Not Happy, Jan!
The biggest gain was made by Independent Mary-Lyons Buckett’s “People Not Parties.” They were the only Group to secure an extra seat in the Council Chamber, with Tom Aczel a new face amongst the 12 Councillors this term.
The message from voters is unmistakably clear: dissatisfaction with the status quo has reached a boiling point. Former Mayor Sarah McMahon and her Liberal Party suffered a staggering blow, shedding more than a quarter of their 2021 vote. McMahon’s individual support plummeted by over 36% compared to the last local government election, highlighting a profound loss of confidence among constituents. The Liberals clung to their fourth seat by a mere nine votes, a nail-biting margin that underscores their fragile position. Meanwhile, the Labor Party, under Amanda Kotlash’s leadership, faced a similar fate, seeing its representation halved as it lost one of its two seats. These results not only signal a dramatic shift in voter sentiment but also weaken the once-dominant Liberal-Labor voting bloc that controlled the previous Council.
The 2024 Hawkesbury Council election has delivered a significant shake-up, as voters turned away from the traditional powerhouses of the Liberal and Labor parties in favor of independents and minor parties. While some familiar faces remain, the dominance of the major parties has been decisively broken, with the Liberal Party suffering one of the largest local government swings in the region’s history.
The result saw a surge in support for independent candidates and minor parties. Shane Djuric’s Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers (SFF) Party recorded a dramatic 34% increase in its vote compared to 2021, capturing 10.32% of the total formal vote. Similarly, Eddie Dogramachi’s Small Business Party has a strong swing towards it, securing 7.6% of the vote, a 47% increase from 2021. Independent Nathan Zamprogno, not only retained his seat but also received the largest individual vote of any candidate, almost 55% more votes than McMahon who had him expelled from the Liberal Party last year. McMahon’s individual vote collapsed, suffering a decline of more than 36% since the last election.
The Greens, led by Danielle Wheeler, also saw a notable rise in support, with their vote increasing by almost 10%. Wheeler’s party now holds 8.4% of the overall vote, compared to 7.08% in 2021, indicating that environmental issues are gaining more traction with voters. Wheeler described the election result as a sign of a major shift in the electorate’s priorities. “The result shows that people are increasingly choosing an alternative to the old major parties. More than half the Hawkesbury have voted for minor parties and independents with clear plans to make the Hawkesbury better. Now it’s time for us to work together to see those plans come to fruition. What’s really notable is the rise in the progressive vote, especially the People Not Parties tick-
Continued on page 4
Hundreds Rally To Find Missing Ava
It only took seconds for six-year-old Ava to dash away, says her father, Brendan Edmonds “Ava put her shoes on to come out the back door, but I was going to mow the lawn with the ride-on. Her mum was just putting a load of washing on. So I said, ‘No, darling, wait until I’ve done the lawns, and then you can come out.’ A few seconds later, I heard the front door. So I ran out to the front, and she was already gone – just like that.”
CCTV footage later showed Ava running like she was in a race. As Brendan explains, “She’s never run, but I reckon, in the CCTV, she was running like she was in the Olympics, so to speak.”
What unfolded on Monday morning, September 23, was a heart-stopping search, as hundreds of locals from Glossodia and beyond joined forces with emergency services to find her.
Neighbour Michelle Rampling sounded the alarm on social media. “She was the first one to hear my
partner come out. She didn’t give up. She was out here 10 minutes after Ava had gone missing and stayed with my partner right through to the end,” Brendan said. “She was the one who thought of checking the CCTV cameras, and that gave us a direction to search.”
Michelle immediately posted on social media. It was the type of post no one wants to read, but it rallied the volunteer searchers. “I said to [Lisa], ‘Do you have the Glossvegas page?’ She said ‘no,’ so I immediately put it out there. The response was amazing,” Michelle told the Hawkesbury Post.
That afternoon, Michelle posted a desperate plea on the Glossvegas Facebook page: “There had been a little autistic girl that has gone missing on Wattle Crescent. She is six years old, sandy blonde hair, wearing a t-shirt and nappy. She has been missing
Continued on page 4
Community Furious Over Tree Carnage See page 8 and 9
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Dear Editor
Re: Hawkesbury Post article “Lib-Labor Alliance Blocks Koala Protection Plan”, (Online) 14 August 2024
As previously notified, we received a complaint concerning the above article.
The complainant is Councillor Kotlash
In summary, the complainant expressed concern with the article’s following comments:
“The Liberal-Labor alliance on Hawkesbury Council once again voted together last night, leaving the region’s koala population unprotected”
“In a decision that has sparked community outrage, the majority of councillors chose to delay the implementation of a Koala Plan of Management (KPoM), despite a petition signed by nearly 900 residents and recommendations from council staff to analyse koala records and map critical koala corridors.”
In relation to the above comments, the complainant said there is no Liberal-Labor alliance and that it is inaccurate and unfair to state that the Council has “once again” delayed the implementation of the KPoM. The complainant said that the Council has committed to the preparation of a KPoM and noting that Council is currently funding and undertaking the fine-scale vegetation mapping that is required for the KPoM.
After careful consideration of the complaint, it has been decided not to proceed further with the complaint. While we note that the Hawkesbury Council would appear to have committed implementing a KPoM, it has not yet been implemented. In relation to this, we note the resolution of 13 Au-
A Wake-Up Call As The Community Calls For Change
The recent local council elections have sent a powerful message: Hawkesbury residents are willing to change their votes when they feel unheard or dissatisfied. Voting patterns have shifted dramatically, particularly away from the major parties, with the Liberal Party - once enjoying near-unquestionable support - now facing significant losses. The local Labor Party has even lost one seat in the chamber. Voters have made it clear that loyalty is no longer guaranteed and patience is finite. This election isn’t just about leadership change; it reflects an engaged, informed community. Hawkesbury residents are digging into local issues and making their voices heard. Frustration with empty promises demonstrates that
party loyalty is fading. Your vote conveys a desire for leaders who listen beyond campaign season.
Publisher Australian Neighbourhood Media Please
At the Hawkesbury Post, we’ve witnessed firsthand the community’s investment. Over the past year, the response to our stories has been incredible. The most recent example was your reaction to the felling of native trees for two new developments. The stories brought in hundreds of comments, shares, and messages, with locals demanding answers, accountability, and a say in what happens in their own backyard.
This is precisely why we do what we do. Our role is to ensure you know what’s happening, who’s making decisions, and what’s at stake. We believe in journalism
Letters to the Editor
gust 2024 meeting was “That Council defer consideration of this matter to the next meeting”. In relation 11 June 2024 Hawkesbury Council meeting, we again note that while the Hawkesbury Council appears to have committed to a strategy to implement the KPoM, the KPoM itself was not implemented. In relation the complainant’s concerns that it is inaccurate to refer to a “Liberal-Labor alliance”, we note that the article is referring to decisions made specifically in relation to the implementation of the KPoM and not in relation to all the decisions made the Hawkesbury Council. In any event, we note that those that voted to defer consideration of the matter are Labor and Liberal councillors.
Accordingly, we regard the matter about which the complainant expressed concern to be unlikely to be considered a breach of the Council’s Standards of Practice.
The complainant has been informed of the outcome and the complaint is now closed, subject to any request for a review (see the Review Factsheet).
Kind regards, Paul Nangle
Director
of Complaints
Australian Press Council Inc
To the Editor Councillors’ role in the Hawkesbury should include preventing issues being hidden or flown under an incorrect masthead by Directors but this is rarely done considering the little commitment to challenging, exposing and repairing their wrongful decisions.
The RFS recently highlighted this by ordering the reduction of the bush fire
hazard on 188 acres of Council managed Crown Land in Bilpin and our General Manager pushed back claiming “We note that this does not appear to have any legislative basis under the Rural Fires Act and Council have objected”
This overgrown land is designated for “public recreation, resting place and camping” but on 21 December 2019 it was the corridor for the escaped Mount Wilson backburn to reach the Tutti Fruitti home and cafe, close 1.3 km of Bells Line to all traffic including fire trucks, and jump across into the Wollemi National Park and our 75 acres. The regrowth is again a bushfire threat with the RFS notifying Council that “the bush fire hazard has created a threat to both your property and your neighbours.”
Bizarrely the Director of City Planning had inspected this area on 21 September 2022 declaring “this neglect is unacceptable” and stating she “would attend to it” but instead paid thousands to a contractor to destroy ornamental trees we had planted on the nature strip as part of the 2019-2020 bushfire recovery.
Martin and Marion TEBBUTT Bilpin
To the Editor
This letter is in relation to the flooding of the Hawkesbury.
I have noticed that the Warragamba Dam is at approximately 98% capacity and yet we have not had any decent rain for 6 weeks or more.
This poses a problem if we have three or four inches of rain in the catchment and we get minor flooding. A minor
that stands firm, asks tough questions, and digs deeper. Holding politicians, local officials, and developers accountable benefits us all. Most importantly, we believe in you - the community that reads, reacts, and responds with such passion.
Twelve months ago, when we launched our first print edition, we knew it was a gamble. With local papers vanishing across the country, we were uncertain whether there was still a hunger for a publication that shares local stories and amplifies community voices. But you proved there is.
Thank you for your trust, your engagement, and for reading. We hope you enjoy the October edition of the Hawkesbury Post. Editor, Samantha Magnussin sma@hawkesburypost.com.au
flood doesn’t seem so bad, but in reality it costs individuals, farmers, etc.a lot of money and inconvenience with bridges and roads closed. Our local councils and state government don’t seem to care about this recurring problem.
Why is the dam staying at 98% when we are having very little rain?
The answer may be because they are replenishing the water at Warragamba from the dams that are south of Sydney thereby causing man made floods in the Hawkesbury district. The dams south of Sydney seem to be receiving more than their fair share of rain. So, although some people are advocating a drop in the level of water at Warragamba Dam to create a buffer against flooding, perhaps the opposite is happening with the dam being topped up from other dams.
Geoff Appleby
To the Editor
I received a note from Redbank Communities concerning road widening along the Bowen Mountain Road from the new roundabout for about 1 km till where the new ugly water tanks are.
I was appalled to see when driving past hundreds of perfectly good mature native trees (the ones you need to get council permission to remove) have been earmarked for removal, of course on the Redbank side of the road nothing is touched !!!
Surely when council approved Redbank’s earlier road making they could have allowed for widening on their side of the road They are not even making 2 lanes merely resurfacing the old one!! It’s a disgrace.
Kind regards Geoffrey Hill
Photo credit Perspectives by Peter Haynes
Floods Fueled By Road Design. Could It Happen Here?
“People were sitting on their roofs, hearing the water hit the wall and ricochet - this loud sound - and then waves of water would rush back across the town,” recalled Evans Head resident Lyndall Murray, reflecting on the devastating night of February 2022, when floods ravaged the Richmond Valley in Northern NSW.” The turbulation in the water was created by the wall, and that’s probably what scared people, clinging to their roofs, the most. They didn’t know if they’d survive the night.”
