June 2024 Hawkesbury Post

Hawkesbury Braces for 7,000

Strong Housing Onslaught

An unprecedented surge in development west of the Hawkesbury River could potentially see more than 7,000 new dwellings mushrooming in coming years, transforming one of the last semi-rural areas in the Sydney basin into suburban outposts.

Documents seen by the Hawkesbury Post reveal ambitious plans by property developers to construct housing estates spanning more than 1,500 acres of land in North Richmond, Glossodia, Freemans Reach, and Grose Wold. All of these proposed developments, except for a Redbank extension, currently fall under the Primary Production zoning.

In May, the Planning Panel, the body responsible for green-lighting or rejecting new developments, rejected one such proposal: Belmont Park at 61 Grose River Road, Grose Wold. The picturesque horse stud, emblematic of the area’s rural charm, faced the axe, although developers are expected to return with a revised plan to address concerns and push through the development.

Another project awaiting the Panel’s verdict is the extension of Redbank, with a boundary adjustment related to the 180-hectare development at 61 Yobarnie Road, North Richmond. Numerous other significant developments by other developers are poised to seek approval, potentially ushering thousands more residents west of the Hawkesbury River.

Already underway, Jacaranda Ponds in Glossodia sees the sale of 580 lots by Celestino Developments, a prominent Western Sydney property developer. Adjacent to this, the Grasslands Stud, acquired by Celestino’s owner John Camilleri in 2011, lies dormant, signalling the area’s earmarked transition into a future suburb.

Perhaps the most significant development on the horizon, yet to face Council scrutiny, is Hambledon Park, the former Peel Dairy, purchased for $60 million in 2021 by Celestino. Envisaged as a potential new Sydney suburb, Hambledon Park holds approval for a small rural subdivision of 25 lots, with estimates suggesting up to 5,000 smaller lots could be carved out.

“Hambledon Park will one day be a new suburb of Sydney,” Cushman & Wakefield selling agent Anthony Bray said at the time of the sale.

Several developments are underway in Kurrajong, with two managed by Hawkesbury Mayor Sarah McMahon’s domestic partner, Matthew Bennett.

Despite protestations from Cr McMahon that no new development should take place until the area has more connectivity to the other side of the river, it seems that the only partly scoped, and possibly not fully funded, plans for a second bridge at Richmond are enough.

However, residents are increasingly concerned that Hawkesbury is becoming yet another suburban outpost of Sydney plagued by inadequate public transport, lengthy commutes, diminishing farmland, environmental degradation, destruction of wildlife habitat, and erosion of the region’s rural character.

Grit, Guts and Glory: Corey Hammond’s Journey to the Finke Desert Race

At 22, Corey Hammond, from South Windsor, is carving out a name for himself in the gruelling world of enduro bike racing. Along with the Finke Race, the Hattah Desert Race near Mildura is one of his favourites, and he dreams of competing on the world stage one day in races like the Dakar.

You need stamina, physical and mental fitness, an excellent support team, and a top-notch bike to win the Finke Desert Race. But according to Corey Hammond, one of Australia’s top young endurance riders, in the end, it comes down to “who’s got the biggest balls.”

At 22, Corey Hammond, from South Windsor, is carving out a name for himself in the gruelling world of enduro bike racing. Along with the Finke Race, the Hattah Desert Race near Mildura is one of his favourites, and he dreams of competing on the world stage one day in races like the Dakar. The three are considered the most challenging races in the world for both man and machine.

Preparing for the iconic Finke Desert Race, which will take place in the Northern Territory this month, Corey spoke to the Hawkesbury Post about the intense

preparation, the mental toughness required, and his dreams of turning professional.

The Finke Desert Race is a gruelling event where participants race across a 230-kilometre track through the harsh Australian desert. Blinded by heavy desert dust, riders can reach speeds of up to 180 kilometres per hour, with an average speed of around 120 to 125 kilometres per hour.

“It’s a big desert race through the middle of Australia,” Corey explains. “Normally, there’s about 500 to 600 bikes, but this year, the numbers have dropped to around 400. We race from Alice Springs to Finke on Sunday and then back to Alice Springs on Monday. It’s a tough race with a lot of crashes and ambulance trips.”

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Unearthing Local Heroes: Inspiration Amidst Adversity

Letters to the Editor

I read with interest the latest edition of the Hawkesbury Post’s multiple comments on the recent Hawkesbury-Nepean flood.

Several important points have been omitted or not considered in Stuart Khan’s piece, “Flood Protection and Water Security”, which need investigation. If the full supply level [FSL] of Warragamba is reduced by 800 gigalitres [GL] for flood mitigation purposes, how long will this take? According to RMS figure in the “Raise the Wall” EIS, the following river flows will close H-N River bridges: Yarramundi 80 GL per day; North Richmond bridge 90 GL per day; Windsor bridge 100 GL per day. This figure should be around 125 GL per day based upon recent flood information.

So, to remove 800 GL from the dam, and without any other flow entering the H-N River, would require the following number of days minimum, if bridges are to be kept open: Yarramundi 800/80 = 10 days; Nth. Richmond 800/90 = 8.9 days; Windsor 800/125 = 6.4 days.

WaterNSW would need to start letting water out a minimum of 6.4 days before a rain event.

This will not happen!

It is not being discussed in the media and WaterNSW refuses to discuss it, but there is an air space in Warragamba of up to 900 GL above the FSL, if water is allowed to rise to the top of the lowest section in the fuse plug auxiliary spillway. The auxiliary spillway was constructed to prevent overtopping of the dam wall in a probable maximum flood [PMF]. If water rises to the top of the auxiliary spillway the dam wall gates will be under water. WaterNSW refuses to say if the gates would be damaged. It appears that WaterNSW will not allow the water level to rise up the auxiliary spillway wall during normal dam operation, but if they did, a flood mitigation volume of up to 900 GL would be available, without reducing the dam’s normally full supply of 2000 GL. There would be water leaving the dam over the top of the gates.

P.S.

If you have a look at a photo of Warragamba dam when it is full, you will see that the top of the auxiliary spillway wall is 12-15 meters above the water level. Yours sincerely, Ian Nicholls

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

In recent years we have been consumed by a barrage of crises. Bushfires, COVID-19, devastating floods, and a spiraling cost of living have dominated our lives and headlines. Amidst these challenges, it’s easy to overlook the remarkable stories of resilience and inspiration emerging from our local communities. However, when we take a moment to look closer, we find an abundance of talent and determination right at our doorstep.

A few months ago, we had the pleasure of profiling Alice Parker, a worldclass sailor from our region. In a sport traditionally dominated by men, Alice has become a formidable force, breaking barriers and setting new standards and inspiring a new generation of young athletes.

But Alice is just one example of the exceptional talent thriving in our community. Currently, a group of showjumpers from Hawkesbury are competing against the world’s best in Europe, some vying for a spot on the Australian team

This month, our cover story features Corey Hammond, a 22-year-old endurance bike racer who exemplifies grit and guts. Corey is preparing to compete in the Finke Desert Race, one of the toughest bike races in Australia. His journey is one of relentless training, resilience, and an unyielding spirit. Corey’s story is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved with determination and hard work, even in the face of daunting challenges.

These stories are not anomalies; they are reflective of a larger, often overlooked, narrative. Our community is brimming with individuals who are achieving extraordinary feats, often without the recognition they deserve. Their accomplishments are not just personal victories; they are sources of collective pride and inspiration.

Despite the challenges we face, there is always room for hope and inspiration. We hope these stories help us to look beyond the immediate crises and recognise the remarkable achievements

Hawkesbury’s Toxic Waterways

Professor Ian Wright, a water scientist from Western Sydney University, warns that swimming in the Hawkesbury River is akin to playing Russian roulette. The river, a popular recreational spot, is plagued with blue-green algae blooms and faecal contamination, making it hazardous for swimmers. Unlike Sydney’s beaches, which are tested daily, the Hawkesbury River undergoes no regular water quality testing despite its extensive use by thousands of people.

In an interview, Wright said the lack of testing and the subsequent risks posed to the public was “absolutely outrageous.” “This river is vital to Sydney, yet there is no information available to the public on the safety of swimming or boating here,” he said.

“It’s almost like a comic tragedy. This is the river that Sydney depends on yet I can find much more information on Avalon or Palm Beach, where we get, quite appropriately, warnings about swimming after bad weather. And they back that up with regular testing of bacteria. Yet, for the poor people of Western Sydney and the farmers and people affected by flooding, a scratch on the leg could see you end up in hospital. It’s just outrageous on so many levels,” he said

Following the recent floods in April and May, the Hawkesbury Post contacted the EPA, Water NSW, SydneyWater, Hawkesbury City Council (HCC) and the Water Minister’s office. All maintained that it was not their responsibility to monitor or test the water during those flood events. HCC also maintained that flood waters downstream of the sewerage treatment plant at McGraths Hill were safe despite no testing having been undertaken.

Professor Ian Wright, a water scientist from Western Sydney University, warns that swimming in the Hawkesbury River is akin to playing Russian roulette.

“The floods in April 2024 had a direct impact on the constructed wetlands, which are part of the treatment process at the McGraths Hill Sewage Treatment Plant. The treated waters in these constructed wetlands have, by that stage, already undergone a secondary level treatment and would represent no greater source of water pollution than runoff from a typical urban catchment,” a spokesperson for HCC said.

Wright criticised Sydney Water and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for their roles in this oversight. Sydney Water is permitted to dump effluent into the river under a licence from the EPA, which Wright describes as “very generous.”

Wright’s research and teaching involve regular river testing, and his findings have been alarming. “We have found high levels of nutrients and faecal coliform in the water. It’s a risk, especially with treated sewage entering the river,” he noted. The situation is further complicated by the river’s tidal nature, which can carry contaminants upstream, posing additional risks.

Testing of Boundary Creek by Wright and his students after the recent “miniflood” found at E.coli levels at 1413/

100mls. The “safe” swimming level is 260/100mls. The “not safe” swimming level is 550/100mls. Wright estimates that Boundary Creek is 98 percent treated sewerage from the Penrith sewerage treatment plant.

But the pollution extends far further. One of the most polluted waterways feeding into the Hawkesbury River is South Creek, and the situation is worsening due to the expanding population and housing developments,” Wright explained. “It’s always a different shade of chocolate brown, milk chocolate or dark chocolate,” he said.

“South Creek is one of the most polluted waterways in Australia. I won’t pull punches. It is used as a flushing repository for a lot of sewage. This is St Mary’s, Quaker Hill, McGraths Hill. Then you’ve got all urban runoff. It’s just ridiculous”

He also identified Yarramundi as a hazardous spot for swimming due to its poor water quality.

Wright says Sydney Water does treat the wastewater flushed into the river but says the EPA provides an “extremely generous licence”. “When I say extremely generous, the EPA licence permits a level of pollution that is too generous for the river. There has been blue-green algae in the river regularly.” Wright says blue-green algae is a function of nutrient and waste.

Despite the severe contamination, there is no consistent effort to monitor the water quality in the Hawkesbury River. Wright contrasted this with the stringent monitoring of Sydney’s coastal beaches, where regular testing and public advisories are standard practice. He believes similar measures should be implemented for the Hawkesbury River to protect public health.

During floods, the river’s contamination levels rise significantly. “The water becomes putrid and dangerous, yet there is no testing done,” Wright said. He highlighted the need for more support and information for residents.

Wright said there is a broader issue of government accountability, stating that all three levels of government are failing the people of Western Sydney.

He has called for a coordinated effort from local councils, the state government, and Sydney Water to address the issue. “We need comprehensive water

quality testing and public advisories to ensure the safety of the community. If we don’t measure it, we are neglecting a critical public health issue,” he stressed. “Sydney Water makes a fortune for

the state government in the order of half a billion a year profit. They use the river to dump the effluent; they should pay for the testing for the people affected by it,” he says.

