’s Courtney Nevin to Join Matildas at Paris Olympics

The Hawkesbury’s own Courtney Nevin is set to compete at the Paris Olympics as a travelling reserve for the Matildas, Australia’s national women’s football team.

Last month, the Australian Olympic Committee announced the 18-member Matildas squad for Paris 2024, with Nevin chosen as one of four travelling reserves. These reserves can replace an athlete in the event of injury or other withdrawal from the team.

Member for Hawkesbury Robyn Preston congratulated Nevin in a speech to Parliament; “In Hawkesbury, we claim Courtney and are incredibly proud of her sporting prowess, culminating in her national representation. I would also like to acknowledge Courtney’s parents, Angelica and Phil, who must be very proud of their daughter. Courtney is a defender, and the Matildas’ first Olympic match is at 3 AM on the 26th of July, where they will take on the formidable German team in Marseille. Mr Speaker, like many Australians and her legions of Hawkesbury fans, I will be cheering Courtney Nevin and the Matildas on their Olympic journey. Go Courtney!” Nevin currently plays fullback for Leicester City in the English Women’s Super League and represents Australia on the Matildas team. She began her stellar career with the Oakville Ravens before joining the Blacktown Spartans in the NPL. She is also contracted to the Western Sydney Wanderers in the Women’s League.

The Matildas, captained by Steph Catley, includes eight athletes who will become the first Australian footballers to compete in three Olympic Games. These athletes are Catley, vice-captain Emily Van Egmond, Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Caitlin Foord, Alanna Kennedy, Clare Polkinghorne, and Tameka Yallop. Kyra Cooney-Cross, Mary Fowler, Katrina Gorry, Michelle Heyman, Teagan Micah, and Hayley Raso are returning for their second Games. At the same time, Clare Hunt, Kaitlyn Torpey, Cortnee Vine, and Clare

Wheeler will make their Olympic debut. The Matildas enter Paris following Australia’s best-ever finish in Olympic football, having secured fourth place in Tokyo.

Matildas Head Coach Tony Gustavsson welcomed the announcement, saying: “This has been an incredibly

challenging squad to select with so many quality players competing fiercely for limited spots. It has been a methodical process over the past couple of years to reach this point, and each of the players selected brings unique and beneficial qualities to our team that will be vital for our Paris 2024

campaign. I would like to congratulate all the players selected and the teammates, coaches, family, and friends who have supported them to this moment. I know this team will give everything for the coat of arms and will represent Australia to the best of their ability in the true Aussie way.”

Corey’s Race Diary: 4th in Finke Desert Epic

The Finke Desert Race, known as Australia’s toughest off-road contest, is a gruelling 226-kilometre track stretching from Alice Springs to the remote community of Finke (Apatula) and back. For a select few, it’s an entry into the history books, and rising star Hawkesbury local Corey Hammond is well on his way after securing a stunning 4th place in this year’s race. It takes dedication, sacrifice, physical agility, and mental toughness. Back home in Hawkesbury, Corey gave us a rundown of how the race panned out.

Friday Night: Scrutineering Friday night’s scrutineering saw a lot of attention drawn to my well-presented bike. I even signed some autographs for young kids. It was a great start to the weekend.

Saturday: Prologue/Qualifying Saturday’s prologue saw us bikes start around 1 PM. I was the 5th bike to head out, and my time placed me in 8th position to start day 1.

Day 1: The Race Begins We started at noon. The top 20 bikes

from the prologue leave in groups of 2 every minute, so I was on grid 4. I got off to a good start and was leading my grid before I was passed on the 2nd corner. I made the pass back at the 30 km mark. I rode really tight and got some pretty bad arm pump for the first 90 km before I settled in and loosened up. I then passed another rider at the 170 km mark and was right on another rider but couldn’t make the pass in the dust. Since the race goes off corrected time, my time from day 1 placed me in 4th overall.”

Day 2: The Final Push I started 1 minute 40 seconds behind 3rd place and 52 seconds in front of 5th. I had a pretty clean and consistent run home with no dust. I was able to hold my 4th position and put another minute and a half between me and 5th place. Reflecting on his performance, Corey said, “This is a big improvement on my 7th place finish last year. I will be back again next year with more experience and the goal of a podium finish.”

Local Equestrian Legend, Colleen Brook, Honoured

With a dedication to equestrian sports which has spanned decades, Colleen Brook received the prestigious Distinguished Long Service Award at the upcoming NSW Community Sports Awards, presented by Sport NSW, on Wednesday, June 19. The Awards night, conducted at CommBank Stadium, recognised outstanding achievements and contributions to community sport in NSW, which is largely carried out by a volunteer workforce.

Brook is one of 21 recipients from a wide cross-section of sports to receive their Award from NSW Sports Minister, the Hon. Steve Kamper.

With a passion for horses that ignited in her youth, Brook, who lives in Wilberforce, embarked on a journey that would see her become a pillar of the equestrian community. Starting as a Junior Instructor in the late 1960s, her talent and commitment propelled her into the spotlight, drawing demand for her coaching, as her competitive career flourished.

However, it was not just her success in the arena that caught the attention of many. In the mid-1980s, Equestrian Australia recognised her potential and enlisted Swedish Army Major Tor Burman to develop a coaching system for the country. Brook was among the first cohort to undergo accreditation, marking the beginning of her influential role as a Coach Educator.

Traveling across the nation, Brook dedicated herself to coach training, imparting her wisdom and expertise to aspiring equestrians of all ages and skill levels. Today, she coaches at Level

3 in various disciplines, including General, Showjumping, and Eventing.

Sports NSW Chairperson Chris Hall commended Brook on her award, saying, “Volunteers such as Colleen are the backbone of grassroots and community sport, and it is fitting these Distinguished Long Service Award recipients are recognised and honoured. We thank them for their years of selfless dedication, which has enabled generations of boys and girls, men and women, to participate in sport and enjoy the life skills, social benefits, and community spirit it provides.

“Sport has the unique unifying ability to bring people of different cultures and backgrounds together. At the centre is the army of volunteers who each week dedicate themselves to ensure the games are played, the fields are marked, the canteen is stocked, and the barbeque is sizzling.

“Sport is at the heart of our local communities and, quite simply, sport would not exist without our magnificent volunteers,” Hall said.

The Awards presentation evening celebrates volunteers across 12 categories for their outstanding achievements and excellence over the past year. The categories are Community Official of the Year, Young Official of the Year, Community Coach of the Year, Young Coach of the Year, Community Sports Administrator of the Year, Volunteer Director of the Year, Community Team of the Year, Community Club of the Year, Inclusion Achievement of the Year, Community Event of the Year, Innovation of the Year and Local Council of the Year.