Two years later, the scars of that disaster remain. Residents are still struggling to rebuild from a catastrophe they believe was made worse by the highway acting as a dam wall. The water stagnated for 12 days, trapped west of the highway, when other communities were able to clean their homes.
For more than a decade, locals had warned governments that the new Pacific Highway upgrade would act as a dam, exacerbating floods in communities upstream. When the floods came on February 28, 2022, the devastation was unprecedented. Thousands of homes and businesses across the Northern Rivers region were ravaged. Residents in towns downstream of Lismore, like Woodburn, Broadwater, Coraki and Wardell, had never experienced anything like it.
As the Hawkesbury awaits the results of the flood study and final designs for the new Richmond Bridge, concerns are rising about the impact a raised road on the floodplain could have. The parallels to Richmond Valley are hard to ignore. Woodburn resident, Bert Plenkovich OAM, told the ABC in 2022, “Why would you put a highway on the lowest possible area of the floodplain when you have an option to place it on higher ground? We could see that it would hold back flooding.”
In the Hawkesbury the former NSW government ignored the advice of their experts to build the bridge south of the current bridge - known as the Purple Route. This route provided the most flood resilience and the least impact on surrounding properties. Instead, the bridge will now be built 50 metres downstream from the current bridge in one of the lowest parts of the floodplain and will require raised roads to ensure it can be accessed in a 15.3-metre flood. Kurrajong Road on the eastern side of the bridge is just 12 metres.
The aftermath of the Richmond Valley floods included talk of a class-action lawsuit against the government for damages caused by the highway. However, the toll of the disaster left most residents too exhausted to pursue legal action.
“These people lost everything,” Murray said. “The $790 million Resilient Homes Grant was rolled out too slowly, and 5,000 homes were rejected for funding in June 2023.
“Most of our community are on pensions or disability payments, so when people are trying to make ends meet, any energy left to try and campaign for a class action, lost traction because of the magnitude of the rebuild for the community,” she said.
Despite the community’s efforts to seek accountability, residents remain in the dark about the true extent of the highway’s impact on the flooding. A promised investigation into the flood modelling remains hidden from public view. “Transport for NSW (TfNSW) is completing modelling validation in respect of the record flooding that impacted Woodburn in February and March 2022,” a TfNSW spokesperson told the Hawkesbury Post. “This modelling is privileged and cannot be released to the public,” he said. When we asked why the information was privileged, TfNSW did not respond.
The floodwaters in Richmond Valley didn’t just inundate homes; they lingered for 12 days, causing severe damage to foundations and leaving entire communities underwater long after the floods receded in other areas. Murray emphasised the difference between Richmond Valley and neighbouring Lismore: “In Lismore, the water came up and down quite quickly. But for 12 days, our water stayed stagnant through
Continued on page 6
Pet Food Factory Leaves Residents Gasping
“It’s been like this for months now. Every time I step outside, the smell hits you like a wall. It’s so bad, I can’t even hang my washing out or open my windows,” Wilberforce resident, Logan (name changed), wrote to Hawkesbury City Council more than four years ago, their frustration palpable. Since then, little has changed. The stench from the Hypro pet food factory has pushed Logan, a Wilberforce resident of 15 years, to consider leaving their home. “I don’t know what else to do. We’ve tried everything - complaints, petitions, you name it. No one seems to be listening.”
Logan’s experience is far from unique. Nearby residents continue to describe the odour as “unbearable” and “putrid,” akin to “cooking dead animals.” One neighbour lamented, “We can’t have barbecues, our kids can’t play outside,” while others say the smell worsens on humid days.
For years, locals have battled the stench, claiming the factory violates consent conditions and operates outside regulated hours, with trucks routinely arriving during restricted times. The Hawkesbury Post has sighted years of correspondence between residents, Council and Hypro management.
In June 2018, Logan wrote: “As you can see, our main concern is the smell. However, the activity down there seems to be growing with earlier start times and later finishes. You can hear semi-trailers pulling up very late at night and sometimes early in the morning. They are then accompanied by the sounds of forklifts… When we moved here, this factory didn’t exist. It has been growing dramatically, producing more and more foul odours, and they are well and truly working outside
normal hours.”
In 2019, Logan noted: “…there is a 12/10 very foul odour. I’ve had to close all my back windows and sliding door as our kitchen and lounge are filling up with the bad smell.” The next day, Logan wrote: “It’s like déjà vu this morning. Opened my back door and guess what greeted me. Actually, my entire family has been having gut issues. I’m wondering.”
By 2020, Logan’s patience had worn thin: “Could I please have an update on what Council has done about Hypro, if anything? The smell is horrific and more frequent, and the late-hour activities continue.”
In the correspondence Council has told residents it had sought legal advice, conducted surveillance, and held discussions with Hypro, yet ongoing complaints suggest little has changed. “It would be good to know if they cook every day. Sometimes it smells like boiling dead chooks; other times it’s simply a strong kibble odour,” a resident said. Frustrated by the lack of action, Logan has lodged complaints with both Hawkesbury City Council and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), only to be caught in a bureaucratic loop. “Council says it’s within regulations, and the EPA says it’s a council issue. I’m just passed from one to the other.” “I’ve kept logs, sent videos, but it all leads to nothing. One time, they even lost my video.” The company’s senior management has told Logan that the complaints would forwarded to the compliance team, but nothing has changed.
Many residents trace the problem back to Hypro’s expansion into manufacturing, shifting from packaging to full-scale production. “It started small, but then these chimneys went up, and the smell became unbearable,” Logan
explained. “Now they operate early and late, and it’s not just the smell. The noise, lights, and trucks at all hours are a constant presence, but the smell is what drives people mad.”
Despite double-glazed windows, the odour frequently invades Logan’s home. “We can’t even hang my laundry outside - it seeps into everything.” The family lives less than a kilometre from the factory, yet relief remains elusive.
Other residents echo these complaints, with one person stating, “The smell is sometimes worse in the mornings, sometimes at night, but it’s always there.” Another resident, who lives near Wilberforce sports grounds, added, “On Saturdays, when there’s soccer or cricket, the smell is horrendous for players and spectators. It’s like the air is toxic, and you can’t escape it.”
When approached by the Hawkesbury Post, Hypro Industries did not respond to requests for comment about the odour complaints or concerns about operational violations. However, emails seen by the Post show that Hypro previously denied responsibility for the smell, instead blaming nearby Grange Growing Solutions.
“When myself and another colleague approached Hypro last year with the odour concerns, they were very firm and believed it was not coming from them, alleging it was from Grange Growing Solutions. Hypro has a weather station on-site and used some of the data collected to back up their claims. With them refuting the odour is produced by their processes, any future regulatory action taken by Council will probably result in legal action from their side, which would put
Not Happy, Jan!
FROM PAGE 1
et gaining two spots, which hasn’t happened since the days of conservative Mayor Rex Stubbs.”
A Major Shift Away from Liberal and Labor Liberal leader McMahon has seen her party’s vote dive. In 2021, the Liberals commanded over a third of the total vote, but this year, their share fell from 34.4% to 24.6%. Despite an increase of 1,661 in the number of eligible electors, more than 3,615 people who voted Liberal in 2021 have switched their support to other parties or independents. This marks one of the largest local government swings in the Hawkesbury, as voters reject the status quo.
The Labor Party, which in the past has aligned with the Liberals on key votes in Council, fared no better. Labor shed 26% of its 2021 vote, reducing its presence in the Chamber and losing influence. The much-maligned Liberal-Labor voting bloc, which controlled much of the Council’s agenda in the last term, has been dealt a significant blow. Zamprogno, reflecting on the election outcome, said, “This result is good for the community because it returns control of our Council to citizens with independent voices and away from the dysfunction of the major political parties. It is clear
that people have reacted badly to the acrimony and personal drama that made the last Council such a mess. Now, people expect us to focus on the basics, especially roads, but also finishing our new Local Environment Plan (LEP) and reintroducing a range of protections to accountability, our environment, and heritage that were stripped away by the last Council. I’m excited about the ability of the new chamber to make significant progress in these areas.”
Independents and Minor Parties on the Rise
Lyons-Buckett, whose “People Not Parties” group secured an additional seat, expressed a similar sentiment; “Since 2012, I have actively advocated for a 12-member Council to represent the Hawkesbury area, free from the dominance of major political parties. The election results reflect that our community shares this vision, as we’ve seen a notable decline in votes for major parties. The message is clear: people want us to focus on delivering essential services and facilities funded by their rates, ensuring a well-maintained road network, and preserving the unique character of our region. It’s evident that residents do not wish to see a continuation of the major party bloc of Liberal and Labor Councillors that dominated the previous two Councils and failed to meet the expectations of our community. I am looking forward to a fresh new Council term.”
This election also saw a marked increase in the number of voters casting deliberate preferences. More than 13.3% of voters chose to vote “below the line,” ensuring that their preferences were directed to specific candidates rather than the parties themselves. This is similar to the 13.9% who voted BTL in 2021, but one signal toward more deliberate voting was many groups also exchanging preferences, encouraging voters to number multiple squares above the line. This reduced the number of “exhausted” votes and ensured that voter preferences were influential throughout the counting process.
A Clear Message from the Electorate
The message from voters couldn’t be clearer – Hawkesbury residents want new voices, independent perspectives, and a focus on the issues that matter most – roads, infrastructure, and preserving the character of the region.
As the newly elected Council members prepare to take their seats, one question looms large: who will be the next Mayor? Unlike other councils, the Mayor of Hawkesbury is not directly elected by the residents but chosen by fellow Councillors. With the major party bloc fractured and independents holding significant influence, the decision on who will lead the Council is now wide open.
Hundreds Rally To Find Missing Ava
FROM PAGE 1
for about 20 minutes. Please can everyone keep an eye out for her – the police have been called. It’s my neighbour’s little girl. Thank you.”
The community responded in force. Brendan estimates that between 200 to 300 local volunteers joined the search, though police put the number closer to 100.
The overwhelming support gave Brendan hope that Ava would be found.
“After the one-hour mark, I was getting really, really worried. We called the police, obviously, but I only had two eyes. I was thinking it was like finding a needle in a haystack. But as I saw more and more people coming out, I got so much more confident that she was going to be found.”
Five hours after she went missing, Ava was found by two local men, Charles Xiberras and his cousin Luke, who had travelled from Grose View to join the search. Coincidentally, one of the men has a child with autism, while the other has a newborn also named Ava. Brendan was full of praise for the men who helped find his daughter.
In an interview with Seven News, Charles Xiberras said: “I felt helpless, hearing it on the radio and the news, so I came out with my cousin, Luke. We were trying to work out what to do, and as we were working it out, we heard plovers swooping down at a little girl. We thought maybe it was someone who lives on the property, but as we got clos-
er, we realised it was actually her.”