Hawkesbury Braces for 7,000 Strong Housing Onslaught

Infrastructure deficiencies exacerbate the situation, with scant amenities and no critical health facilities west of the river. This is compounded by vulnerability to natural disasters like floods, which can sever connectivity and isolate communities for hours or days.

Critics argue that the rush towards development lacks any foresight, with insufficient provision for essential infrastructure to support burgeoning populations. While developers occasionally contribute to infrastructure upgrades, the promised amenities often lag, leaving residents with inadequate services for years after the development. It’s now more than a decade since Redbank’s developers set aside funds for the Grose River Bridge, a project whose date continues to be pushed out and now appears unlikely until at least the next decade.

“In terms of the deficit in infrastructure, amenities and utilities such as water and sewer, it is archaic that multiple places on the western side of the river still rely on carted water and sullage, being pumped out weekly”, Hawkesbury City Councillor Mary Lyons-Buckett says.

“This comes at a great cost to these residents, and before additional housing is developed west of the river, there should be reasonable solutions put into place to address this. It’s 2024, and the fact that trucks have to pump out poo is symbolic of poor planning decisions years ago, and ones which we should never repeat.”

The push for urban expansion also raises questions about affordability and accessibility to employment, with commuting becoming financially burdensome and detrimental to residents’ well-being and community engagement.

“There’s this really invidious idea that if you take that development, then you get the infrastructure to cope with the development,” Greens Councillor Danielle Wheeler says. “When we know that that never happens, or if it does happen, it happens ten years later. And that’s too late for the people who are already living here. And it’s too late for people who are buying there as well. They have been sold a dummy.”

Cr Wheeler also raised the issue that these developments ignore the need for more affordable housing close to work.

“Where will these people work?” she

Grit, Guts and Glory: Corey Hammond’s Journey to the Finke Desert Race

PAGE 1

This will be Corey’s fourth attempt at the Finke Desert Race. Reflecting on his first year, he recalls the daunting experience due to limited track knowledge and challenging conditions. “The more time you spend on the track, the better,” he says. “In the first year, I only had a week and a half to learn the track, which made it tough to navigate through the dust.” But that’s not the only obstacle challenging riders.” A lot of the tracks we are on just run through cattle stations. So we deal with cattle, donkeys, and kangaroos at ridiculous speed. You’ll have a couple jump out of that bush. That aspect of it is very scary,” he says.

Corey’s best finish so far has been seventh place. His journey into desert bike racing began reluctantly, introduced to the sport by his uncle. “I was young and found it quite daunting,” Corey admits. “But in 2021, we decided to give the Finke a try, and I fell in love with the atmosphere, the racing, and the people in Alice Springs.”

In his junior career, Corey won the Australian Off-Road Championship – J3 championship in 2016 and clocked up numerous other notable results. In 2011, he raced his first Hattah Desert Race, which he has raced every year since.

The financial and personal commitment required for this sport is significant. Corey largely self-funds his campaigns while working full-time as a machinery operator. “It’s a costly sport,” he notes. “We spend about $50,000 to $60,000 each year on the race. I’m lucky to have supportive parents and a boss who allows me time off.”

Corey dreams of turning professional and competing overseas. “That’s the dream,” he says. I was hoping for more support from manufacturers last year, but the pandemic has made sponsorships hard to come by.”

Preparation for such an intense race involves physical training and mental conditioning. “It’s 70% mental and 30% riding ability,” Corey explains. “You need to believe in yourself and your abilities. It’s easy to make mistakes when you’re on the bike for so long, so mental toughness is crucial.”

Corey’s mum, Suzanne, said he is working hard towards his dream and making the necessary sacrifices along the way.

“His passion and dedication towards his racing, for a young man, are truly remarkable,” Suzanne says. “He’s up at 3 am and off to the gym 6/7 mornings a week to train and get his body and mind ready for the toll of Desert racing. After training, he heads home to shower, get dressed and eat breakfast in the car on the way to work each morning. His nighttime routine is home from work, showers, dinner, stretches, meditation, and bed.”

The camaraderie among riders is another aspect Corey enjoys about the sport. “We’re all mates and happy to help each other out off the track,” he says. “But when the helmets go on, it’s business. We share stories of our near-misses and experiences, which adds to the camaraderie.”

Despite the dangers and challenges, Corey remains passionate about desert bike racing. “It’s who’s got the biggest

asks. “They’ll be on the road, driving out of the Hawkesbury every day which adds hours of commuting each day. That’s really expensive, but it’s also really bad for your health. You have no time with your family, you have no time to exercise, no time to cook or shop. So you don’t have time to act as a member of the local community either. So in that regard, it’s bad for the Hawkesbury as well.”

Former Liberal, now Independent Councillor Nathan Zamprogno, says the issue of future urban development in Hawkesbury would be a key issue in

this September’s Council elections. He cited the chamber delaying the adoption of the Local Environment Plan and the ramming through of the Rural Boundary Clearing Code (RPCC) as two issues where Council’s actions have favoured developers.

“Belmont Park is just the tip of the iceberg”, Zamprogno says. Huge tracts of land have been snapped up by other developers. I think voters are entitled to know about plans that could put 8000 more houses on the other side of the river without demanding key infrastructure first.”

balls,” he says, summing up what it takes to win a race like the Finke.

Support from his family has been crucial. “My parents are very supportive,” Corey says. “My dad (Brad) accompanies me to every race, handling logistics and ensuring everything runs smoothly.”

Balancing a full-time job and a demanding sport is no small feat. Corey

works as a machinery operator, requiring significant time and effort. “I’m lucky to have a good boss who allows me the time off,” he says. “But a lot of my money goes into this sport.”

Looking ahead, Corey dreams of competing in international events like the Dakar Rally. “I’d love to get overseas and race professionally,” he says. “It’s tough, but that’s the goal.”

Hambledon Park, the former Peel Dairy, holds approval for a small rural subdivision of 25 lots, with estimates suggesting up to 5,000 smaller lots could be carved out. Artist’s Impression.

Major Development Belmont Park Knocked Back, for Now

The Hawkesbury Local Planning Panel (HLPP) has sent the proponents of the controversial Belmont Park development back to the drawing board. The Panel dismissed the proposal as premature and outlined a laundry list of objections, including deficiencies in flood access and poor alignment with a range of regional housing policies.

“The Planning Proposal is considered premature pending necessary strategic evaluation at a district and regional level concerning whether further housing development is to occur in North Richmond, particularly in light of flood-related isolation risks,” HLPP said in a Report for Advice issued after its April 18 meeting. The Post has learned that the HLPP took less than an hour to dismiss the proposal.

The overwhelming rejection of the proposal for 1,200 new dwellings at 1, 35, 61 and 63 Grose Vale Rd, Grose Wold was also linked to the lack of medical and other services west of the Hawkesbury River that have particular resonance when floods cut off the area.

There are still questions about the funding and timing of the new Richmond Bridge and the Grose Vale Bridge. The latter, promised by the developers of the still-expanding Redbank Estate, continues to be pushed out on “the never-never,” according to independent Hawkesbury City Councillor Nathan Zamprogno.

“Concerns remain about the impact on the community during flood events, particularly the isolation caused by the vulnerability of major access routes and the inadequate provision of community and medical services west of the Hawkesbury River,” the HLPP Report said.

The Panel’s commentary casts doubt over a raft of other developments that have been publicly mooted. West of the river, there are a number of large acreages and proposed developments, including Celestino’s proposal to develop Hambledon Park, the old Peel’s Dairy site, on Terrace Road.

The Belmont Park property is owned by E & D Kavanagh Nominees Pty Ltd, whose address is listed as care of Southern Summit Advisory, a Cronulla-based

accounting and advisory firm. Eugene Kavanagh is listed as the sole director and shareholder. Eugene & Debbie Kavanagh reside at Grose River Road. Records show that Kavanagh purchased the land in 2015 for just over $9 million from thoroughbred breeding and racing group Godolphin, but the sale was not officially announced until 2021.

The Kavanaghs’ development partners are listed as Bondi Beachside SEED Projects and Pyrmont-based Urbaco. In 2021, when they began discussions with Hawkesbury City Council and other authorities, documents show that the Kavanaghs lodged a detailed objection to plans for the redevelopment of the neighbouring St John of God Hospital site.

“Residents have been right to be concerned about developers buying up large tranches of land west of the river and then agitating, both to Council and to the State Government, for huge

projects to be approved,” Cr Zamprogno told the Post.

“They collectively seek to increase the number of houses around North Richmond and up both Grose Vale and Bells Line of Roads by more than eight thousand dwellings, over and top of what is happening at Redbank.”

The Planning Panel cited the Metropolitan Rural Area (MRA) framework as one policy which acts as a bulwark against the further loss of agricultural, equine, and open space on Sydney’s fringes.

Last year, developer lobby group Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) called for the MRA policy to be revoked.

“Removing that protection and potentially opening the floodgates to inappropriate development,” Cr Zamprogno said.

The Local Planning Panel is overseen by Hawkesbury City Council, but its

membership consists of independent experts and community representatives selected by the Council through a nomination process. Planning Panel members who adjudicated on the Belmont Park proposal were Alternate Chair Stephen Leathley, Expert Panel Members Wayne Carter and Elizabeth Kinkade, and Community Representative Michael Edwards. HCC recently issued its three-yearly call for nominations to refresh the Planning Panel.

“The election in September will be a referendum about the Hawkesbury’s future,” Cr Zamprogno said. “To preserve our rural outlook, Council has to stand strong against inappropriate developments of this type. Developers have bought this land at a premium, expecting they can drive approvals through one way or the other. My view is that it’s the people of the Hawkesbury who decide what we want our city to look like.”

Insurance in Crisis As Residents Struggle For Cover

The inability to obtain insurance in flood-prone areas is pushing Hawkesbury businesses and individuals to the brink. This critical issue came into sharp focus during a recent inquiry by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics into insurers’ responses to natural disasters. The inquiry, held on May 9 at the Richmond Club, featured testimonies from Hawkesbury residents and business owners, detailing their experiences with insurance companies following flooding over the past few years..

The committee, which included Susan Templeman MP (Member for Macquarie), Dr. Daniel Murlino MP (Chair, Member for Fraser), Jerome Laxale MP (Member for Bennelong), and Andrew Gee MP (Member for Calare), heard deeply emotional and at times heartbreaking accounts.

President of the Hawkesbury Chamber of Commerce, Gabrielle Benkovich shared her personal experience. “My house will never flood in the Hawkesbury. It’s not possible, I don’t believe. But I got a letter from the insurance company saying, ‘We will no longer cover you.’ I asked if we could exclude flood cover, and they told us, ‘No, we will just not cover you at all.’”

Jubilee Vineyard Estate owner, Ray Hayek, echoed similar frustrations: “We simply can’t get it. The last quote given to us was close to $100,000. It’s cost-prohibitive. My suggestion would be to revert to when the government had some understanding or a federal policy mechanism for those areas where the public still lives.”

Local resident, Scott Hinks recounted his struggle to find insurance after receiving a notice from his insurer in 2021 that they would no longer cover him. “Some insurance companies provided quotations from $30,000 to $60,000, with one offering a discount of $51.87 if I paid the full amount upfront. Another happily offered me tsunami coverage at no additional charge,” Hinks said, highlighting the absurdity and complexity of the situation.

President of the Hawkesbury Chamber of Commerce, Gabrielle Benkovich shared her personal experience. “My house will never flood in the Hawkesbury. It’s not possible, I don’t believe. But I got a letter from the insurance company saying, ‘We will no longer cover you.’ I asked if we could exclude flood cover, and they told us, ‘No, we will just not cover you at all.’”

Resident Barry Gill’s ordeal following the March 2022 rain event further highlighted the systemic issues. A landslip destroyed his septic system, and despite being a long-term NRMA policyholder, his claims process became a frustrating ordeal. “Communication was lacking or deceptive, and resolution was delayed beyond industry standards,” he said. Mr. Gill’s experience, including the insurer’s failure to provide temporary accommodation despite policy entitlements, stretched over 21 months, well beyond the stipulated 12-month timeframe.