Having only moved to Glossodia with his partner Lisa in July,, Brendan said they were still getting to know the neighbourhood. He knew no one “from a bar of soap” and hadn’t even met the neighbours yet.
“It’s hard to describe in words, but the feeling and the support that I received in our time of need, in our new community of Glossodia – the love, the effort. Thank you. I’m proud to say that I’ve moved into Glossodia,” Brendan tld the Hawkesbury POst.
He also expressed his gratitude to emergency services. “I want to thank the emergency services like the SES and the RFS, but in particular, the four Hawkesbury detectives on the case. There was a lady and three gentlemen, and they were so supportive and like rocks with us. It was unbelievable how good they were with us.”
But it’s also the local community –and especially Michelle – that Brendan will never forget.
“People I’d never even met before were out there looking for Ava like she was their own daughter,” he says. “I’ll never forget that. We’re so lucky to be here.”
For Michelle, the experience left her humbled by the outpouring of support. However, she remains modest about her role in the search. “My daughters even said, ‘You don’t realise what you did,’ but I don’t think I did anything special,” she said. “It’s just what you do when you live in a closeknit community – you look out for your neighbours.”
Floods Fueled By Road Design – Could It Happen Here?
people’s homes because there was no escape route for the water to reach the wetlands and flow to the ocean.”
Most believed the key issue was the design of the new road. The drainage holes built under the highway were too small to handle floodwater and debris, effectively blocking the natural flow of water. “If you get one tree branch caught on that drain, there’s no water going anywhere,” Murray explained.
Residents are frustrated with what they see as a systemic failure of government agencies to listen to local voices. “This is a testament to the epic failure of the State government to listen to local knowledge,” Murray said. “Experts ignored generations of lived experience from the people who know these floodplains intimately.”
Despite raising concerns during consultation meetings as early as 2006, locals found their input sidelined or excluded from official records. Some meetings weren’t even minuted, forcing residents to fight to have their insights recorded. Even as government agencies promised transparency, crucial design changes ignored local knowledge. A flood-free alternative route was also proposed by residents but ultimately rejected.
Rumours persist that cost-cutting measures played a role in the flawed infrastructure design. However, with the investigation’s findings kept secret, the community is left in the dark. “We deserve transparency,” Murray said.
Pet Food Factory Leaves Residents
Gasping
FROM PAGE 3
Council in a tricky situation,” a Council officer wrote to a resident in 2020. Council maintains that Hypro is operating within the law. “Hypro has development consent to operate their business on-site. Council has received complaints in the past about odour and truck movements, which have been investigated by Council and its partner agencies. These investigations have found Hypro is operating in compliance with the regulatory framework,” a spokesperson for Hawkesbury City Council said. The EPA said it’s a Council matter. However, residents disagree and say they feel abandoned. “We’ve been ignored for years,” one complainant said. “At this point, I just feel like nobody cares.”
Despite this, Hypro wants to expand its operations, which include purchasing the nearby Woodlands Park Pony Club site. The land, valued for its high biodiversity and role as a wildlife corridor, would require rezoning for industrial use. “I would be very concerned if they build another factory or intensify their operations,” said a local resident who has written to the company about the smell for two years. The situation echoes the battle fought by residents near the Elf Farm Supplies mushroom composting factory in Mulgrave, where a “sustained campaign” led the EPA to intervene. When an odour monitor was finally deployed, it found the factory operating at 100 odour units near Hawkesbury Hospital, far exceeding the one-unit limit at the boundary.
[All residents spoken to by the Hawkesbury Post asked to have their names withheld from publication]
Satellite images show the flooding at Woodburn in NSW
“People who invested their life savings in their homes or businesses deserve to know what went wrong and how it will be fixed. But we’ve seen nothing from the government.”
Murray’s warning to the Hawkesbury is clear: “These infrastructure projects need to be informed by local knowledge.
If they build that bridge and those roads without listening to the people who know the floodplain, it will be a disaster.”
Residents are taking matters into their own hands. “We’ve already started preparing for the next flood,” Murray said. “We know the water will stay for days again. We’re setting up our own crisis manage-
ment plans because we have no faith the government will be there to help us.”
Murray’s message is simple: “We need accountability from those making these decisions. Until they start listening to locals and applying common sense, we’re going to keep facing these disasters, and people will continue to suffer.”
Tender Turmoil as Cornwallis Riverbank Crisis Worsens
Farmers and landowners in Cornwallis and the Richmond Lowlands are facing yet another year of waiting for the repair of the collapsed road and riverbank along the Hawkesbury River. The $18.7 million project, meant to fix the damage that began almost four years ago, has stalled again, pushing potential repairs into 2026 after another delay in the tender process.
An investigation by the Hawkesbury Post (HP) revealed that although Hawkesbury City Council (HCC) secured $18.7 million in funding through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements in December 2023, the council delayed announcing this until February 2024. Of the funding, $8.2 million was allocated for a new road and $13.5 million for the reconstruction of the riverbank and drainage. However, despite the urgency, a four-week tender was not issued until June 2024, more than three years after the damage occurred in March 2021.
This delay, combined with further tender complications, has only added to the frustration. In June, HCC and Public Works shortlisted six companies and appeared ready to award the contract to local firm Jeffsann Excavations, people familiar with the tender told the Hawkesbury Post. Jeffsann had been working with private landholders Jeremy Bayard and Emmanuel Degabriel to restore parts of their properties.
Jeffsann’s bid of $13.5 million beat a rival bid from Sutherland-based Haslin Constructions by $2 million. However, in a sudden reversal, Public Works declared that Jeffsann did not qualify for projects over $9 million, despite inviting them to bid three months earlier.
In response to inquiries, an HCC spokesperson said: “Following extensive evaluation and in accordance with the NSW Government’s tendering requirements, it was deemed that the tender responses failed to demonstrate value-for-money, a key requirement of the State and Federal Government funding.” The spokesperson added, “a new open
tender process will shortly commence with the objective of awarding a contract prior to the end of this calendar year.”
Meanwhile, local landowners continue to struggle with the worsening damage. “The canyon,” as it’s referred to, began when a poorly maintained HCC drain collapsed in early 2021. Over the years, the damage has expanded, with significant economic and environmental consequences. Turf farmers have seen their land inundated with silt from the breached riverbanks during floods, destroying millions of dollars’ worth of crops. One turf farmer noted that “hundreds of tonnes of extra silt are dumped
on our land during floods, causing devastating damage.”
Even as construction drags on, logistical blunders have piled up. The HP learned that $1.6 million has been spent on new box culverts to replace pipes ordered by HCC that were found to be the wrong size. Those pipes, worth $1 million, have been sitting unused on the riverbank for two years. Although some of the pipes have been repurposed, the tender documents also call for 42 pipes to be crushed and disposed of, which conflicts with HCC’s earlier claims that they would be reused.
HCC maintains that once the contract is awarded, construction will take ap-
proximately 9 -12 months, depending on weather and river conditions. An HCC spokesperson acknowledged the risk of further delays, stating, “Despite the recent dry weather, major storages in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment remain close to their full supply levels, and while ever this remains the case, there remains an elevated risk of a flood, as we saw in April and June this year, should there be a significant rainfall event.”
Yet, with no firm start date, local farmers and landowners continue to face growing concerns as the riverbank damage remains unaddressed and the tender process restarts.
Neither HCC nor Public Works have commented on the abrupt change in decision. Jeffsann also declined to comment. One local resident familiar with the process told the HP that “the reality is work on Cornwallis won’t commence until March/April, which is during the greatest threat of flooding - meaning that work may stretch into 2026.”
The Hawkesbury River in flood pouring through the compromised riverbank at Cornwallis
Local farmers and landowners will have to wait as the riverbank damage remains unaddressed.
Community Furious Over Tree Carnage
In September, a pair of Tawny Frogmouths perched on an old gum tree in Kurrajong, guarding their soon-to-hatch eggs. Three weeks later, their home was gone. The tree, along with dozens of others, was felled to widen a private road for a housing development at 150 Hermitage Road, Kurrajong.
Eric Finley, a long-time resident, was devastated when he returned home to find the landscape transformed. “All of the wildlife corridor is destroyed,” he told the Hawkesbury Post, referring to the removal of 30 to 40 mature trees late last month, including Eucalyptus punctata, a critical food source for koalas. Finley’s family have lived adjacent to the property since 1999, documenting over 130 koala sightings there since 2009.
The destruction of these trees, half of which were over 50 years old, has wreaked havoc on a crucial wildlife corridor. The once densely treed route allowed species to move between Blue Gum Creek and bushland along Mill Road. Now, it’s gone, with native animals like koalas, sugar gliders, and even the endangered masked owl left without cover or food sources.
“There was a beautiful old Grey Gum overhanging Douglas Farm Road, where frogmouths and Wonga pigeons had nested for years,” Finley explained. “Their chicks would have been helpless when the tree was felled. We can only hope the parents survived.”
While Hawkesbury City Council (HCC) eventually issued a temporary halt on further tree removal, it was too late to
prevent the loss of over 40 trees, including towering ironbarks and grey gums –trees essential to the local ecosystem and the region’s koalas. Despite community outcry, the development, approved over a decade ago, continues under outdated standards. HCC said it is powerless to halt projects approved long before current environmental laws came into effect.
But the loss of trees in the area doesn’t end there. Just a few kilometres away, in Grose Vale, even more, trees are slated for removal this month – this time as part of the controversial Redbank development. Nearly a kilometre of mature native trees along Grose Vale Road, including old gums and ironbarks, are tagged to be cut down to make way for road widening as part of a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) between Redbank developers and Hawkesbury City Council. Council defended the removal: “The Regional Panel, in its deliberations, concluded that the proposal would not have a significant impact on any threatened species, populations, or
communities listed under the Biodiversity Conservation Act. The loss of trees at this site would be addressed holistically in the proposed tree planting schedule, which includes 1,049 replacement trees across the Southern Valley Precinct.”
This planned tree removal, slated for this month, has sparked outrage from local residents, also because the trees being cleared are not located on Redbank’s side of the development. Instead, they sit on the opposite side of the road, just metres from established homes not associated with the Redbank project.
The residents’ depth of feeling was evident in the hundreds of social media comments expressing concerns about tree removal.
Julie Power captured the sentiment of many, writing, “Disgusting they will move the new road to where the trees are destroyed. Redbank is killing the Hawkesbury area. When the birds vanish, remember the developers always win.”
Abigail Ball expressed her disbelief, challenging the logic behind the
Neighbour Eric Findlay says the tree removal is devastating for local wildlife
The Tawny Frogmouths nesting just weeks before their tree was cut down
decision: “What an absolute disgrace! Anyone who thinks planting new trees as a replacement for mature trees is any kind of compensation needs to take a long hard look at themselves. Maybe people just need to learn to drive with trees adjacent to the road?”