Another resident pointed out the absurdity of postcode-based insurance. “The 2756 postcode covers everything from Pitt Town Bottoms, which gets as low as 6.2 meters AHD, up to the highest point in Glossodia, which can get to 40, which is approximately 46 meters AHD. Yet it is the same for that entire postcode. My mother lives at Glossodia. If she floods, the whole of Sydney’s gone. Yet her insurance premiums have increased because of flood risk,” the res-

ident noted, illustrating the nonsensical nature of the approach.”

Hawkesbury City Council representatives, including General Manager Elizabeth Richardson, Mayor Sarah McMahon, and Floodplain Management Officer Colleen Haron, also provided testimony. The Mayor referenced the NSW government’s 2017 ‘Resilient Valley, Resilient Communities’ strategy and said there needed to be “responsive insurance” to aid in recovery from natural disasters. The council requested tools and mechanisms to assist in recovery from natural disasters and argued that affordable insurance should be available for lawfully established developments.

The Mayor’s statement also included a request that council be furnished with the “tools and mechanisms” to assist in recovery from natural disasters and stated that “responsive insurance” is essential in that and said that council has “consistently imposed restrictions in flood prone areas”

The committee questioned the adequacy of the current 1:100 building height standard and the need for better modeling and consideration of Probable Maximum Flood (PMF) scenario planning. The Mayor responded that the new state government is still remodeling and discussing raising the predicted PMF height.

The hearing raised questions about the legality and future of properties developed before floodplain restrictions were enacted and whether such properties should continue to be sold or rented without mandatory disclosure, or if they should be subject to government buybacks when current owners can no longer manage them.

Further testimony from community members, representatives of Turf Australia, the Chamber of Commerce, and other organisations highlighted the major economic, social, and mental health impacts resulting from the current flood assistance and insurance model.

The inquiry remains open for individual submissions until July 31, 2024, with a report expected by September 30, 2024.

Harrowing Testimonies at Flood Insurance Inquiry

In the wake of the devastating 2022 floods, a New South Wales Parliament inquiry has brought to light harrowing testimonies from residents struggling with insurance companies. Among the most striking was the testimony of Cathy Sheridan, a full-time carer for her 31-year-old daughter, who detailed her agonising experience with insurer QBE. Sheridan, diagnosed with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), depression, and anxiety, recounted how the floods severely damaged her home in Glenhaven. “When it rained, underneath my house became like an Olympic swimming pool. Mould went right throughout the whole house. The floorboards were all warped. There is cracking and peeling of things,” she told the inquiry.

The financial burden was immense for Sheridan, whose insurance policy costs approximately one-fifth of her disability payment. QBE, according to Sheridan, has continuously shirked its responsibilities despite her precarious financial situation. “QBE, basically from the word go, said it was my fault... They are using this against me, to say that I’m not maintaining the house,” she stated. This accusation came despite Sheridan’s efforts to mitigate flood damage by installing a pump and attempting other maintenance tasks.

Sheridan said she believes QBE’s tactics are designed to force policyholders to give up. “They’re waiting for us to give up. They’re waiting for us to do it ourselves, or they’re waiting for us to die because they’re doing it to really old people. They’re spending more money trying to avoid their obligations,” she said.

Sheridan’s distress was palpable as she recounted the lack of support and the conflicting information from QBE. “They don’t maintain contact. They haven’t provided me with reports which I’ve asked for. The reports that I have received conflict with what they say,” she said. One report indicated adequate airflow in the house, while another contradicted this claim. This inconsistency has left Sheridan and her daughter living in a contaminated home, exacerbating their health issues with persistent mould causing diarrhoea, headaches, and dizziness.

Sheridan said she believes QBE’s tactics are designed to force policyholders to give up. “They’re waiting for us to give up. They’re waiting for us to do it ourselves, or they’re waiting for us to die because they’re doing it to really old people. They’re spending more money trying to avoid their obligations,” she said. Her account included a disturbing

allegation that QBE employees had gone through her personal belongings placed in storage, resulting in contamination and loss of items.

The inadequate response from QBE extended to accommodation issues as well. Sheridan recounted the uncertainty of temporary housing arrangements, which were extended every two weeks, leaving her in a constant state of anxiety. “Every move that I had to make–I had to make several moves out and return to the property–was three car trips. It was physically and mentally exhausting,” she described.

Sheridan’s said QBE’s handling of her home repairs was marred by delays and negligence. Despite multiple pleas for assistance, significant issues like her roof’s damage went unaddressed for two years. When she finally took matters into her own hands and repaired the roof, QBE promptly sent an assessor, further fueling her belief that they intentionally neglected her claims.

The inquiry heard that even when QBE did take action, it was insufficient. “The hygienist came to my home... They came back in. They didn’t do the repairs. They took a photo and sent it off to the hygienist, then the hygienist gave the approval to say everything was right. The hygienist didn’t physically come back to the house,” Sheridan said. Subsequent reports indicated that mould continued to regrow, highlighting the ongoing risks to her and her daughter’s health.

Sheridan’s story symbolises the broader issues faced by many flood victims who are dealing with insurance companies.

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics is examining insurers’ responses to four major flood events in 2022, which affected Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania. The inquiry aims to hear firsthand about the floods’ impact on communities and the experiences of local residents and businesses going through the claims process with their insurers.

Cathy Sheridan detailing her agonising experience with insurer QBE.

Floods Drown Turf Farmers in $1 Million Repair Bills

Each flood wreaking havoc on Hawkesbury turf farmers costs them approximately $1 million in farm repairs alone, not to mention the additional losses incurred from damaged crops and lost business. Evidence presented during the parliamentary inquiry into flood insurance shed light on the dire financial repercussions faced by businesses, where obtaining flood insurance has become an insurmountable challenge.

The Turf Growers Association was one of numerous businesses and individuals that gave evidence at the Richmond hearing of the Australian Government’s House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics inquiry into insurer’s responses to recent natural disasters.

Executive Officer of the Turf Growers Association of NSW (Turf NSW), Jenny Zadro provided the inquiry with stark statistics that highlighted the gravity of the situation. Local turf producers have endured up to seven floods since 2020, each leaving behind a trail of devastation.

“...on average it costs somewhere between $800 and $1.2 million just to repair their farms, depending on the level of damage in the paddocks. That isn’t including the loss of crops or business during that time. We estimated that in the earlier 2021-22 floods there was a potential loss of turf alone of around $86 million,” Zadro told the inquiry.

The financial strain is further compounded by the exorbitant premiums associated with flood insurance, particularly in flood-prone regions like the Hawkesbury. Zadro highlighted the vast discrepancy in insurance quotes,

with premiums soaring to as high as $100,000 for properties in flood-prone areas compared to a mere $2,000 for those in non-flood zones. Such exorbitant costs render flood insurance unattainable for turf farmers, leaving them vulnerable to the whims of nature and devoid of a crucial safety net, she said.

“Affordable insurance in the Hawkesbury or any flood impacted area for our growers would provide a lot more security and certainty of their business, when you look at the impact of these continual floods that we’ve had, and clearly a lot less reliance on government grants,” Zadro said.

“We’ve done a lot of consultation with growers post floods. Many of them have said their business would not have survived without the grants. They’re experienced, long-term businesses that, looking in from the outside, you would assume would be able to cope. You mention insurance to our growers at the moment and they say, ‘What are you talking about? It’s unachievable.”

The Turf Growers Association represents around 100 turf production businesses statewide, with a significant concentration in the Hawkesbury area. Zadro said about 50 or 60 of those businesses are within the Hawkesbury area and they produce about 30% of Australia’s turf employing about 500 people.

“They’re a unique part of our industry. Nowhere else in our country is like the Hawkesbury.”

The economic, social, health and environmental impacts of natural turf in Sydney was valued at $5.3 billion in a 2018 study.

Domestic Violence Surge in the Hawkesbury

For more than two decades, Hawkesbury resident John rarely laid a hand on his wife, seldom leaving a bruise. Yet, each morning, a solitary bullet appeared on the kitchen table they shared. No words were spoken, just the ominous presence of that bullet. Even though no law was broken by leaving a bullet, the message was stark and undeniable – if his wife didn’t do as she was told, her safety hung by a thread.

Maria Losurdo, manager of the Women’s Cottage in Richmond, emphasised the multifaceted nature of domestic violence. “People can use the Family Courts to intimidate women, leave veiled references in bank statements, or false reports/hoax requests for police welfare checks,” she explained. “Much of the abuse occurs through text messages –subtle but a true indication of ongoing intimidation and risk.”

Recognising coercive control, which is the insidious manipulation to dominate and control another, is crucial. In practice, this includes controlling or restricting finances, questioning what you wear or do, isolating you from friends and family, counting kilometres on cars, humiliating and demeaning you, repeatedly putting you down and dehumanising you.

NSW Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison noted its elusive nature: “It can be hard to spot because it can be deeply contextual.” However, from July 1, perpetrators found guilty of the act in NSW will face up to seven years in prison.

Domestic violence support services in Hawkesbury stress that official statistics pale in comparison to reality. Many victims hesitate to report to the police, fearing their experience of coercive control won’t be understood. Losurdo highlighted the unique challenges faced in Hawkesbury, where isolation and threats to animals are common tactics.

“The Hawkesbury is more akin to a regional area, many isolated communities with one road in and one out. Coercive control is used over animals, and there are more guns here. I’m going to kill your horse if you go,” is an example Losurdo said.

Losurdo said that since the bushfires in 2019, they have seen more requests from women seeking help. “Floods, bushfires, Covid, and the cost-of-living crisis have increased both the occurrence and severity of domestic violence. Given the level of natural disasters in Hawkesbury, it is a community at risk,” Losurdo said, noting, “We are busting at the seams.”

Nationwide, the rate of women killed by intimate partners surged nearly 30% in 2022-23, according to the Australian Institute of Criminology. It shows 49 per cent of female victims of homicide were killed by a former or current intimate partner in the 2022-23 financial year.

“Available statistics can only point to women who have already left the violence or gone to the police. It is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to women living in abusive and unsafe situations. Government funding policy for victims of DFV doesn’t cover these women,” Losurdo said.

It can take many years for women to break free of violence. Rayne (name changed) recognised early discomfort in her relationship when her partner openly criticised her in front of family and friends. She planned to end the relationship when he became physically aggressive but then fell pregnant. His abuse continued during the pregnancy, and he coerced Rayne to leave her own home and job to move in with him, where she became even further isolated. There, he dictated what she could buy, how to cook, how to clean. Now physically and socially isolated and financially controlled, it took more than two years for Rayne to find her way to The Women’s Cottage and another six months before she was able to leave.

Rayne’s experience is far too common. Jane has been in a de facto relationship with David for 14 years. She said it wasn’t physically violent apart from one occasion. But there were years of being demeaned, belittled, and humiliated, and she regularly had access to funds cut off. She was a “dimwit”, “a cunt”,” a lazy fucking grifter”, “a fucking sloth”, a “parasite”. “In the end, you just give up. You don’t fight or react anymore; it’s not worth it. You do everything to avoid it. You stop going out, stop going to the coffee shop, stop seeing your friends and family,” she said.

“You don’t complain about the deliberately left unflushed toilet, the filth and mud traipsed through the house just after you’ve mopped the floor, the household rubbish stuffed in your clothes drawer, the constant loud music while you try to work or sleep. You don’t

say anything about it anymore because doing so would create a reaction that is so violent that it is just not worth it. You just put up with it. You look for places to sleep during the day that are quiet to make up for the lack of sleep; you look for places to work where you won’t be disturbed, but he always finds you and a way to disrupt you,” she said.