Judy Hitchcock added, “When will this horror stop? I just can’t fathom our governments, be they local or state. On the one hand, they bang on incessantly about the need to protect our canopy trees and our native wildlife, and with the other, they sign the death warrants of our animals through development.”
Doug Wiggins shared concerns about wildlife in the broader region: “In nearby Glossodia, clearing has all but eliminated satin bower birds, Spotted Pardalotes, blue wrens, fantails, silver eyes, other finches, wattle birds, and Regent/blue-faced honeyeaters.”
Maree Holton summed up the general sentiment: “It’s just devastating what is happening to our environment, it’s getting worse! Our wildlife is continually suffering, and unfortunately, I can’t see anything changing because governments and councils don’t care.”
As more trees are marked for removal, concerns are growing over the broader impact on the region’s biodiversity. The now-exposed earth at Hermitage Road already threatens to pollute Blue Gum Creek with sediment, where platypus were confirmed in a University of Western Sydney study last year. Koalas had also been seen in many of the cleared trees, and one was heard bellowing just metres away over several days last weekend.
Despite promises by all levels of government to protect wildlife habitat and native bushland, the story on the ground tells a different tale. Bit by bit, communities like the Hawkesbury are losing irreplaceable natural resources as developments proceed unchecked. Planning laws, riddled with loopholes, provide developers with legal means to clear land for profit. Environmental regulations are often so weak or malleable that even zoning laws designed to protect wildlife are easily bypassed.
The NSW Biodiversity Conserva-
tion Act 2016, intended to safeguard habitats, is often criticised for failing to provide meaningful protection. While the Act requires biodiversity assessments for developments, these assessments are funded by developers, raising concerns about bias. In many cases, habitat value can be downgraded, allowing projects to proceed in areas once deemed ecologically significant.
In the case of Grose Vale and Kurrajong, the result is clear: vital wildlife corridors, essential for the survival of species like koalas, platypus, and endangered birds, are being systematically wiped out, all under the guise of legal development. As a result, the natural landscape of the Hawkesbury is being reshaped – permanently.
One resident summed up the situation: “Every tree that’s cut down is a step closer to losing what makes this place special. We’re being told there’s nothing that can be done, but it doesn’t feel right. How can something like this keep happening?”
Trees marked for removal on Grose Vale Road
More trees marked for removal on Grose Vale Road
Habitat clearing at 150 Hermitage Road.
Rescue The Future
By Kate Hughes, PhD2
In the last 100 years, humans created many substances that caused pollution on a global scale. Think DDT and other persistent pesticides, or industrial chemicals like PCBs, and wastes like dioxins, which are among the most toxic of man-made substances. More recently, PFAS has emerged as a pollutant, including here in the Hawkesbury where groundwater is contaminated with fire retardants migrating from RAAF Base Richmond. But the Base is not the only source of PFAS. Fabrics and floor coverings, potting mix, outdoor gear, cosmetics and pizza boxes are among many everyday products that contain some of the thousands of types of PFAS. According to the US EPA, there are 15,000 classes of PFAS but not much is known about the health hazards that most of them might present.
So is this lack of data a problem for the community? Yes it is, but toxicity is not the only issue. We also have to understand how we get exposed and whether there is enough exposure to affect our health.
Recently. I attended two scientific conferences where PFAS was front and centre of many of the presentations. PFAS origins, PFAS chemistry, sources of PFAS pollution, PFAS investigation, PFAS risks to health, PFAS risk to wildlife and PFAS clean up. What stood out was the divergence of expert opinions about risks to health. One leading Australian regulator stated that the risk was minimal when compared with others, while an American toxicologist de-
When experts disagree about PFAS risks to health, what can we do to protect ourselves?
scribed PFAS as multi-system toxicants that can affect a range of organs and systems in the body. Impacts on health accepted in many jurisdictions include cardiovascular problems, reduced birth weight, decreased response to vaccines, endocrine and immune system disruption, and liver and kidney toxicity.
Other talks confirmed in my mind that despite assurances to the contrary, there are serious health risks linked to exposure to PFAS. The critical thing is the amount of exposure needed to cause damage. Again, as with the PFAS toxicity, experts differ in their opinions as do regulators. The variation in drinking water standards in different countries is a good example. The lack of agreement about toxicity and exposure is what is most troubling because risks are calculated using these two parameters. As risk assessors put it: risk = hazard plus exposure.
So while the experts wrestle with the data and hopefully come up with practical recommendations to governments about minimising exposure to PFAS and cleaning up groundwater pollution, what can individuals do to protect their
health? Given the many sources of PFAS, we are at a point where exposure happens just by being alive. So what to do? Recognising the many sources of PFAS is a start, and then taking action personally to avoid exposure where possible. The links below provide reader-friendly information that can help you understand more about PFAS, how
exposure happens and what you can do about it.
https://greensciencepolicy.org/ourwork/pfas/ https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/ news/pfas-food-efsa-assesses-risksand-sets-tolerable-intake https://www.facebook.com/ groups/889510957925428/
PFAS in the Hawkesbury: Unseen, Unchecked, Unstoppable
In a significant policy shift, the NSW government announced in September that it will help all water providers begin testing the state’s drinking water for dangerous “forever chemicals” known as PFAS – compounds linked to cancer and other serious health risks. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the results of these upcoming investigations, officials continue to assure the public that drinking water for Sydney and the Blue Mountains remains safe.
This sudden and overdue reversal follows a Sydney Morning Herald investigation that uncovered PFAS levels exceeding safety guidelines by more than 50 times in a Blue Mountains dam. While testing is crucial, real progress requires Australia to lower its allowable PFAS levels, which remain 140 times higher than in the U.S., despite government claims of water safety.
PFAS contamination is a ticking time bomb, and the Hawkesbury is at the heart of the crisis. Once used in firefighting foams at the Richmond RAAF base, these deadly chemicals have polluted our land, water, animals, and plants for decades. While the announcement to test drinking water is welcome, experts say the government needs to do more to protect people from these deadly chemicals.
In the first of this five-part series, the Hawkesbury Post investigates the full scope of the PFAS threat, exposing the dangers and the ongoing neglect that leaves our community at risk.
Part One: PFAS in the Hawkesbury: Unseen, Unchecked, Unstoppable
In April, Sydney Water quietly published a report revealing it had been testing drinking water across the Sydney basin for a group of toxic chemicals known as PFAS. Alarming elevated concentrations were found in North Richmond and the Blue Mountains. Following further emergency tests, WaterNSW shut down Medlow Dam as a water source in August after discovering elevated levels of PFAS. Fresh independent testing by Dr Ian Wright following this found PFAS concentrations at 3.7 micrograms per litre, which is more than 50 times higher than NSW environmental guidelines. The dangerous chemicals were detected in Adams Creek, which feeds into the dam, marking the latest in a growing series of alerts about these life-threatening chemicals in the region.
Richmond is a key area for PFAS contamination – synthetic chemicals dubbed “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down naturally. These substances, often linked to cancer, have been used in everything from firefighting foams to household products like Teflon and activewear. At least one source of Richmond’s contamination is the RAAF base, which used firefighting foams for decades.
Five class-action lawsuits against the Department of Defence awarded $367 million to more than 30,000 Australians across 11 contaminated sites. Yet, this only scratches the surface of the PFAS problem, and Governments are rightly scared, because these relatively small payouts are only the tip of the iceberg. In the United States, over 15,000 lawsuits have been filed, many targeting governments, as the full scope of PFAS contamination comes to light. Already, tens of billions of dollars have been paid out.
Government Inaction on PFAS
Despite the mounting evidence, Australian authorities have been slow to respond. “The government is doing very little to slow the increasing contamination in highly exposed and new areas, which is impacting our precious waterways and land”, LaTrobe Valley PFAS advocate Tracey Anton says.” Once contaminated, PFAS is there forever. Government must work harder to protect uncontaminated farmland.”
Richmond is no exception. Elevated PFAS levels were detected along the banks of the Hawkesbury River at Cornwallis Road, which sits to the north of the RAAF base. But fears are that the chemicals’ reach around Richmond and Windsor is far wider than reported, with recent flooding accelerating the spread of the chemicals into agricultural land and waterways, including North Richmond.
“It’s not just a human impact. There are ecosystems out there that you would want to be protected as well. Let’s say you have a prawn that lives in the sediment of water. That’s how we might be exposed,” UNSW Professor Denis O’Connell, a water engineer, told the Hawkesbury Post.
The Richmond Connection
The presence of PFAS in North Richmond is likely linked to the Hawkesbury River, which is tidal up to the Grose River tributary. PFAS runoff from the nearby RAAF base flows into the river below Richmond and, according to Dr. Wright, is drawn back up into the North Richmond water supply.
“PFAS-contaminated water has run off into the river below Richmond from the RAAF base, but it has come back up the river and been drawn up by Sydney Water into the North Richmond plant,” he told the Hawkesbury Post.
Also, treated sewage – from the Hawkesbury City Council (HCC) plant
– is pumped back into the river in its tidal section. So this means the North Richmond water plant picks up water containing PFAS that has run off from the RAAF side of the river, as well as from the recycled – and PFAS untested water – discharged from the HCC sewerage plant, he explained.
Treated sewage from the HCC plant, which is pumped back into the river, has not been tested for PFAS, an HCC spokesperson confirmed. “Council is required to undertake testing of its effluent in order to comply with its Environmental Protection Licenses; PFAS is not a pollutant which Council is required to monitor and report on, and no testing for PFAS occurs at any of the sewage treatment plants,” an HCC spokesperson told the Hawkesbury Post.
This treatment of PFAS as a secretive political hot potato has been backed up by the Hawkesbury Post’s ongoing investigation, showing how dozens of federal and state government departments and statutory bodies have some responsibility. These include all state health, agriculture, and environment departments as well as Defence, Infrastructure, and Air Services Australia at the federal level. Yet the buck appears to stop nowhere. Dr Wright says that until now, the EPA has been negligent in not conducting widespread testing in the Hawkesbury and that testing in September this year by his team in the Blue Mountains showed how far contamination can spread.
Are We Really Safe?
The National Health and Medical Research Council’s recent review of PFAS concluded that there is “limited or no evidence” linking the chemicals to human disease. This contradicts findings from the United States and the World Health Organisation, which both state that PFAS causes cancer and that no exposure level is safe.
Australia’s allowable levels of PFOA, a key PFAS chemical, are 140 times higher than those permitted in the US, despite assurances from political leaders that our water supply is safe.
Former Hawkesbury cattle farmer Alastair McLaren, a victim of PFAS poisoning, described the government’s approach as gaslighting. “When we asked tough questions, we were told there was no problem,” McLaren told the Post. He and his family missed out on compensation because they leased rather than owned their land, and no government assistance is available for PFAS victims.
“When we first started having consultations with Defence in 2018 they segregated anybody that asked some harder questions. When certain issues came up they said, no that’s the Health Department. We went to Health who said no, that’s NSW Environmental Protection Authority, they said no – because it’s agriculture-related – that’s the Department of Primary Industry. The DPI said no, that’s Health. And so it went on.” “That’s what half of our case is, the gas lighting. There is no problem, they told us, there’s no fucking problem.”
McLaren’s wife, Kellie, revealed that their entire family has PFAS blood levels in the 95th percentile after consuming beef from Richmond for just three years. The McLarens have since moved out of the Hawkesbury.
Australia Continues to Ignore the Science
PFAS poisons drinking water, waterways, groundwater, crops, and animals, yet no government offers free blood testing. While the US and EU enforce strict PFAS regulations, Australia lags behind. In April 2024, the US introduced its first enforceable drinking water standard to protect 100 million people and prevent thousands of deaths. Despite a draft PFAS management plan being released in 2022, Australia has yet to finalise it.
Experts remain doubtful it will meet the necessary standards. “I have no comfort that Sydney Water says that PFAS levels meet Australian standards when we all know that the acceptable levels in the US are far lower, “Dr Wright says.
Local Hawkesbury councillors are frustrated that governments are not properly briefing them. “On June 10, 2024 (for the second time this year) I requested we have a Councillor briefing on the status of PFAS-related chemicals being present in drinking water at North Richmond,” HCC Cr Mary Lyons-Buckett told the Post. “HCC General Manager Liz Richardson said she would request that of Sydney Water and the Department of Defence. But to date, we have not heard a response about whether that would be occurring.” Like other councillors who spoke to the Post, Lyons-Buckett noted that “native wildlife, particularly the platypus, are also vulnerable to these classes of chemicals.”
A Long-Awaited Reckoning?
The announcement to test NSW drinking water provides a glimmer of hope. Additionally, Senator Lidia Thorpe is leading the push for a new Senate inquiry into PFAS contamination. This could finally break the wall of silence surrounding the crisis and bring justice to affected communities.
Windsor Men Charged with Beastiality
Sex Crimes Squad detectives charge two Windsor men for allegedly committing and filming bestiality on farm animals.
On 26 September, Detectives from the NSW Police Sex Crimes Squad arrested two Windsor men, aged 38 and 42, in connection with allegations of bestiality and child abuse material. The men were charged following an investigation led by Strike Force Trawl-
er, which uncovered graphic content allegedly involving farm animals and secret footage of a child.
The arrests were made early in the morning, after a search warrant was executed at a Windsor property. Police seized multiple electronic devices, reportedly containing bestiality material and videos filmed without the child’s knowledge. Two dogs were also removed from the property and placed in the
care of the RSPCA.
The 38-year-old man has been charged with two counts of bestiality and using a carriage service to access child abuse material. The 42-year-old faces charges of peeping or prying and possession of bestiality material.
Both men appeared at Penrith Local
Court yesterday. The younger man was refused bail, while the older man was granted conditional bail to return to court on November 22.
Strike Force Trawler’s investigation continues, and police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.
Young Men Injured in Separate Horror Crashes
Two men in their 20s were rushed to Westmead Hospital with multiple in juries after two separate single-ve hicle accidents in the Hawkesbury on the same night. The accidents occurred within half an hour of each other early on September 9.
Emergency services were confronted with distressing scenes at both crash sites, as shown in photos shared by Glos sodia Rural Fire Service (RFS). Despite the severity of the incidents, both drivers were responsive when paramedics arrived.
The first accident took place just before 2 am at the intersection of Free mans Reach and Argyle Reach roads. A spokesperson for NSW Ambulance told the Hawkesbury Post that emergency services assessed the male driver aged in his 20’s, who was transported to West mead Hospital with multiple injuries. No other vehicles were involved.
Half an hour later, at around 2:30 am, emergency crews responded to another crash in North Richmond on Kurmond Road. The second male driver, also in his 20s, was treated for serious injuries and transported to Westmead by road. Again no other vehicles were involved in the accident. Glossodia RFS, which attended both incidents, warned drivers to remain cautious, especially during the early hours of the morning.
“Crews were faced with horrific scenes,” Glossodia RFS said in a state ment on social media. “Thankfully, both drivers were responsive and treated by paramedics before being transported to hospital. This is a massive reminder to please slow down and, if you’re feeling tired, pull over and rest. Both drivers were very lucky, as this could have been much worse.”
Council Buries Colonial Drain, Disappointing Locals
The historic colonial brick barrel drain unearthed by a sinkhole in Windsor will remain buried, Hawkesbury City Council (HCC) has confirmed, leaving some residents disappointed that a significant piece of the area’s colonial past won’t be publicly visible. The sinkhole, which exposed the drain on The Terrace in June, had sparked hopes that the structure could be preserved under a seethrough cover for the community to appreciate.
Instead, Council has backfilled the site, citing safety and compliance concerns. Residents had contacted the Hawkesbury Post asking why the drain wasn’t left exposed as a permanent reminder of the town’s heritage, but Council has opted for a less public approach.
“The brick barrel drain is located directly beneath the surface of The Terrace roadway,” a Council spokesperson said. “Design standards require road surfaces and access pits to be constructed using sturdy and durable materials like concrete to meet industry standards. It would also be unsafe to encourage the community to stand on the road surface in attempts to visually inspect the drain.”
While the drain has been restored and protected below the surface, the Council’s decision to conceal it has dampened hopes for a more accessible heritage display. Council says the historic structure was backfilled with appropriate materials before the road and footpath were replaced and emphasised that concrete wasn’t poured direct-
ly onto the drain. However, the final result leaves the site indistinguishable from any other stretch of road.
The Council pointed to a reconstructed brick barrel drain on dislay at the Hawkesbury Regional Museum for residents and visitors wanting to glimpse Windsor’s colonial drainage system. This is the closest the public will get to viewing a drain similar to the once-exposed system. However, some
residents were disappointed with Council’s solution, pointing to the glass floor at Customs House in Sydney as an ideal way to display what is underground. HCC had previously said it worked with heritage experts after the sinkhole appeared in June, but the ultimate decision to bury the site has left some questioning the depth of Council’s commitment to making Windsor’s past visible. The sinkhole’s emergence
initially drew attention to the broader issue of riverbank damage caused by years of flooding and neglect, but despite some restoration efforts, much of Windsor’s heritage remains buried. Windsor’s colonial heritage was also lost during the construction of the new Windsor Bridge, including the demolition of the Old Windsor Bridge built in 1874 and the debasement of Thompson Square.
Glass floors are used to exhibit underground artifacts across the world.
Lower Portland Ferry Off Council's Books
The Lower Portland Ferry has officially transitioned to state government control, marking the end of years of financial strain and operational challenges for the Hawkesbury City Council (HCC) and The Hills Shire Council. The ferry, which serves as a vital transport link across the Hawkesbury River, will now be managed by Transport for NSW, bringing it in line with other ferries in the region.
The transfer comes after a long commuter frustration, with months of delays and mismanagement preventing timely maintenance and leaving the ferry out of service, forcing residents and emergency services to find alternate routes. The Councils, which had been jointly funding the ferry, struggled to manage its operations. In April 2024, the NSW Government intervened, following pressure from both councils for a handover.
The financial impact on Hawkesbury City Council has been significant. With operational costs for the ferry projected to reach $538,000 for the 2024 financial year alone, the council is now relieved of this burden. A spokesperson for HCC said that the transition is expected to save the council at least $5.9 million over the next decade.
“If the ferry had not been transferred to Transport for NSW, the cost to operate it this year would have been over half a million dollars. As the ferry is no longer a council asset, we won’t be providing any funding to its operations,” the spokesperson said.
This transfer ends a turbulent chapter in the ferry’s management. Emails
between HCC and ferry operator Tono Group in mid-2023 revealed a serious oversight: the council had not arranged a new contract or made plans for necessary maintenance before the ferry’s contract expiration in August. This
mismanagement led to a scramble to negotiate terms, with the ferry service nearly being suspended.
Despite offers from Transport for NSW to provide a replacement ferry during the maintenance period, the
council failed to act, leaving residents and emergency services without a ferry service at a critical time.
Transport for NSW has now consolidated all ferry operations
on the Hawkesbury River. Photo credit Perspectives by Peter Haynes
The transfer of control of the Lower Portland Ferry comes after a long period of commuter frustration.
Thousands Struggling with Drug and Alcohol Addiction
More than 2,000 people in the Nepean Blue Mountains region sought help for alcohol and drug issues last year, according to Wentworth Healthcare. As substance abuse continues to impact the area, a new community-based service has opened in the Hawkesbury to provide much-needed support.
WHOS Hawkesbury, located in Windsor, offers free day treatment for those living with alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems. Funded by the Federal Government’s Community Health and Hospitals Program, the centre is the latest effort to address rising concerns over the lack of accessible services for residents seeking help with addiction.
Alcohol remains the leading issue, accounting for over a quarter of those treated in the region, according to Wentworth Healthcare’s 2023 Needs Assessment.
WHOS Hawkesbury’s opening is expected to provide a lifeline for locals struggling to find affordable care close to home.
“Anyone can have issues with substance dependence, it doesn’t discriminate,” Wentworth Healthcare CEO Lizz Reay said. “In the Hawkesbury, there has been a lack of permanent and accessible services offering affordable community-based support.” She said many people can’t commit to residential rehabilitation due to family or work responsibilities, which means they’ve been left without options.”
The new service aims to change that by offering a range of treatment options, including counselling, group therapy, case management, and relapse prevention, all within the local community. Clients can remain close to their fami-
lies, friends, and healthcare providers throughout their recovery, a model that has been widely advocated for by local health stakeholders.
WHOS Hawkesbury also provides outreach services, working closely with Aboriginal community organisations to ensure culturally appropriate care is available. The service is designed to be flexible, providing tailored support for each individual’s needs.
Local Federal MP Susan Templeman praised the opening of the service, which she said had been long overdue. “I’m proud that the Federal Government is supporting this service, which has been long-needed in Hawkesbury. I congrat-
ulate Wentworth Healthcare for finding a model designed to suit local needs and give people the ability to continue living in their community as they tackle their addiction,” she said.
For many in the region, the opening of WHOS Hawkesbury will provide a vital step toward reducing the strain on hospitals and ensuring that people have access to the help they need without having to travel or uproot their lives.
“Residential rehab is important, but it’s not always suitable for everyone,” Reay added. “Community-based support allows people to get well where they live, surrounded by their support networks.”
WHOS Executive Director Garth Pop-
ple hopes the new service will have a lasting impact. “ We are looking forward to further develop relationships with a variety of service partners, such as Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District and the local Aboriginal community, as we collectively work towards the common goal of reducing substance use related harm in the Hawkesbury”,he said.