Last December proved particularly dire, with 41 recorded assaults in Hawkesbury – nearly double the preceding month’s figure, according to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research. Police data over the past five years reveals a concerning trend: a seven per cent rise in domestic violence offences in Hawkesbury, which means police recorded 309 people who were assaulted in domestic situations in Hawkesbury from January 2023 to December 2023. That is, 23 more people were subject to domestic violence-related assault last year than in 2022, when 286 people in Hawkesbury were assaulted in domestic situations.

Nationwide, the rate of women killed by intimate partners surged nearly 30% in 2022-23, according to the Australian Institute of Criminology. It shows 49 per cent of female victims of homicide were killed by a former or current intimate partner in the 2022-23 financial year.

AIC research manager Samantha Bricknell said intimate partner homicide (IPH) was “the most common form of homicide” experienced by Australian women, but since 1990 there had been a 66 per cent decrease in IPH where the victim is a woman.

She said it was unclear what caused the upward trend in the 12 months to June 2023.

“The increase that we’ve seen in 2223 is a sizeable increase, but what we are seeing in terms of the numbers of victims in 22-23 – and certainly the rate of intimate partner homicide perpetrated against a female – is similar to what

we were seeing pre-COVID,” Dr Bricknell said.

While intimate partner homicide remains a prevalent issue, funding inadequacies hinder support services like the Women’s Cottage, preventing comprehensive assistance from identification to recovery. Support services need resources to support women living with DFV and to help women struggling to leave violent situations, not just those who have left, Losurdo says. The Women’s Cottage supports women from identification with domestic violence to women leaving an abusive relationship and those who have finally left. However, despite being the main specialist DFV service in Hawkesbury for over 40 years, The Women’s Cottage is not eligible for government formal DFV funding – as it is not considered an official front-line service. This is true for regional services across NSW that do not fit into the narrow definition of DFV service providers.

Advocacy efforts by figures like Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman have provided some relief, enabling additional front-line support. Yet, challenges persist.

The new announcements for increased Government funding will not reach The Women’s Cottage unless funding criteria recognises the critical role The Women’s Cottage, and many other regional services, play in supporting the whole continuum of experience of women and children facing domestic violence.

Regardless, demand continues to increase, rates of violence continue to grow, and the number of women murdered by intimate partners continues to rise. When asked what is most needed, Losurdo said all levels of Government must take responsibility, “We need increased State and Federal Government funding that recognises the work we are already doing, and we need Hawkesbury City Council to support to increase the size of the building we work in,” Losurdo says.

If this story has raised issues for you or someone you care about, please reach out for support:

The Women’s Cottage: 02 4578 4190 www.womenscottage.org.au

1800 Respect: 1800 737 732

www.1800respect.org.au

Full Stop Australia: 1800 211 028

www.fullstop.org.au

Lifeline: 13 11 14

www.lifeline.org.au

Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636

www.beyondblue.org.au

Phone and Internet Upgrades Finally Bring Relief

Residents of the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury regions, long plagued by unreliable phone and internet coverage, are set to benefit from significant upgrades to communication infrastructure. Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman said these advancements aim to enhance connectivity and bolster resilience in the face of future disasters.

In 2021, 69 residents submitted complaints to Hawkesbury Council regarding poor mobile coverage and internet service across the region. These issues were widespread, affecting areas such as Glossodia, Grose Vale, Colo Heights, Kurrajong, McDonald Valley, Windsor, Kurmond, Lower Macdonald, Freemans Reach, Bowen Mountain, and from St Albans to Spencer.

One resident recounted, “During the 2019/20 fires, there were multiple times when emergency messages were sent via SMS, and the vast majority of residents did not receive them as the mobile towers also had limited battery backup. From an RFS point of view, this made communication extremely difficult.”

Another resident from Windsor shared, “The impact on my family’s safety became very apparent during the recent floods within the Hawkesbury as I was unable to contact my family members who were in different suburbs. It was extremely difficult and very stressful.”

“We have reception problems throughout the valley, from Wisemans to St Albans and Spencer. I had friends in a car accident who had to walk a couple of kilometres to find a house with reception,” another resident wrote.

Templeman said that the rollout of new mobile towers is progressing in Blaxlands Ridge, Maraylya, Yellow

Rock, Hawkesbury Heights, and Mount Tomah, alongside a series of improvements in the Macdonald Valley. These efforts are expected to significantly improve mobile connectivity across these areas, she said. Additionally, the National Broadband Network (NBN) is undergoing critical enhancements. The Ebenezer Fixed Wireless tower now has an expanded backup generator, ensuring better insulation for future use. Similarly, a new

generator at the Sackville site aims to keep residents connected from Cattai to Lower Portland.

“These are important upgrades that respond to the recommendations in the Royal Commission following the 2019-20 bushfires. We are also rolling out full fibre NBN to most of the Blue Mountains and many more areas in the Hawkesbury, improving connectivity reliability and resilience,” Templeman stated.

In addition to improved communications infrastructure, Templeman said the government was investing heavily in its firefighting capabilities to enhance resilience and response in the face of future disasters.

Templeman highlighted that Australia has assembled its largest fleet of water-bombing aircraft to date. This includes six large aerial tankers, both leased and government-owned, along with numerous smaller planes and helicopters. Approximately 500 aircraft are available for deployment across the country as needed, she said.

At the Richmond RAAF base, which hosts significant Rural Fire Service (RFS) aerial capabilities, the federally funded National Large Air Tanker was deployed last December. Additionally, the NSW Government’s recent purchase of a $9 million Chinook Helicopter further enhances the region’s aerial firefighting resources.

Templeman also noted that federal government funding for the National Aerial Firefighting Council has been increased to $31 million annually, supporting the expanded fleet.

“It’s no secret that I lost my home, along with 200 other families, in the 2013 Winmalee bushfire. I can’t help but imagine how different that October day would have been if the aerial resources we have now had been available then,” Templeman reflected.

“There is more to do, but our federal government is committed to bolstering disaster response and enhancing our communities’ ability to prepare for, reduce the risk of, and fight bushfires. Our investments are the silver lining of cloudy days that will protect lives and property when the sun shines way too hard and bright,” she concluded.

Templeman said that the rollout of new mobile towers is progressing in Blaxlands Ridge, Maraylya, Yellow Rock, Hawkesbury Heights, and Mount Tomah, alongside a series of improvements in the Macdonald Valley.

Nurses and Midwives Win Battle for Entitlements

Nurses and midwives at Hawkesbury Hospital can breathe a sigh of relief as they will retain all their leave entitlements following the transfer of their employment to Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District (NBMLHD) on July 1.

Following extensive negotiations between the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) and the NSW government, an agreement has been reached allowing staff the option to transfer their accrued annual and long service leave entitlements to their new employer, NSW Health.

Hawkesbury District Health Service, currently operated by St John of God Health Care, will revert to public management after eight years.

Ann Jackson, NSWNMA Hawkesbury District Health Service Branch Delegate, expressed gratitude for the community’s support during negotiations.

“So many healthcare workers and their families came together to support our own-time rally last week, and it really demonstrated what a fantastic community we have in the Hawkesbury,” Jackson said.

“Time off with our families is priceless. We are so pleased the government has now recognised this and has found a solution that allows us to keep our wellearned leave entitlements.

NSWNMA Hawkesbury District Health Service Branch Secretary Ben Wright, said the news was a great relief as many of his colleagues incredibly distressed by the thought of losing control of their leave entitlements.

“It’s a complete turnaround. In early March, we were facing a forced leave payout, a loss of accrued sick leave entitlements and a drop in take-home pay due to changes in salary packaging

arrangements. We’ve now been assured that all our sick leave will be transferred, our current salary packaging arrangements will continue for another two years, and members will have the choice to transfer their long service and annual leave entitlements,” Wright said.

“We are grateful for the support of the Hawkesbury community. It’s good to know that the Hawkesbury cares for us, as much as we care for the Hawkesbury. This community’s overwhelming support lifted our spirits when we despaired over the possibility of having our leave taken out of our hands,” he said.

Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, applauded the outcome, stressing the importance of preserving staff entitlements as the hospital transitions to the public sector.

Templeman also raised concerns about a legislative loophole in the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), which does not address staff transfers from private to public sectors. Currently, the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) is silent on staff transfers from a private employer to the public sector yet expressly provides for transfers from public to private.

“I have written to my colleague the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, the Hon Tony Burke MP, to request that the Fair Work Act be amended to correct this anomaly and protect workers entitlements where they are transferring from the national system employer to a State public sector employer,” she said.

I will continue to work to ensure that this loophole in the legislation is closed and the act operates fairly for all Australian workers.

Council News

McMahon and Dogramaci Lead Council Absences

Liberal Mayor Sarah McMahon and Small Business Councillor Eddie Dogramaci have had the most absences from council meetings in the current term, missing 10.7% and 8.1 % of votes over more than 22 months, respectively, with more than half of Cr McMahon’s absences (5.8%) being due to her recusal from votes due to conflicts of interest.

Dogramaci’s high absence rate was due to him regularly travelling overseas for his business, he said.

The next two councillors with the highest absenteeism were Liberal Patrick Conolly, who was mayor from the start of the term until Sept 2022 and Labor deputy mayor Barry Calvert, with 7.7% and 5.1%, respectively.

Liberal Jill Reardon has a perfect record–although she rarely speaks at council meetings–followed by Independents Les Sheather (0.6%), Nathan Zampgrogno (0.8%), and Green Danielle Wheeler (1.4%).

“Councillors are human beings too, and life has unexpected turns, and we understand that. Councillors aren’t able to be present at every vote at every meeting. A ‘healthy’ amount of absences is understandable and allows councillors to attend to events in their personal lives,” Hawkesbury Council Watch Facebook page said of its analysis of publicly available information on Council meetings.

The site noted there were two reasons to be absent. Absent without reason: when a vote occurs, and a councillor is not present in the chamber at the time of the vote due to being absent for the entire meeting, having arrived late or left early, or not being in the room at the time the vote was held.

The second was absent due to a conflict of interest: councillors are required by the Code of Conduct to ‘recuse’ themselves when they deem themselves to have a conflict of interest significant enough to impact them from acting impartially.

Cr McMahon’s high level of recusals was due to her domestic partner Matthew Bennett’s various property interests. At present, he is managing two such developments in Kurrajong, one on behalf of his elderly mother, Pamela Bennett.

Cr’s Conolly, Wheeler, and Lyons-Buckett have also recused themselves from the Kurrajong developments due to various connections in the rural enclave.

The facts and data are taken from Hawkesbury City Council meeting minutes for every meeting held this

term, from January 11, 2022, until April 2024. The current council term has been cut short by one year due to the COVID pandemic, which saw the previous term of four years extended by one year due to a state government decision that it

was unsafe to hold elections in 2020.

There have been 38 meetings lasting 116 hours and 495 with substantive motions taking place.

“We’ve filtered out procedural and other motions of little consequence.

Our Animals are Running Out of Places to Live

Development in the Hawkesbury region is significantly impacting the environment, leading to increased roadkill of koalas, diminished biodiversity, proliferation of feral cats, altered hydrology of creeks and rivers, and reduced arable land, warns Danielle Wheeler, the sole Greens member of the Hawkesbury City Council.

“Developments have a huge effect environmentally as they slowly chipped away at the remaining pockets of biodiversity,” noted Cr Wheeler. “The closer human habitat comes to biodiversity, the more under threat that biodiversity is.”

The environmental changes caused by large-scale developments are not just theoretical; they are happening in the Hawkesbury. These developments contribute to biodiversity loss and alter the hydrology of water bodies, which in turn affects the surrounding areas. Wheeler

highlighted the changes observed in Redbank Creek, where increased flow rates have resulted in erosion of residents’ backyards due to modifications in the creek’s hydrology.

Wheeler singled out the controversial Rural Boundary Clearing Code (RBCC) as particularly damaging to habitat. Once developers secure development approval, they can clear land without restriction. Hawkesbury City Council is the sole peri-urban council to adopt this code, which was originally designed for large properties west of the dividing range.