The centre is open Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 2 Forbes Street, Windsor. People can self-refer, walk in, or be referred by a GP or specialist. For more information or to book an appointment, visit www.nbmphn.com.au/WHOSHawkesbury or call 4509 9110.
Hawkesbury To Lead the Way in Australia’s Farming Future
Western Sydney University has secured a $16.7 million federal government grant to develop an Agri Tech Precinct at its Hawkesbury campus. The precinct, previously announced, aims to revolutionise Australian agricultural research and innovation, with construction slated to begin in April 2025.
Spanning 50 hectares, the new facility will serve as a hub for advanced research, education, and industry collaboration. Vice-Chancellor George Williams said the project’s goal is to establish Australia as a global leader in sustainable and resilient food systems, addressing the increasing demand for smarter agricultural solutions.
The total cost of the project is expected to reach $30 million, with funding split between the federal government and the university. The Albanese government said the funding contribution fulfills an election promise under the Priority Community Infrastructure Program, with 150 jobs expected during the construction phase and up to 240 additional roles created once the precinct is operational. Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said agriculture accounts for 13% of Australia’s export economy and 55% of its land mass and the investment would help to secure its competitive future. “With growing demand for sustainable, resilient food systems, the Agri Tech Precinct will help keep Australia at the forefront of innovation in the agriculture sector,” she said.
Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman highlighted the Hawkesbury region’s agricultural heritage and the precinct’s role in integrating modern
technology with traditional farming practices.
“This is an important investment in the WSU Richmond campus.The Hawkesbury is the heart of peri-urban farming in NSW, with a rich tradition in food production and land management, and this initiative opens up opportunities for 21st Century agri-tech,” Templeman said.
“Not only will the Agri Tech Precinct play a growing role in the future of agri-
culture in Australia, but it will create hundreds of exciting new jobs plus new higher education opportunities in the Hawkesbury and Western Sydney,” she said. Williams praised the campus’s long standing role in agricultural education: “Our Hawkesbury campus has a long history of agricultural education and cutting-edge research. We are delighted this facility continues that proud tradition, cementing Western Sydney’s position
as a world-leading hub for agricultural research and innovation.”
In addition to benefiting students and researchers, Williams noted that the precinct’s proximity to Badgerys Creek Airport could enhance export opportunities for fresh produce, strengthening ties with global markets.
Stage 1 of the project is expected to open to students by late 2025, with Stage 2 to follow.
Community Rallies After Vandals Trash Hawkesbury Radio
Unknown perpetrators vandalised Hawkesbury Radio, causing extensive damage to its critical broadcasting equipment. The incident occurred between Monday evening, September 2, after 6 pm, and the early hours of Tuesday, September 3, before 5 am, leaving much of the equipment beyond repair. When volunteers arrived Tuesday morning, they were devastated to find the station in ruins, halting regular programming.
President of Hawkesbury Radio, Mark Ledden, said he was shocked by the senseless destruction. “I am appalled by this action and at a loss for words as to why someone would want to destroy a community charity-based radio station. Hawkesbury Radio has been around for over 40 years, and with so many people in the community having volunteered their time, this act will affect not just our current volunteers and members but also those who have worked here in the past.”
Others, mainly volunteers, were also in disbelief. Hawkesbury Radio has long been a cherished institution, providing an outlet for community expression, entertainment, and public service for over four decades. For many volunteers, the station is more than just a place to work; it’s a second home, built on camaraderie and shared passion for radio.
In the wake of the attack, the outpouring of support from local residents and businesses has been remarkable. Well-wishers have flooded in, with many offering donations to replace the damaged equipment, while others volunteered to help clean up the station.
**Heartfelt Thanks to All**
Thank you to the unemployed, veterans, retirees, the elderly, those who have been unjustly punished, the little old ladies, and those who have waited years for justice through the DA process. Thank you to the farmers, tradies, vegetable growers—thank you to all of Hawkesbury.
From the bottom of my heart, I sincerely thank you for trusting me with your votes and allowing me to represent you in this term.
Another volunteer, Leon Watson, also acknowledged the community support; “We will bounce back, but in the back of my mind, I’m still in disbelief over what happened.”
Station member and volunteer, Alex Aliheim said he would like to “personally thank every single hard working volunteer of Hawkesbury radio for their efforts in the clean up and getting us back on the air to keep servicing the best community in NSW the Hawkesbury.”
The station’s technical team is working to assess the damage and find solutions to get Hawkesbury Radio back on air as soon as possible. While regular programming remains disrupted, the station is still streaming online through iHeart Radio and its official website, www.hawkesbury.radio, allowing listeners to continue engaging with their favourite shows and music.
Police are urging anyone with information to contact Windsor Police Station (02) 4587 4099.
I would also like to extend a big thank you to those who didn’t vote for me, but still exercised their right to participate in the election. Many of you traveled from near and far to cast your vote, and I deeply appreciate your commitment thank you.
As a returning councillor with even more votes than last time, and without receiving any preference votes, it’s clear that my role as a vocal advocate—highlighting the council's financial failures, mismanagement, arrogance, and integrity issues—has resonated with the community. I will continue to hold management accountable, as well as councillors who fail in their duties, those who put personal issues ahead of the ratepayers, and anyone neglecting their responsibility to serve the voters and ratepayers. I don’t have a second to lose to fulfill my promise to save the 70K residents, the ratepayers and stop this council wasting money, your cash your power bill, school fees and especially medicine please support me and keep trusting me.
Thank you, Eddie Dogramachi - The Small Business Party
Hawkesbury Radio had extensive damage to its critical broadcasting equipment by vandals
Why Remembrance Day Still Matters to a New Generation
Richmond Park will fall into a reverent hush as the clock strikes 11 on Monday, November 11, 2024. The Richmond RSL Sub-branch will lead a Remembrance Day service, inviting the community to honour those who have served and sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy today. But beyond the solemn wreath-laying at the Richmond War Memorial, this day represents something more profound - a chance to connect the past with the future and remind younger generations why this tradition remains so vital.
For many young people, Remembrance Day may seem like an event disconnected from their daily lives. After all, the wars it commemorates feel like ancient history. However, this day is more than just a moment of silence; it’s a bridge between the past and present, a reflection on how peace, often taken for granted, has been hard-won.
The tradition of observing a moment of silence at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month began after World War I, the so-called “War To End All Wars.” It’s a time when entire nations pause to reflect on the immense loss of life, not just from that conflict, but from all wars. More than 60,000 Australians died during World War I, and the ripple effect of that loss continues to shape families and communities.
But how does this history resonate with younger generations? Today’s young people may not feel the immediate impact of global conflicts, but they live in a world shaped by them. The soldiers, airmen, and sailors whose service we
remember on this day fought for ideals that still resonate—freedom, fairness, and unity. In many ways, these values are even more relevant in today’s rapidly changing world.
The Richmond RSL Sub-branch invites all members of the community, young and old, to the 2024 Remembrance Day service. As they gather at Richmond War Memorial, local school students will stand alongside veterans and military personnel, laying wreaths to commemorate those who came before them. It’s a powerful visual reminder that, even though past wars may seem far removed, the legacy of service and sacrifice lives on.
Involving schools and younger community members is part of a broader effort to ensure the importance of Remembrance Day continues to resonate.
The Richmond RSL Sub-Branch hopes that by bringing together people of all ages, younger generations will see the relevance of reflecting on peace and the price paid for it.
“Remembrance Day is an opportunity for young people to connect with history in a meaningful way,” a spokesperson for the Sub-branch said. “It’s not just about looking back, but about understanding how the past shapes our present and future. The peace we have today was earned through great sacrifice.”
So, as Remembrance Day approaches, it’s worth pausing to consider why we observe this tradition. It’s not just for the older generations who remember the wars firsthand but for young people whose future is being built on the foundation of those sacrifices. This November 11, Richmond will once again honour
that legacy—and invite a new generation to carry it forward. Details of the Remembrance Day Service:
- Location: Richmond War Memorial,
Richmond Park - Time: 10:55am, Monday, November 11, 2024 (assemble by 10:40am)
- Covered seating available for veterans and older community members.
Securing a Sustainable, Long Term Future for Aged Care
In my early years as the Member for Macquarie in opposition, I witnessed our aged care system descend into a crisis of neglect. Since Labor came to government, we have made it a priority to reform the sector so ageing Australians receive the dignity and quality of care they deserve.
We’ve done this by lifting wages in the sector, putting nurses back into nursing homes, giving carers more time to spend with residents, offering fee-free TAFE so more people work in aged care, and improving transparency and accountability.
These changes have pulled aged care out of crisis and brought dignity, respect, and quality care back to the sector. But now we’re working to secure a long term and sustainable future for our aged care system.
There are two major challenges we face in aged care.
In the next 40 years, the number of Australians aged over 65 is expected to more than double, with those aged over 85 to more than triple. The current residential aged care system simply does not have enough beds to accommodate this ageing population.
At the same time, I know from speaking with older people about the support they need, most of them will tell me: I just want to stay in my own home.
But they recognise they simply can’t do it alone.
The Albanese Labor Government has listened to that message. Along with improving the funding, and viability of residential aged care, so providers will invest in building more rooms, we’re investing $4.3 billion in a new system of home care that will help Australians remain independent, in their home and their community for longer.
We’ve worked hard to achieve bipartisanship on these changes so there is certainty for older people, aged care providers, and aged care workers.
Starting from 1 July 2025, Support at Home will allow quicker access to support from the time you’re assessed, and provide more tailored support, with 8 levels of care. The top level will provide around $78,000 a year.
There will also be support for home modifications, with up to $15,000 to make homes safer.
Plus faster access to assistive technology, like walkers and wheelchairs, including a new equipment loan scheme.
Support at Home participants will also have expanded access to get back on their feet after an illness or injury, with a 12 week program that works with a team of allied health and other professionals.
And there’s one other new support –palliative care. According to the Productivity Commission, up to 70 per cent of Australians would prefer to die in the comfort of their own home, but fewer than 10 per cent actually do. Support at Home participants will be eligible for up to $25,000 in additional support to spend their final 3 months at home, so they can be surrounded by loved ones in an environment they cherish, instead of rushing precious moments into hospital visiting hours.
For people already on a MyAgedCare package there won’t be any additional costs, and for new entrants, the govern-
ment will pay 100 percent of clinical care services, with individuals making some contributions to the help they receive around independence (e.g. help with showering, getting dressed or taking medications) and everyday living (e.g. cleaning, gardening, shopping or meal preparation).
How much someone contributes will be based on the Age Pension means test and highly dependent on their personal circumstances, from the level of support they are assessed to need, to their combination of income and assets.
If you are eligible for contributions, once you begin to access aged care support, whether it’s at home or in a residential setting, there will be a lifetime cap of $130,000.
These reforms are the next step to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into aged care. The changes will mean Australians have respect and dignity as they age – get to stay in their own home for much longer.
Susan Templeman Opinion
ROBYN
PRESTON
- STATE MEMBER FOR HAWKESBURY
An Unsustainable Healthcare System
With increased media coverage on patient wait times at Blacktown Hospital’s Emergency Department and wards in Liverpool Hospital having no access to running hot water, I am concerned to see what the implications of the Minns Labor Government’s mismanagement of NSW Health will have on Hawkesbury Hospital.
As we know, Hawkesbury Hospital changed hands from St John of God Healthcare on 1 July this year, to the NSW Government. The Liberal/National Government believes that everyone should have access to quality healthcare when they need it, but disappointingly, after two years of Labor’s cuts to the health budget, people in NSW are struggling with a health system that is stretched and going backwards. What does this mean for Hawkesbury Hospital’s Emergency Department, hospital staff and paramedics?
It’s hard to ignore the correlations
contributing to the record high emergency department attendances. For those who were once able to visit their regular, family GP through bulk billing, this is yet another expense to bear. Will people then take it upon themselves to wait until it may be too late and end up in the emergency department, further contributing to a strained system or even using the emergency department as their proxy GP?
Instead of fighting nurses, the Minns Labor Government should be focused on delivering better health outcomes for the people of NSW.
Given that just four years ago, the world experienced a pandemic, why isn’t the Government focused on ensuring our healthcare system is robust and won’t crumble under inflicted pressures. We should be asking the uncomfortable questions now, so that we can produce solutions for the future. Planning to prepare, could see NSW better off, if another pandemic was to occur in our lifetime.
How can we help ourselves, if the Minns Labor Government won’t help us?
In my opinion, staying informed and educated on current topics can create a knowledge base worthy of change. Do you have a problem with the NSW Health system, then I’d like to know. You can reach out to my office on (02) 4578 0300 or email hawkesbury@parliament. nsw.gov.au
Your voice and your opinion matters to me. You have a right to be heard by the Premier and his Ministers.
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
I’m here to help you!
ROBYN PRESTON MP Member for Hawkesbury
Robyn Preston
Opinion
Local Youth To Bring ‘Aladdin’ to Life in October
Fantasia Showstoppers, a musical theatre company based in the Hawkesbury, is preparing for its latest youth production, Aladdin. The show will run for two weekends in October at the Richmond School of Arts, showcasing local talent and drawing performers from across Western Sydney and beyond.
Founded in 2020 by David Catterall, Fantasia provides performance opportunities for youth aged 18 and under. Since its inception, the company has staged a series of popular Disney musicals, including The Lion King, Frozen, and Shrek. This year’s Aladdin cast includes 37 performers, with 19 hailing from the Hawkesbury and others travelling from as far as Chatswood, Mt Annan, and the Blue Mountains. “We’ve worked hard to create a welcoming environment for newcomers while retaining our regulars,” David said. In addition to local productions, Fantasia recently returned from a trip to Europe, where 16 of its performers participated in workshops with West End actors in London and at Disneyland’s Imagination Campus in Paris. Among the cast for Aladdin are several participants from that trip, including Alana Kenn, who plays Genie and has been involved in all of Fantasia’s productions since 2021, and Cameron Clarke, who stars as Jafar and recently performed in Shrek the Musical with his school.
Newcomers to the company include Zion Lallana, who will play Aladdin in his first-ever musical, and Hunter Phippen, debuting as the Sultan. Ebony Penman, who plays Jasmine, is also performing with Fantasia for the first time.
Fantasia’s productions have gained recognition throughout Sydney, and the company’s reputation continues to grow. Each year, they participate in the Junior Theater Festival in Newcastle, where their performers can audition for the Aussie All-Stars program. Ten of Fantasia’s youth have made it into the All-Stars, which offers a chance to perform on Broadway and at Disneyland in the U.S.
Reflecting on the company’s growth since its inception, David described its origin during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We started in 2020 when we couldn’t perform live music, so we created something new, a virtual Christmas concert that evolved into stage productions once restrictions eased.” Since then, Fantasia has become a staple for young performers in the Hawkesbury, offering them a chance to develop their skills and take part in high-quality productions.
With its talented cast and proven track record, Aladdin is set to be another exciting showcase for local youth, continuing Fantasia’s mission to nurture young performers and bring high-quality productions to the community.
Show Details:
Dates: October 4-12, 2024
Location: Richmond School of Arts, 26 W Market St, Richmond, NSW 2753
Ticket Prices: Adults – $35 Children/Concession – $25
Family (2 adults, 2 children) – $95 Group of 10 – $250
https://www.fantasiashowstoppers. com.au/productions
Ebony Penman as Jasmine, Zion Lallana as Aladdin.
Lifestyle Arndell Anglican College Student Shines in National Art Competition
Arndell Anglican College student Eesha Chand has been named a winner in the prestigious Visual Arts category of Torrens University’s Bright Awards, a national competition recognising the best in young design and creative talent. Her artwork, praised for its “exceptional precision, creativity, and high standard of artistic excellence,” wowed the judges and earned her a $1,000 prize alongside industry recognition.
The Bright Awards, run by Torrens University in partnership with Adobe,
offer students from across Australia and New Zealand the opportunity to showcase their creative talents in fields like architecture, media arts, and fashion design. The competition is open to students in Years 10, 11, and 12, providing them with valuable exposure and feedback from industry experts.
Professor Scott Thompson-Whiteside, Executive Dean of Design and Creative Technology at Torrens University, highlighted the importance of the competition in preparing students for creative careers.
“The Bright Awards give high school students a chance to spread their wings and show off their skills,” he said. “Our goal is to help students become industry-ready, and competitions like these challenge them to push their creative boundaries.”
This year’s competition included six categories: Architecture and Interiors, Digital Technology, Fashion Design, Media Arts and Gaming, Photography, and Visual Arts. Each category winner received $1,000, and schools also benefited from the recognition.
For Eesha, the win is not only a testament to her hard work but also a significant step toward her future in the creative arts. The award also comes with a complimentary Adobe Creative Cloud license, providing her with the tools she needs to continue exploring her artistic passions.
Artwork by Eesha Chand
Lifestyle Hawkesbury School Leavers
As the school term draws to a close, so too do the school days of hundreds of Hawkesbury Year 12 students. Across the region, local high schools celebrated their success with graduation and valedictory ceremonies. We share a selection of the pictures sent to us by schools and parents. Congratulations, Class of 2024. Good luck in your exams— the world is your oyster!
Richond High leavers cutting the Graduation Cake
Amber Sherrard and Jacob James lead out Colo High Year 12 from the school hall for the final time
Lachlan Ward, Korey Owen, Scott Hulme, Jasper Deane, Brody Collins, Seaff Jaradat, Riley Avery
Richmond High Year 12 celebrates their final school day.
Arndell’s Lachlan Ward, Aimee Bawcombe, Rachel Nathakumaran
Lifestyle
A skimpflation meal for the Exxie Cozzie Livs
By Fiona Hamann
You know the economy isn’t great when “cozzie livs” has been crowned the Macquarie dictionary’s word of the year for 2023. For those older than Gen Z, it’s urban slang for “cost of living” (crisis). Another word to enter our vocab that also hints at trying times is “skimpflation”, which is a reduction in the quality or quantity of a product or service while the price remains the same.
While cozzie livs is biting, many of us are seeking ways to stretch our food budgets without sacrificing flavour or excitement. This month, I feature a meal that ticks all the boxes, is vegetarian and is gluten-free (if you use GF flour).
I am showcasing potato, pumpkin, and tinned chickpeas – three affordable ingredients that, with a little culinary magic, can be transformed into a dish that feels far more luxurious than its price tag suggests, thanks to the power of spices and aromatics that you can easily find in your pantry staples (or at The Spice Basket or Hartley’s Supermarket in Richmond.) By incorporating a
mere three spices, these cheap and cheerful vegetables will become golden, crispy flavour bombs.
It still looks like a cheap meal until you add a little colourful bling! To truly take this dish from frugal to fabulous, I’ve paired it with a vibrant beetroot tzatziki, green salad and pita bread. This twist on the classic Greek dip adds a pop of colour to your plate and a zing to your palate. The earthy, sweet beetroot is balanced by tangy yoghurt, orange zest and fresh dill, bringing brightness and a hint of sophistication. You can, of course, buy a supermarket beetroot dip, but once you taste this simple homemade one, you’ll be pleased you didn’t. The result? A meal that looks and tastes like it belongs in a high-end restaurant, but is gentle on your wallet. Eating well doesn’t have to break the bank. With a little creativity, even the most basic ingredients can be transformed into a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds. These Spiced Vegetable Cakes and Fresh Beetroot Tzatziki recipes are adapted from Guy Watson and Jane Baxter’s book, Everyday & Sunday recipes from Riverford Farm.
Spiced Vegetable Cakes
Serves 4 – 6 people
2 potatoes (350g)
400g Butternut Pumpkin (peeled and cut into 1cm pieces)
200g tinned chickpeas (drained)
1 Tb ground Cumin
1 Tb ground Coriander
4Tb vegetable oil
1Tb brown mustard seeds
2 Tb finely chopped coriander
100-150g plain flour, GF flour or chickpea flour
1. Preheat oven to 200 C.
2. Put the whole unpeeled potatoes into a pot of cold water. It’s important they aren’t peeled; otherwise, they can become too wet. Bring to the boil for 15 minutes or until tender, but not soft enough to mash. Drain, cool a bit, then peel and chop into 1cm cubes.
3. Roast the pumpkin in the oven for 20 minutes until soft. Add it to a bowl with the chopped potato, chickpeas, cumin, and coriander, and mix to combine.
4. Heat 1 Tb oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds, stirring until they sizzle and pop. Add them to the vegetable mixture with the coriander leaves and salt and pepper for flavour.
5. Using wet hands, make small burger-style patties. Place them on a plate and refrigerate for 30-40 minutes to get firm.
6. Remove the patties from the fridge and dust both sides with flour. Heat the remaining 3 Tb oil in a pan and cook the patties in batches for about 2 minutes on each side. Be gentle when turning them over. Drain the cooked patties on kitchen roll to remove excess oil before serving.
Beetroot Tzatziki
Serves 4 – 6 people
400g fresh beetroot
250ml Greek Yoghurt
2 French eschallots or 1/2 red onion finely chopped
1 garlic clove (crushed)
Zest of 1 orange
1Tb fresh dill (finely chopped)
1 Tb Chives or Spring onions (finely chopped)
Salt and pepper for flavour
1. Cook the beetroots whole and unpeeled in the oven at 200C for about 25 minutes, until soft. Let them cool a bit, and then peel and grate them on a cheese grater (wear gloves to avoid staining your hands).