Hawkesbury Council was warned that the code would facilitate clearing land for development purposes under the guise of bushfire protection. However, the developer-friendly Liberal/Labor councillors rushed the Rural Boundary Clearing Code (The Code) through council in February 2022.

“This wasn’t a fait accompli, but the majority in council dug their heels in; we’ve tried repeatedly to get it removed,” Wheeler expressed.

The now Mayor McMahon voted in favour of the code. Her boyfriend, who leads a property “Project and Development Team”, according to his property company’s updated website, has used the new rules to clear land his company is developing and selling in Kurrajong and Bowen Mountain.

The impact of the RBCC in Kurrajong has been well-documented. It has resulted in the loss of habitat for koalas, spotted quolls, and other native species.

Despite regulations requiring development projects to assess their environmental impacts, Wheeler said that no one considers the cumulative effects of multiple developments in one area, exacerbating ecological challenges.

For example, motions about accepting minutes, adjourning the meeting, or allowing councillors to attend via alternate means are ignored in these figures. Many of these motions are passed unanimously,” HCW said.

Council News

Community Outrage at Mayor’s Pettiness

The Hawkesbury City Council (HCC) convened for its regular monthly session last month, but what transpired was anything but routine. Tensions flared as tempers ran high with the meeting dissolving into acrimony and chaos, with Councillor Nathan Zamprogno’s expulsion from the Chamber by an angry Mayor Sarah McMahon.

The catalyst for this dramatic turn of events, was a surprise mayoral minute put forward by Cr McMahon at the eleventh hour. It sought to compel councillors to disclose any involvement they, or their extended family, may have with social media platforms or publications discussing the affairs of the Council, its members, or its staff.

The controversial move was aimed squarely at the Facebook page “Hawkesbury City Councillor Watch (HCCW).” The website uses publicly available data about Council meetings and presents it in a simple format. The page is administered by the domestic partner of Cr Zamprogno.

The Community was largely outraged by the Mayor’s behaviour resulting in their comments being deleted from the Mayor’s Facebook page. “It was awful. Quite unprofessional and unnecessary. I’ve never seen anything so petulant,” Resident Kirsten Radunz said.

A report published in April by HCCW appears to have prompted Cr McMahon’s motion, as well as her aggressive prosecution of it at last night’s meeting. It showed that Cr McMahon had the most absences from council meetings in the current term, having missed 10.7% of votes over more than 22 months. Importantly, more than half Cr McMahon’s absences (5.8%) were due to her recusal from votes for conflicts of interest.

Cr McMahon’s high level of recusals were due to her domestic partner Matthew Bennett’s various property interests.

After the motion was presented, a heated and protracted debate that consumed over an hour of council time followed. It was punctuated by a 15 minute recess prompted by Cr McMahon’s decision to seek “legal advice.” However, the tension didn’t dissipate during the break. Before the hiatus, Cr Zamprogno admitted remarking to Cr McMahon that: “You can try to rake me over the coals here Sarah, but the investigations underway about you have much sharper teeth!”.

While Cr Zamprogno vehemently denied any suggestion of physical harm, Cr McMahon took to social media to claim she had found the threat “so severe, that it was the most appalling statement I have heard within the Chamber in my entire elected career”. This behaviour will not be tolerated,” she declared on her official FB page.

The Hawkesbury Post (HP) believes Cr Zamprogno may have been referring to the Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC), but this could not be confirmed by Cr Zamprogno. ICAC has a policy of not commenting on or confirming its investigations. There is no suggestion there is any investigation underway into HCC or the Mayor.

“I replied at the time that I took that as a threat, which to me insinuated a threat of physical violence,” Cr McMahon told the HP. “The words he has used

on his Facebook page, referencing that he was referring to an ‘investigation’ are not accurate as far as my understanding and it is disappointing that he may be trying to recreate history to make his words sound less threatening,” she said.

Today on social media, Cr McMahon published numerous posts about the matter She accused Cr Zamprogno of making veiled threats and indicated that she was considering legal action. In a Facebook post titled “Abuse continues…,” she even hinted at the possibility of reconsidering her candidacy in the upcoming elections, citing the toxic atmosphere surrounding local politics. She deleted comments and later limited comments on her posts following numerous critical remarks.

The controversy didn’t end with Cr McMahon’s expulsion of Cr Zamprogno. While the motion passed with the support of the council’s ruling majority, dissenting voices within the council chamber expressed serious reservations about both the motion itself, and Cr McMahon’s conduct.

“I don’t consider the Mayoral Minute as it was presented, an example of responsible civic leadership,” Independent Councillor Mary Lyons-Bucklett told the HP. “It did not satisfy the definition of urgent within the Code of Meeting Practice, and in my opinion it was provocative and unnecessary.”

Greens Councillor Danielle Wheeler said: “In my opinion, last night’s mayoral minute was out of order. It wasn’t urgent. It took up valuable time in a meeting where we ended up having to defer important matters because we went over-time. Councillors are not our partners’ or families’ keepers and nor should we be expected to be. The Mayoral Minute is overreach.”

Councillor Nathan Zamprogno and Mayor Sarah McMahon

SUSAN

Federal Member for Macquarie

Opinion

Last month the Albanese Government handed down the 2024 Budget, which brings together the spending commitments for the coming year.

While there is record spending in areas medicines, Medicare, housing, defence and veterans, and cost of living support, we’ve also delivered a surplus –the first back-to-back surplus in nearly two decades.

There’s something for everyone in the Hawkesbury.

From July 1, every taxpayer in the Hawkesbury will receive a tax cut and every household and small business will receive a cut to their electricity bill.

A primary school teacher in Richmond on $80,000 will get a tax cut of $1,679. An electrician from Wilberforce on $110,000 will get a tax cut of $2,429.

These Labor tax cuts mean people will keep more of what they earn from their first pay packet in July.

And the new energy rebate for every household will be $300, and $325 for every eligible Hawkesbury small business.

Employers and apprentices receive support in the Budget. For construction industry apprentices, the $5,000 support

payments to apprentices in priority occupations will stay for another 12 months, up from $3,000. Employers of these apprentices will receive a $5,000 hiring incentive, up from $4,000. Plus, we will provide access to $10,000 incentive payments to support our target of 10,000 new energy apprentices.

The Government will also invest $88 million to deliver 20,000 new fee?free TAFE places, including pre?apprenticeships in courses relevant to the construction sector. For vocational and uni students, there’s a cut to student debt, to make up for some of the big increases students saw last year and this year

because of high inflation. And Hawkesbury teaching, social work and nursing students will soon have their mandatory paid prac work supported by a payment of around $315 a week.

This is just a few of the ways we’re easing the cost of living, tackling inflation and growing our economy.

Susan Templeman

Missed Opportunity with New Windsor Ambulance Station

South Windsor will get a new purpose-built ambulance station at Acacia Close as part of a $455 million program for 30 new stations around the state.

However, while the site was identified following a comprehensive service planning process using best practice modelling software, which maps Triple Zero calls, the new site’s location will still leave thousands of people in Hawkesbury west of the river without a service during flood events.

Councillor Nathan Zamprogno welcomed the investment but found the location of South Windsor “baffling”.

“These decisions are only made once a generation. The significant growth in population we’ve seen west of the river made a compelling case for a new station to be located at North Richmond,” Cr Zampgrogno said.

“When a former Councillor was involved in a car accident at Kurrajong some years ago, the ambulance took over half an hour to reach the site on a quiet morning. Many residents from Kurrajong to Berambing won’t be comforted by the knowledge that emergency services may be delayed in the traffic crossing the Hawkesbury River.”

He added that councillors were promised figures at briefings over the years with response times to various Hawkesbury suburbs for 000 calls, but he does not recall the figures being provided.

“This isn’t a Council decision,” he adds, “but we’ve been advocating for what seems an obvious need for many years,

and the decision to locate the facility at South Windsor is a lost opportunity.”

The State Member for Hawkesbury, Robyn Preston, also welcomed the announcement but told the Hawkesbury Post: “I will continue to push for a third station at North Richmond or other suitable location west of the river.” She added that another solution could be some kind of “ambulance kiosk” for the area, saying there were a number of possible sites.

Preston said that ambulance drivers often take a vehicle across the river to attend to emergencies ahead of floods, but this needs to be properly funded and formalised.

The new ambulance stations continue a 2022 policy from the previous government, which appears to have taken a $135 million funding cut.

“The new South Windsor Ambulance Station will support local paramedics to provide the best emergency medical care now and into the future,” NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said.

“Health Infrastructure and NSW Ambulance carried out a thorough evaluation of the site to ensure the location best meets the needs of the local community and our ambulance operations and paramedics.

“This newly planned South Windsor Ambulance Station will be a significant investment for our paramedics and the community that will bolster emergency care for the communities of the Hawkesbury and provide a modern workplace for local paramedics,” he said.

Bridge Rails Confuse TFNSW Again!

In a proactive response to potential flooding, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) took early precautions last month to prevent damage to the North Richmond Bridge, avoiding a repeat of the costly destruction experienced during the April floods. Although the floodwaters on May 12 did not exceeded the minor flood level of 3.80 metres, TfNSW preemptively lowered the pedestrian guard rails and stationed crews on standby during the night to close the bridge if necessary.

Earlier in the day, the North Richmond Bridge was briefly closed to alternate lanes each way while the guard rails were lowered. In the April flood, TfNSW faced significant criticism when the guard rails were not lowered in time, resulting in their destruction and a replacement cost of approximately $100,000. Debris, including large trees and logs, remains under the bridge from that event. Following this incident, TfNSW conducted a review and decided to implement earlier precautionary measures during flood events to prevent similar damage.

“Alternating stop/slow traffic conditions were in place briefly while crews prepared the bridge for a possible closure,” a TfNSW spokesperson stated. “Crews will remain on-site throughout the night and early morning to monitor the situation and ensure the safety of the bridge and its users.”

Since 2020, the Richmond Bridge has been closed six times due to flood levels ranging between 7.8 metres and 8.4 metres.

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Premier Urges Mayor McMahon to Prioritise Flood Relief Over Politics

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has called for a focus on community needs over political agendas in the ongoing flood planning and relief efforts. His remarks come in response to claims made by Hawkesbury Mayor Sarah McMahon, which he deemed “disingenuous.”

“I just want to make it clear; I’ll meet with anyone, particularly in relation to natural disasters, “ Minns told reporters Tuesday. “I think it’s really important that we put politics to one side and really focus on what the community needs. That’s my experience in Forbes, and in Orange, and Moree with the crime issues up there, up in Lismore. I don’t care what political affiliation someone has; we just want to focus on getting good outcomes.

“It’s been a very busy month, however, and I don’t want the community to be left with the impression by the Mayor of Hawkesbury that there’s been no meetings or that she’s been waiting by the phone desperate for information,” he said.

Cr McMahon took her Facebook page on Monday and to Seven Network News to complain about the Premier.

“Chris Minns *tagged*…for over 12 months I have invited you to speak with me…leader to leader – about flood mitigation – a potential life and death issue…and you STILL won’t do it, Cr McMahon wrote.

“Even today, the Premier spoke ABOUT me at his Press Conference, but refuses to speak TO me about the issue.??????”, Cr McMahon wrote on FB.

The Premier, who visited the Hawkesbury after the 2022 floods and met with community members to discuss flooding at that time, said it was important to set aside political affiliations for the greater good, particularly in times of natural disasters.

“My understanding is that she’s had a meeting with the Minister for Water(Rose Jackson), the Minister for Planning (Paul Scully) in recent months precisely about these issues. Last year, she met with the Minister for Emergency Services. I know that the Disaster Recovery Agency, Reconstruction Authority is working with the local council about disaster adaptation plans, Hawkesbury

Council with the New South Wales government,” Minns said.

“Indeed, after meeting with Scully, Cr McMahon posted a picture of them on her Facebook page saying: “Thanks to Paul Scully MP, Minister for Planning, for joining Western Sydney Mayors this evening… and yes, I definitely raised our concerns regarding floods, floods and more floods… and evacuation routes, planning certainty and connection to the new airport.”

Minns said: “I think it’s a bit disingenuous to suggest that the council’s waiting by the phone for cooperation from the New South Wales government,” he said.

Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, said the state government had been responsive to flood threats, emphasising the importance of immediate and long-term planning to enhance resilience and reduce risks.

“I think there are two key issues for the NSW government when it comes to the Hawkesbury, and I am confident that from the Premier down, there is not just awareness, but action being taken,” Templeman said.

“One relates to how governments respond to an immediate flood threat and the aftermath. The responsiveness of the Minns Government over the past weekend to problems that were evident in many previous recent floods, has been positive. For instance, this weekend, the rails on North Richmond Bridge were taken down well ahead of flood waters flowing over the bridge, and the information on dam heights and water flows was more timely and accessible. These are improvements that respond to feedback from me on behalf of the community to state government ministers, and no doubt other community members provided similar feedback.

“The other key issue relates to the long-term planning to improve our resilience and reduce the risk,” she said.

Minns said that the NSW government had allocated hundreds of millions of dollars for disaster recovery plans, particularly evacuation routes for Sydney’s Northwest. These include $100 million for the Pitt Town bypass and $540 million for Richmond Road.

No

Operation Care Pack reinstated for 2024

Richmond Marketplace, owned by ISPT, is now working in collaboration with the Jeremiah Project and Hawkesbury Community Kitchen to create Operation Care Pack, which will be in place from Monday June 3rd until Friday June 21st of 2024.

As stated on their website, the Jeremiah project is “a homeless ministry helping those in need across Sydney’’. The Hawkesbury Community Kitchen is a local organisation assisting our community members at risk of facing or facing homelessness. These vulnerable community members that utilise the services from the Hawkesbury Community Kitchen can find the care packages being distributed there.

First launched in 2022, Operation Care Pack has provided members of our community facing financial hardship or homelessness with individual care packages.

In order to create these packs Richmond Marketplace is coming to the community to please donate items to support this operation.

“Donating a comb or toothbrush may seem insignificant to some, but any donation, whether large or small, will be greatly appreciated and will make a big difference to people who may be experiencing homelessness or doing it tough financially” said Richmond Marketplace Senior Marketing Manager, Tracey Thomas. Thomas is also optimistic of the community’s participation and support towards this cause, “Our community has supported our initiatives in the past and we are sure they will once again show their kindness and generosity by supporting Operation Care Pack to help our vulnerable community members”. To find the full list of donatable items and further information, visit Richmond Marketplace’s website.

Sponsored Content

Help Arrives for Our Farmers

In a show of solidarity and support, communities from across Victoria rallied together to assist farmers impacted by the April flood in the Hawkesbury region. Last month, Aussie Hay Runners (AHR) made their inaugural delivery to Richmond, bringing much-needed relief in the form of 512 bales of premium hay. The initiative, supported by the NSW Rural Assistance Authority, Scott Stevens, and the Heyfield Lions Club, saw 16 trucks undertake the journey. The hay, donated by generous contributors throughout Victoria, was valued at $48,640 and was distributed to farmers in need.

Linda Widdup, founder of AHR, and her team of volunteers coordinated the logistics for the operation. “It’s not a handout – it’s a hand up,” Widdup said, highlighting the community spirit behind the effort.

The convoy split into two groups for the journey. The first group of eight trucks departed from Marulan, followed by the second group a week later. Both convoys traveled along the Hume Highway, M7, M4, and A9, before the final destination in Richmond. Once the hay was unloaded, the trucks returned to Victoria.

This operation marked AHR’s 11th run for 2024 and their 30th since the organisation’s inception in 2019. Founded by Widdup in response to the devastating droughts, AHR has grown into a vital support network for farmers across Australia. Farmers in need of assistance were encouraged to apply by contacting onground coordinators Linda and Emanuel Degabriele. The community was also encouraged to follow the convoy’s journey and donate to support further efforts. Details were available on the Aussie Hay Runners Facebook page.

Residents are encouraged to show their support with a wave and a toot as the trucks passed by.

“There are many farmers in desperate need across various regions. Every donation helps, with 100% going towards purchasing hay,” Widdup said.

Westpac Helicopter Touches Down at Hobartville School

Hobartville Public School students got the surprise of a lifetime last month when the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter landed on their turf. The kids picked up valuable coastal safety tips from the heroic crew who patrol our skies.

With bases in La Perouse, Sydney, and Moruya on the South Coast, the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service plays a vital role in search and rescue missions, aerial surveillance, flood support, and coastal patrols. As they celebrate 50 years of service, the rescue helicopters have undertaken over 100,000 missions.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for students to hear from the crew who dedicate their lives to rescuing others. With many students spending time near water, it’s crucial they understand safety precautions,” Westpac Regional General Manager Cameron Russell said.

Students could get an up-close look at the advanced lifesaving equipment used by the crew. “It’s an engaging way for kids to learn about the importance of emergency services,” Russell said.

General Manager Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service Shane Daw said it’s very rewarding to work in a role to help keep the community safe.

“It’s great to be able to help teach secondary school children about how to stay safe when venturing outdoors, what to do during an emergency and the important role of the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter and emergency services within the community,” Daw said.

“The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters work with other emergency services to ensure that when anyone is in trouble, we are there to help them in their time of need. While we hope you will never need us, if you do, we will be there to help,” Daw said.

Westpac has partnered with the rescue service for 50 years, marking one of Australia’s longest-running community partnerships.

ROBYN PRESTON MP

New Ambulance Station

For Hawkesbury

Opinion

A new ambulance station in Hawkesbury has been announced by the NSW Government. It will be located on Acacia Close, South Windsor. This announcement progresses the previous Liberal/National Government’s commitment for a second ambulance station in Hawkesbury.

NSW Health advised that the site was chosen based on a comprehensive service planning process and where triple zero call data was most frequent.

Whilst the announcement is very much appreciated it doesn’t address the growing need for an ambulance station to be located on the North Richmond side of the Hawkesbury River. There is a growing population which should automatically trigger the need for this service. The community is most vulnerable when the Richmond Bridge is closed due to flooding and the nearest ambulance station is at Lithgow.

I am aware of the active campaign by community advocates to have a station anchored on the western side of the Richmond Bridge which would provide certainty in times of devastation when access across the bridge is denied.

I will continue to campaign on behalf of

these communities to ask the State Government to locate a third ambulance station on the North Richmond side. I moved a Notice of Motion to this effect in Parliament on the 15 May 2024. I hope this will be debated later in the year.

A WIN FOR HAWKESBURY HOSPITAL WORKERS AND VISITORS

At the end of June, Hawkesbury Hospital will no longer be operated by St John of Health Care and NSW Health will take over operation of the facility on 1 July 2024. I thank St John of Health Care for their service to the people of Hawkesbury, particularly through the challenging periods of bushfires, floods and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the announcement at the start of the year advising of the transfer, I have been working with hospital staff and union members to make sure hospital workers receive a fair go when they transition to NSW Health. Initially, the Minns Labor Government advised that staff would not be able to transfer their leave entitlements. This created uncertainty and great stress amongst employees concerned about the availability of sick and personal leave, tax implications and recognised service. A united advocacy campaign led to a reversal of Government policy, allowing staff to have the option of transferring their leave balance across to their new employer, NSW Health.

People power prevailed due to a collective effort and I was glad to be able to contribute to such a worthy cause. Hats off to all staff who lobbied hard for this outcome.

On the back of that win, I am pleased to let you know that I have received confirmation in writing, from Dr Michael Holland MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Health, that there will be NO PAID PARKING at Hawkesbury Hospital.

I’m

here to help you!

advocate on your behalf to find solutions offer advice and guidance about Government regulations, services and grants

assist with matters relating to transport, roads, education, health, water, welfare, mental health, veterans, emergency services, housing and Local Government arrange congratulatory messages for significant birthdays and anniversaries

aid in Seniors Card applications and updating your enrolment provide Justice of the Peace services

My office is located at Western Sydney University Hawkesbury Campus Building R4, College Drive, Richmond PO Box 505 Richmond NSW 2753

P: 02 4578 0300 E: hawkesbury@parliament nsw gov au

Authorised by Robyn Preston MP. Funded using Parliamentary entitlements.

ROBYN PRESTON MP Member for Hawkesbury

Robyn Preston

Postcards in Space

Thanks to the efforts of the South Windsor-based One Giant Step Foundation (OGSF), more than 50 postcards from Australian schoolchildren were on board a new German rocket launched from South Australia on May 2 as part of a payload on its inaugural launch from Southern Launch’s Koonibba Test Range.

OGSF invited students to design postcards sent to space as part of an industry-wide effort to introduce young people to the space industry as a viable industry and career path for their futures.

The children who wrote the cards will receive them back in the mail – after they have been to space and successfully landed back on Earth.

The initiative is just one of many run by the space-education-focused OGSF in recent years, under the leadership of former schoolteacher Jackie Carpenter, who says her ultimate goal is to build a permanent “Space Camp” in the Hawkesbury.

The launch was initially planned to take place in Sweden, and Carpenter had organised the postcard writing in 2021. However, delays and a change of plans saw the rocket take off from the Koonibba Test Range instead.

Carpenter says she was thrilled when told only six weeks ago that the launch would now be in Australia: “ When I found out you could have pushed me off a chair, I sent the postcards all the way to Germany, and now they have come back to South Australia.”

Carpenter was inspired to create OGSF after she won a spot in a camp at the Houston Space Center in the United States in 2007 when she was teaching in Sydney and feeling burnt out.

“It completely changed my life,” she told the Post. “I went in there thinking I was a loser, and I got the award of

the leader of leaders. And when I left, I thought, this is what we need for our kids. That’s what we need as a country. So when I left there, I was determined to create a camp here. And I’ve been trying to do that since I moved here.”

Following this, she raised money to take Australian students to the US for a similar experience. Eventually, she quit teaching and set up the Foundation with the help of her husband, Robert, who died last year.

The Foundation has been running space camps around the country and offering a virtual camp where students can meet former astronauts and other space experts Carpenter has befriended over the past 15 years.

“We just pack a trailer, and we go, and we do it, and we do virtual reality rocketry, drones, rovers, all that stuff. We run our four-day program, and we’re

there the whole time. So we go into the community, gather the whole community together, and get the kids together. And then the kids start to learn,” Carpenter said.

“Here in South Windsor, I have a space shuttle signed by 20 NASA astronauts in my spare room and a whole space room of all different stuff. What I really want to do is build a permanent facility in Hawkesbury; we have wanted that since we moved here in 2014.”

Carpenter is continuing to search for money to fund her dream.

The Koonibba Test Range covers over 41,000 square kilometres of uninhabited area. It is a partnership between the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation and Southern Launch and provides customers with the opportunity to launch and recover rocket and satellite technologies.

Richmond Students Honour Sorry Day

Students at Richmond Public School took center stage in commemorating Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week with a vibrant and heartfelt display of art. Each student crafted a hand adorned with individual messages, kind words, and unique designs, contributing to a collective “sea of hands” on the school lawn.

The students’ artwork showcased their creativity and their understanding of the importance of these events for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Assistant Principal Deb Robinson highlighted the students’ involvement, saying, “It was great to see the enthusiasm amongst the students showing their support.”

Accompanying their artistic contributions, the students participated in a lesson about the significance of Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week. This educational activity helped deepen their appreciation for the historical and cultural impact of these events, further enriching the meaning behind their artwork, Robinson said.

Homeless Woman Pay to Park in Driveways

Local charity, Hawkesbury Helping Hands (HHH), has reported a disturbing increase in the number of people seeking safe places to sleep overnight. Co-founder Linda Strickland highlighted the dire situation facing many in the community.

Strickland said that a significant number of individuals, predominantly women, are approaching residents to park in their driveways overnight, offering to pay up to $25 per night. These individuals rely on the charity for meals and showers.

“People, predominantly women, are asking if they can park in driveways overnight, willing to pay just to feel safe and sleep at night. They arrive at dusk and leave by morning, then come to us for food and showers,” Strickland wrote on HHH’s Facebook page.

There have also been instances of people asking to pitch tents in backyards, offering payment for minimal amenities such as access to a toilet. These individuals depend on the charity for basic needs like food and hygiene facilities, she said.

Strickland also said they had heard reports about the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, noting that some people are capitalising on others’ misfortune.

The community response to Strickland’s post was significant, with many sharing their own stories and others offering to help.

“A friend of mine is couch surfing at the moment with family. She is a single mother who recently left a domestic violence situation and can’t get a rental anywhere. Every open house has over 50 applications,” one comment said.

Another commenter shared: “My family of seven has to vacate our house because it’s been sold. Rental prices are ridiculous, and real estate agents are not being kind.

We have until Wednesday to vacate and have nowhere to go.”

“I finally get it. I’m a 56-year-old woman. No one wants to hire me. I’m too old for everything. Centrelink won’t give me anything as my husband can support me. What a joke. 36 years of working and I’m worth nothing. It’s so degrading,” another comment read.

Some community members offered assistance: “If there are any ladies that need a safe place to park for the night at no cost, our home has cameras and dogs for security. You’re welcome to park here for a good night’s rest.”

“If I can help in any way, I have land, and women are welcome to stay at no cost. No one should feel scared,” another Facebook commentator wrote.

In response to the growing issue of homelessness and domestic violence, a new pilot program in Newcastle offers a car park for women and children to sleep in overnight. The initiative, running from April to June, aims to provide a temporary safe haven for those in desperate need.

Nova, a housing assistance service supporting women and children fleeing domestic violence, has been actively referring individuals to this program.

NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Rose Jackson, expressed deep concern over the situation. “It is unacceptable that this is what we have come to. I don’t want to see women and children sleeping in cars because that is the only safe place for them.”

Jackson said there was an urgent need for more long-term solutions. “We desperately need more long-term social housing for women and children leaving violence. For many, sleeping in cars is a temporary solution, but they need permanent housing.”

Firefighter Michael Kidd Among 17 Honoured at National Memorial

The names of 17 emergency service personnel, including NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) members, were added to the National Emergency Services Memorial, commemorating their ultimate sacrifice while protecting others. Among them was Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Firefighter and RFS Member Michael Kidd, who tragically lost his life while battling a house fire in Grose Vale in Sydney’s northwest late last year Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, and Commissioner of the RFS Rob Rogers AFSM, alongside special guests and family members, gathered at the annual memorial service held in Canberra in May to pay tribute to the fallen heroes.

“Today we remember and thank the men and women who have died in the line of duty, while protecting communities across NSW and further afield,” Minister Dib said.

Through the memorial, which now bears the names of over 500 personnel from Australia and New Zealand, their legacy endures as a testament to the resilience and courage of our emergency service family, he said.

Commissioner Rogers said that, this year, in addition to numerous RFS members, the families of four firefighters who perished in the past year were presented with AFAC Memorial Medallions.

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Firefighter and RFS Member Michael Kidd tragically lost his life while combating a house fire in Grose Vale in Sydney’s northwest late last year. Senior Deputy Captain John Holmes of the Mallanganee Brigade passed away last October following a medical episode while battling the Bean Creek fire in the Kyogle area. Captain Leo Fransen of the Diamond Beach Brigade on the Mid Coast lost his life after being struck by a tree while working on the Hudson fire outside of Walgett in November. Group Captain Dale Bowles of the Mid Murray, responding to a car fire in the Moama area, succumbed to a medical episode in December.

“This is a fitting tribute to them and all who have tragically left us while carrying out the selfless act of defending others,” Commissioner Rogers said.

“Our thoughts continue to be with their families, loved ones, friends, and fellow brigade members.”

The National Memorial, situated on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra, serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by emergency service personnel. The annual National Memorial service is coordinated by the Australasian Fire & Emergency Services Authorities Council (AFAC).

As winter approaches, some dogs, much like humans, are more prone to joint pain. Our canine companions often display various symptoms of joint discomfort. Beyond gait and movement issues, changes in sleep patterns and cognitive abilities might be noticed by their owners. Pain can also affect their relationships, both with humans and other animals.

A new treatment, called Beranza injection, is administered by a veterinarian once a month. It has proven effective in our clinic, often providing relief when other painkilling drugs have failed. Although it is more expensive than NSAID treatments like meloxicam, it has little to no side effects with long-term use. This drug is a monoclonal antibody that works by specifically targeting Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), a key player in osteoarthritis.

I should disclose that I have no financial interest in the company producing Beranza, nor any involvement in local Hawkesbury veterinary practices. However, I have witnessed a remarkable transformation in our 14-year-old Jack Russell since starting the monthly injections. She has become a different dog, and if we miss the treatment at the beginning of the month, we quickly notice her unhappiness and reluctance to run around.

I recommend trying a Beranza injection for dogs with osteoarthritis. If there is no noticeable improvement within a month, your veterinarian may consider a different approach.

Veterinarian Diary with Dr. David

Riverside Gardens Crossword

1 Does the leopard seal (pictured) live in the Arctic or the Antarctic?

2 Shoko Asahara formed which Japanese religious movement, which was later found responsible for the Tokyo subway attack of 1995?

3 How many people are needed to perform the exercise of shadowboxing?

4 Bordered by the Rhine valley, which country is the Black Forest found in?

5 What was Tim

leftover letters will spell out a secret message. Theme: Birds

Winton’s eighth novel, published in 2008?

6 What transition metal has the chemical symbol Pd?

7 Funambulism is the art of walking along a what?

8 What shape is a honeycomb cell?

9 The city of Pompeii was destroyed during the eruption of which volcano?

10 Ranidaphobia is a fear of what animal?

Edgeword

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

There may be more than one possible answer.

ACROSS

1 Bones; frames (9)

6 Pursues (5)

9 Regimen (7)

10 Involve (7)

11 Pleases (9)

13 Rested (5)

14 Devalued (7)

16 Indoor shoe (7)

18 North American country (3)

19 Lattice (7)

20 Challenge (7)

21 Opposite of day (5)

23 Delayed (9)

26 Starch extracted from cassava (7)

27 Roads (7)

28 Lads (5)

29 Watches; attends (9)

DOWN

1 Rashes; infections (5)

2 Impartial (9)

3 Changes (5)

4 Knighthood (1.1.1)

5 Slides (5)

6 Withdrawal; separation (9)

7 Evade (5)

Drop Down

8 Suffered from the heat (9)

12 River flowing from Tibet to the Arabian Sea (5)

14 Exploded (9)

15 Fixes; liquids (9)

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.

Sudoku

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.

23 Opposite of tails (5)

24 Fortune telling cards (5)

25 Work tables (5)

27 Prosecute (3)

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: 19 words: Good 29 words: Very good

39 words: Excellent

The

We Are Choosing to Work for Longer

Australian workers are retiring at their oldest age since the early 1970s, with the expected retirement age for both men and women remaining unchanged over the past two years. This trend suggests a significant shift in labor market dynamics post-COVID-19.

In both 2022 and 2023, the expected retirement age for men was 66.2 years, the highest since 1972. For women, it was 64.8 years, the highest since 1971. Over the past two decades, the retirement age has steadily increased from 63.3 to 66.2 years for men and from 61.6 to 64.8 years for women. This increase has been driven largely by improved job flexibility in knowledge-intensive roles and tighter labor market conditions, resulting in highly educated Australians staying in the workforce longer, according to analysis by KPMG.

“The adoption of working from home has made many older Australians in professional jobs realize that they could ‘semi-retire’ and continue to dabble in the workforce from home or even from a coastal location,” says KPMG Urban Economist, Terry Rawnsley.

Older workers remaining in the labor force during COVID-19 have increased the expected age of retirement, thereby filling vital gaps in the Australian labor market. Between 2019 and 2021, the Australian labor force grew by 185,000 people, with those aged 55 and over representing almost 70 percent (127,000) of that increase. With the return of international migration and the growth in the under-55 labor force, the share of over-55s fell to 21.3 percent in 2023.

“Even in a tight labor market, we may have reached a plateau in the expected age of retirement, suggesting we cannot expect older workers to continue working longer. This is because we simply can’t

find enough older workers to sustain the growth that occurred during the COVID-19 era,” Rawnsley said.

Since the onset of the pandemic, women have been increasingly drawn into full-time employment, with the expected

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.

age of retirement from full-time work increasing by more than a year. Meanwhile, the increased expected retirement age for men during the same period was driven by increases in part-time employment.

Among the major capital cities, Greater Perth has the highest expected retirement age for women and the second highest for men. Conversely, Greater Melbourne has the highest age for men and the second highest for women. These higher retirement ages reflect the tight labor markets in both cities. Greater Sydney and Greater Brisbane have lower expected ages of retirement, which may be linked to people shifting out of the city into nearby coastal areas such as the Central Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Gold Coast when they leave the labor force.

Rawnsley told ABC Radio that during COVID, there was a surge of older people remaining in the workforce or returning to work. “These are people who might have normally retired but you had border closures which means they couldn’t travel the country or go overseas, they go, ‘Well, I can’t travel, there’s lots of jobs around, I’m going to keep on working,’” he said.

Rawnsley also noted that data suggested people were leaving the workforce for a year for typical retirement hobbies such as gardening or playing golf but then becoming tired of that lifestyle and returning to the workforce, usually part-time.

“One decision is around, you know, income generation, one is around, sort of, social interaction, and one of those longer driving trends is the shift towards white-collar work,” he said. “It’s much easier to keep working at a laptop in an office environment when you’re 60 or 67. It’s much more challenging to be out on a construction site laying bricks or working in a physically demanding role in your 60s. As the economy has shifted more and more to that white-collar environment, that’s tended to drive up the age of retirement across time.”

in the Hea rt of the Ha wke sbu ry

Lifestyle

A Tale of Inclusivity and Growth

The Secret Garden at Western Sydney University is a delightful haven nestled in the heart of the Hawkesbury. One local recently described it as “The very best the Hawkesbury has to offer.”

It’s an excellent place for a meander, a coffee, or some plant retail therapy –and it’s all for a good cause. The Secret Garden is not just a garden; it also provides a nurturing haven for people with diverse abilities and a fantastic environment for community volunteers. Managed by North West Disability Services, the Secret Garden is a testament to the power of inclusivity and the joy of nurturing plants and people.

Caroline Cunningham, the assistant coordinator of North West Disability Services, explained: “The Secret Garden offers a safe and supportive environment where people with a range of abilities can participate and learn skills through our programs.”

“North West Disability Services was created in 1984 in the inaugural International Year of People with Disabilities. Since then, we have grown in leaps and bounds. NWDS continues to strive to Turn Dreams into Reality by focusing on opportunities to improve the daily lives of the people we serve. We aim to open up opportunities for all to flourish,” she said.

At the heart of the Secret Garden’s ethos is cultivating skills and community engagement. The garden offers several programs, including horticulture, permaculture, sustainability, animal husbandry, and mud-brick making. Through these initiatives, NDIS participants have the opportunity to flourish and grow,

contributing to a thriving and inclusive community.

Nurturing Growth, One Plant at a Time

A garden is a place of learning, engagement, and a space where individuals can find purpose and fulfilment.

Penny McKinlay, the Garden’s Manager, explained: “Our clients have various disabilities, and we can cater to whatever level people are at. If they’re here for an hour and pot four or five plants, that’s fantastic.”

The Secret Garden empowers individuals to embrace new skills, fostering a sense of achievement and self-worth, as Penny explains: “Often they’re sitting at the bench producing plants along with all of our volunteers, who are marvellous, and just help those clients with their what they’re up to. If there’s any questions, anybody can ask anybody, because we’re all just about learning from each other. So it’s a really nice environment for our volunteers as well.”

Penny highlighted the unique aspect of the garden’s plant nursery: “The good thing or the difference with our nurseries is that everything we sell here, besides the citrus, has been grown onsite, so it’s all good for the Hawkesbury conditions. So if they can over-winter here in Richmond, they’ll be good in your garden over winter. You’re not buying stock from Queensland or anything like that. It’s all tough local plants that like our conditions.”

A Welcoming and Accessible Ha-

ven

The Secret Garden is accessible for

all ages, ensuring that everyone can immerse themselves in its beauty regardless of physical ability. Penny explained: “It’s wheelchair friendly, or you can push prams. It’s built for older people or people with disabilities, and it’s just a pretty place to be, where you can just come and get a coffee and hang out.”

A Caf? with Heart

The on-site caf? provides coffee and toasties and gives clients valuable opportunities to participate in food preparation and service. The caf? is open six days a week between 10 and 2 pm.

Embracing the Community: Fundraising and Volunteering

The Secret Garden actively involves the community through fundraising events such as the Spring Scarecrow Festival (14 September) and the Christmas Fair (7 December). These events raise vital funds and serve as opportunities for the community to come together and support the garden’s fundraising efforts.

A Beacon of Inclusivity and Growth

The Secret Garden at Western Sydney University is a testament to the transformative power of nature, community, and inclusivity, nurturing plants and people, and fostering a sense of purpose, belonging, and growth.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener, a novice, a parent looking for a lovely afternoon with the kids, or a carer looking for a nice day trip, the Secret Garden is a great local destination for everyone to visit.

For more information and inquiries about volunteering at the Secret Garden or Opal Cottage (where NWDS is based), go to:

https://www.secretgarden.org.au/ https://www.nwds.org.au/ Secret Garden Address: Clydesdale Lane, Richmond NSW 2753 (enter the uni via Londonderry Road)

Opening Hours: Monday– Saturday: 9 am – 4 pm

Lifestyle Slow Cooking: The Secret to Convenient, Nutrious and Delicious Meals

By Fiona Hamann

Slow cookers were all the rage before air fryers a few years ago, but I still love them come winter for ease, convenience and the ability to set and forget. I also love the tantalising aromas wafting through the house on a cold winter’s day. Slow cooking is a culinary delight; lamb, in particular, shines using this method.

So, dust off your slow cooker and embark on a journey of culinary delight.

One of the most alluring aspects of slow cooking is its unparalleled convenience. With our fast-paced lifestyles, the ability to prepare a hearty and flavourful meal with minimal effort is a boon. Toss in the ingredients, set the timer, and go about your day, knowing that a fabulous meal will await you when you return.

Aromas that Fill the House

On a crisp, wet, and chilly day, you’re enveloped in the comforting embrace of mouthwatering scents when you get in from a day outside. Nothing quite compares to the heartiness and warmth of a slow-cooked meal in the depths of winter. Whether it’s a rich stew, a tender roast, or a flavoursome curry, slow cooking effortlessly transforms humble ingredients into soul-soothing dishes perfect for warding off the chill.

Slow cooking has the remarkable ability to fill your home with the irresistible aromas of simmering herbs, spices, and succulent meats, creating an inviting and warm atmosphere that’s hard to resist.

The “set and forget” nature of slow cooking is a godsend for busy people. Unlike stovetop cooking, which demands constant attention, slow cookers allow you to simply set the timer and let the magic happen on its own. This hands-off approach means you can focus on other tasks while still treating yourself to a delicious, home-cooked meal. Why Lamb Thrives in the Slow Cooker

With its robust and distinct flavour, lamb is a natural fit for slow cooking. The slow, gentle heat of the cooker coaxes out the rich, earthy undertones of the meat, resulting in tender, melt-inyour-mouth goodness. Additionally, the

Slow-cooked lamb Shanks with Rosemary, Vegetables and Garlic

Ingredients:

4 Lamb Shanks

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 tablespoons plain flour or gluten-free substitute

2 stalks of celery sliced

2 large carrots peeled and sliced

2 potatoes peeled and diced (large)

250-300g pumpkin, peeled and diced (large)

1 turnip peeled and diced large (optional)

4 garlic cloves, crushed

300g sliced mushrooms

8 small French eshallots

2 bay leaves (fresh or dried)

connective tissues in lamb break down over extended cooking times, rendering it beautifully tender and succulent.

I knocked this recipe up last weekend when it was chilly and windy. I used lamb shanks from Sydney Wholesale Meats in Richmond, which came in a pack of four for just over $20.00. They must have been the best-priced lamb shanks in Sydney – and oh so meaty, too! One shank per person was enough. Vegetables were mostly locally grown from Sciberras Fresh at Freemans Reach – If you haven’t shopped there, it’s a local institution. Well priced seasonal produce. Use whatever root vegetables are in season, and you can

3 sprigs of fresh rosemary

2 teaspoons herbs de Provence (I used Herbies Spices) or Italian spice mix

1/2 bunch fresh chopped parsley

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 generous pinch of paprika

3/4 cup of red wine

3 tablespoons tomato paste

500ml Beef stock

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Put the flour, salt, and pepper into a zip-lock bag, and add the lamb shanks one at a time, coating them with the mixture.

Add one tablespoon of oil to a frypan

add green vegetables like zucchini in the last hour of cooking if you want to. If you shop at one of the big supermarkets, one of those winter soup vege packs will also be fine in place of the ingredients listed.

Herbs were from Scibberas and Richmond Fruit Market, which has a fantastic selection. I always have a stash of fresh herbs in the fridge. Use whatever you have to hand (but steer clear of Asian-style herbs like coriander for this recipe, which is quite European).

Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of the end result, but rest assured, the family wolfed it down.

and brown the shanks on all sides. Putting the mushrooms on the bottom of your slow cooker, add the other ingredients except the lamb and stock, and mix around.

Making a nest among the vegetables, transfer the lamb to the slow cooker and pour over the stock, which should mostly submerge the ingredients. If not, add more stock or a bit of water. Cook on low for 5-6 hours, or high for 3-4 hours until the meat is tender and falling off the bone. Turn the shanks over half way through cooking if you can, but it’s no biggie if you don’t Serve with mashed potato, salad and warm crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

KSTP Gymnastics Dominates Aussie Championships

The Australian Gymnastics Championships for 2024 closed, marking the end of a successful campaign for KSTP Gymnastics Club. With 26 athletes in tow, the club showcased commendable performances throughout the competition last month.

KSTP Gymnastics Club congratulated its athletes for their achievements, highlighting their dedication on and off the competition floor. The club’s collective tally included 13 gold medals, 7 individual team gold medals, 3 silver medals, and 5 bronze medals.

“For some, their results exceeded their expectations. For others, there’s still unfinished business. But one thing we know all our athletes share is the desire and drive to get back in the gym and start working towards new goals for the next comp. For most, this will be National Clubs in September,” it said.

South Wales (NSW) claimed the overall tumbling trophy and secured the second position in the overall state standings, adding to the success of the competition.

The club paid tribute to the support staff, including Team GNSW management, coaches, officials, and physiotherapists, for their contributions. Additionally, the club thanked Gymnastics Australia, the judges, and volunteers for their efforts organising the event.

Tuesday- Sunday 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 4:30–8:30 pm Monday Closed

Sport

Local Studio that is Inspiring the Next Generation of Ballet Dancers

At just 16 years old, Mikaela Shedden has already danced her way to international acclaim. Starting ballet just four years ago, she quickly realised she needed to dedicate herself fully to the craft. Training more than 40 hours a week at The Ballet School Australia (TBSA), some days from 10 am until 9 pm, her commitment led to an invitation to the prestigious 5-week Summer Intensive in Houston, Texas – a program notoriously difficult to get into. Shedden, who left school after Year 10 to pursue ballet, says, “I knew I was already behind so I needed to catch up; I decided I had to risk something for it.”

Shedden’s story is just one example of the dedication fostered at TBSA, based in Windsor in the Hawkesbury since 2019. The school was established in the early 1980s in partnership with professional ballet dancer Elaine Fifield. Under the guidance of Noeleyne Wilson, TBSA’s headteacher, the school has cultivated a nurturing environment for budding dancers. Wilson, who has performed alongside ballet legends like Margot Fonteyn and Ivan Nagy, ensures her teaching staff is “very experienced,” helping students become “well-rounded” dancers.

Wilson’s approach to ballet education is unique, focusing heavily on the mental and physical health of the students and the safety of their bodies – a lesson she learned first-hand after an injury

curtailed her own dancing career as a teenager. This philosophy is embodied in programs like her ‘Stretch and Strength’ classes and anatomy lessons, which have proven so effective that Wilson proudly states her students have never sustained an injury “in all my years of teaching.”

Another promising student, 14-year-old Charles Miles, has been with TBSA for 10 years, starting dance at just four years old. He describes his time at the studio as being part of a “family.” Miles is now training hard to achieve his goal of being accepted into the New Zealand Company. His recent acceptance into the Alberta Summer School, a three-week course in Canada, will provide him with an invaluable glimpse into Alberta’s full-time ballet program. This opportunity includes daily ballet classes and exposure to various dance styles and training programs. As TBSA prepares Shedden for her big move to Canada for a full-time Intensive Course later this year, Wilson says; “I’ve got a different approach to a lot of teachers. It’s very focused on the students and the individual as they work.” The school’s commitment to individualised care and rigorous training ensures that students like Shedden and Miles are not only equipped to succeed but to excel in the demanding world of professional ballet. Shedden, looking forward to her future, says she is “excited to see where this will take me.”

Dancer Sarai Ades

Dancer Mikaela Shedden

Sport

Australia Claims Top Ten Spot at Kronenberg Nations Cup

A team of Australian riders, including two from the Hawkesbury, recently represented Australia at the Kronenberg Nations Cup in the Netherlands. The Nations Cup, the oldest and most prestigious team competition in equestrian sport, has been held since 1909. Teams from around the world competed for one of the most coveted prizes in showjumping.

Amelia Douglass from Glossodia and Gabi Chugg from Tennyson joined their Australian teammates, Tom McDermott from Mulgoa, and Thaisa Erwin, who is based in the Netherlands. They competed against top equestrian countries, including Great Britain, the USA, Belgium, Germany, and Sweden, with the competition kicking off on Friday. Australia finished in the top ten, marking a significant achievement for the team.

For Chugg and Douglass, this was their first Nations Cup. Douglass, the youngest rider on the team, expressed her excitement about the opportunity. “It’s so exciting to have represented Australia in my first senior Nations Cup team. It’s always been a goal of mine. We had a fantastic team and I loved every moment in the ring.”

Chugg, who has been based in Europe for more than a year, highlighted the importance of her time spent there for her development as a rider. “There is no place like home (the Hawkesbury) when it comes to raising and producing

horses and riders,” she said. “However, the top of the sport is in Europe, and it’s where you have to be to get ‘match fit.’ Competing against the best riders and horses in the world week in and week out provides consistency that we don’t get at home. I felt extremely honored to represent Australia in such a prestigious event. Gaining team experience at an international level was really exciting.”

In the following week, another team of Australians competed at the Nations Cup in Rome at the renowned Piazza di Siena arena. The team of four included Glossodia-based Amber Fuller and former Hawkesbury resident Edwina Tops-Alexander. Australia competed against ten teams from Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, the USA, Sweden, and Italy, with ˆ220,000 in prize money at stake.

The Piazza di Siena arena holds historical significance for senior equestrian enthusiasts. In 1987, Australian Olympian Vicki Roycroft won the Grand Prix there on her Australian thoroughbred, Apache.

In the lead-up to the Olympics, several leading Australian showjumpers have moved to Europe to try to gain selection for the Paris Olympics. Others are using the opportunity to gain experience in Europe while looking towards the Los Angeles Olympics.

Gabi Chugg from Tennyson will represent Australia in the Nations Cup aboard her 13 year old gelding, PSS Levilensky