2. Put the beetroot in a bowl with all the other ingredients, mix together, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Quiz
1 Which singer was born Robyn Fenty in Saint Michael, Barbados?
2 Which team has won the most Bledisloe Cup titles: Australia or New Zealand?
3 Was the Watchmen comic published by DC or Marvel?
4 Which writer’s books include Guess What? and Ducks Away!?
5 Flowers in the Pavement is the debut album by which Australian hip hop group?
6 Who won the 2020 London Marathon elite women’s race?
7 The mountain bongo is native to which continent?
8 The Celsius and Fahrenheit scales are the same at what temperature?
9 Lily Collins (pictured) plays the title role in which 2020 TV series?
10 What three countries are located on the Scandinavian Peninsula?
Quick Crossword
ACROSS
1 Biking (7)
5 Keepsake (7)
9 Come together (3)
10 Chance (11)
11 Objects of worship (5)
12 Unspoken (6)
15 Keenness (6)
17 US state (7)
18 Merriment (3)
19 Section of a book (7)
20 Water-surrounded land (6)
22 Half conscious state (6)
23 Wildlife (5)
26 Purchase order (11)
27 Help (3)
28 Reading or copying machine (7)
29 Carefree (7)
Wordfind
DOWN
1 Awareness (10)
2 Informal (10)
3 Golf clubs (5)
4 Plaster ingredient (6)
5 Sharpshooter (8)
6 Indian Ocean nation (9)
7 Metal fastener (4)
8 Ornamental quartz (4)
13 Knowledge of words (10)
14 Female servant (10)
16 Exaction (9)
18 Limit (8)
21 Acme (6)
23 Conclusive (5)
24 Weapons (4)
25 Prefix meaning water (4)
The leftover letters will spell out a secret message.
ESPRESSO FRAPPUCCINO FROTH LATTE MACCHIATO MOCHA
Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down.
Crossmath
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.
Edgeword
Place each of the tiles of letters into the blank jigsaw below to create four six-letter words going across and down.
Drop Down
Starting with the seven-letter 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.
be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.
Theme: Coffee
Turf Talk
With Suzanne Trivett James, grandson of the legendary trainer Bart Cummings (who needs no introduction) was ecstatic after the colt’s brilliant win. He praised his team at Godolphin, in particular Darren Beadman, a leading ex-jockey of his time whose presence alone is encouraging let alone his keen knowledge of the industry is second to none. James was quick to note the superb performance of stable mate Traffic Warden whose close second placing handed him the quinella.
Traffic Warden, a 3yo colt by Street Boss also had an impressive Run to the Rose win and again, first up. What is it with Godolphin? Is it something in the water out there
Sport
at Agnes Banks’ world-class training facility? It smacks of a kiss of excellence for these well-bred juveniles but it is simply the combination of brilliant minds who painstakingly work together with a quiet confidence, with determination and a belief in what they can do in order to achieve the “impossible”.
Nothing short of that will do for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.
The Sheikh demands excellence. Team Godolphin spans four continents from their home-based Dubai to Europe, Japan, America and here in Australia at their Agnes Banks facility, nestled in the foothills of the Hawkesbury region.
We watched history unfold in the making at Rosehill Gardens when Broadsiding, a 3yo colt by Too Darn Hot (GB) from the classy mare Speedway (by Street Cry) was resuming from a well-earned spell with four straight wins to his credit, took the unconventional route without having had a lead-up run but had trialled brilliantly to win the 1400m James Squire Golden Rose Group One race. First up. No mean feat for any horse but with the stamina of this amazing horse and his will to win under the guidance of the Godolphin’s Master Trainer, James Cummings, anything is possible.
Let’s not forget the other James who was responsible for this incredible win of Broadsiding. None other than Sydney’s superstar jockey James McDonald who is on the threshold of achieving 100 Group One wins next week at Royal Randwick on Epsom Day. He has (at the time of writing) an incredible 99 wins under his belt. In his praise for Broadsiding’s win, he said he has the mark of a true champion in the making. His comments were superlative
when he remarked: “He’s got way more (ability) than we can ever imagine. Mate, he’s just a cool dude. He’s just a star, the horse. He’s a proper horse”, he added.
The two Godlphin colts will head in different directions with Broadsiding aimed at the $3m Caulfield Guineas while Traffic Warden will be in the mix for the stable’s slot in the upcoming $20m The TAB Everest. How exciting...
Broadsiding a 3yo colt by Too Darn Hot
Sport
Polo Gets Underway With World Class Players
The Hawkesbury region is bustling with activity as the Spring polo season kicks off, welcoming more than 1000 polo ponies and their grooms and riders for a prestigious Hector King, Dudley and Sir Phillip Charley Cups.
The spring tournaments will significantly boost the local economy with hundreds of thousands of dollars pouring in over ten days of competition. Various private and public polo clubs in the area are collaborating to host the tournaments, which will attract top polo talent from across Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and the UK.
The Richmond Lowlands are once again a focal point for the sport, featuring all competition levels ranging from amateur to professional to matches.
The highlights of the season are the Hector King and Dudley Cup tournaments. These events, which include more than twelve 12 - goal teams, are widely regarded as Australia’s largest and most competitive high-level polo competitions.
This season, polo fans will be treated to matches starring a string of elite players. Among them are Ellerston Team’s Shane Finemore, a renowned investment banker and a highly respected figure in the polo community, and Peter Huston Troika, who is also Head of Corporate Legal & Strategy at Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. Other players include Ben Barnham, grandson of media mogul Kerry Packer, as well as worldclass talent Alec White, an ex-Australian Captain who has played across the world, including the UK, Argentina,
the national significance of these Hawkesbury-based events in the polo calendar. Jeremy Bayard, Treasurer of NSW Polo, told the Post: “The record entries for Countess of Dudley Cup mean approximately 1,000 horses arrive in the Hawkesbury for a fortnight of polo.
“With horses come more than 150 people directly employed for their care - all of whom inject thousands into the local economy. The pubs, cafes, hotels/ motels, produce stores, vets and farriers will all benefit from this festival of polo. The final is watched online by thousands around the world, further establishing the Hawkesbury’s reputation as the centre of polo in Australia.”
The Hawkesbury polo tournaments present a colossal organisational challenge. The event’s scale is immense, with almost 40 teams registered, each scheduled for five matches. Adding to the complexity, individual players bring between 6 to 10 horses apiece, and some athletes compete across multiple skill levels. Recent rainfall has further complicated matters, forcing the closure of some fields. Consequently, organisers face the daunting task of revising the entire tournament schedule. This intricate web of logistics, coupled with unpredictable weather, has transformed the event management into a Herculean effort requiring constant adaptation and problem-solving by local company M Polo, Kim McDougal and Adam Mealy.
Tickets are free for the public to get along and enjoy a game or two. Games will be played at the Windsor Polo Club between 26 September and 6 October.
Malaysia, New Zealand, Spain, Dubai, and whose presence is sure to bring the wow factor. Another Australian Captain and Australia’s highest-ranked player
to play this season will be Ruki Ballieu of Eynesbury Polo Club.
The exceptional quality of the players in this seasonal competition highlights
Post and Rail Fencing and Gate Specialists
Visitors and competitors flock to the Richmond Lowlands for top class polo games
Sport
Sports Corner with Hamish Dowling
By Hamish Dowling
Local Sport
As winter sports wrap up, summer sports are making a significant impact on the community. Here are some highlights from the local sporting arena.
Jasmine Haydon, a proud product of the Hawkesbury, has made headlines as a Paralympic medallist at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, securing silver in boccia alongside teammate Jamieson Leeson. Their team entered the Games as the top-ranked competitors, and Jasmine’s debut – just eight months into her sporting journey – was a remarkable achievement. Congratulations to both athletes for representing our nation and, equally important, the Hawkesbury sporting community.
This past month, Christopher Burton has continued to excel in the equestrian world, most notably winning a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in individual eventing. His performance aboard Shadow Man was exceptional, especially during the cross-country phase, where he came close to a perfect run. Burton’s skill in dressage and show jumping further solidified his reputation. This marks his third Olympic appearance, adding to his previous successes at London 2012 and Rio 2016.
In other equestrian news, the polo scene has returned to the Hawkesbury. After a busy off-season dedicated to preparing young horses and practicing chukkas, the local area is set to host some of the highest-level polo in the country over the next three months. Talented players from across Australia will compete at various venues in different grades.
Excitingly, some young, up-and-coming local players have been selected to represent Australia in a test match against New Zealand. Congratulations to Piper Trickett and James Parry Okeden, who live and play in the lowlands, as they prepare to represent us on the international stage. A big shoutout also goes to Anna Dowling, who played for the Australian ladies’ team, which triumphed over New Zealand on September 29 in Queensland.
The Windsor Spectacular, hosted by the Upper Hawkesbury Power Boat Club, triumphantly returned from September 15-17, featuring over 60 boats racing in categories like the Chesser Trophy and State of Origin Series. After
several years of cancellations due to flooding, this event marked a much-anticipated comeback.
In welcome news for many, the Richmond Swimming Centre has reopened for the 2023-2024 season, providing locals with a perfect spot to cool off and enjoy water activities as we move into the warmer months.
Youth sports are also thriving, with the Hills Hornets Under-18 Girls Basketball team gearing up for national competitions. Meanwhile, Hawkesbury City FC and the Hawkesbury Hawks have wrapped up a successful season across various youth age groups, from Under-8 to Under-18.
Australia Sporting News
It’s that time of year again, as finals footy takes center stage. The Penrith Panthers, the pride of the region, continue their dominance in the NRL, sitting as narrow favorites. The powerhouse club is aiming for its fourth consecutive premiership as they advance to their fifth straight grand final.
The club’s exceptional youth pathway system, which nurtures local talent, is paying dividends. This success is largely attributed to the development pathways that have produced stars like Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai, and Isaah Yeo. Cleary’s notable performance in finals and composure under pressure will be crucial for the local heroes as they seek to make history.
However, the relentless Melbourne Storm are eager to challenge for the premiership, promising an electrifying grand final. In the prelims, the Storm easily overcame an injury-depleted Roosters side that lost momentum after just 15 minutes. Following three consecutive penalties stemming from Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s (NAS) sin bin, the Roosters took an early lead with a try from Daniel Tupou. The Storm quickly responded with an electrifying try from Ryan Papenhuyzen and then went on to score several unanswered tries, led by Jahrome Hughes, who found the try line three times. Cameron Munster added two more tries in the 74th and 79th minutes, sealing the victory and sending the Roosters home disappointed.
Not everything is smooth sailing for the Storm, though, as NAS faces a potential suspension after being sin binned and reported for high contact on Lindsay Collins just seconds into the game. The Storm will be doing everything possible to have him available for Sunday’s match, given his crucial role in the forward pack.
The Sharks put up a commendable
fight against the reigning premiers on Saturday, holding the Panthers to a four-point deficit at halftime. Despite exceeding expectations in this year’s finals campaign, the Sharks ultimately lacked the firepower to overcome Penrith. Star playmaker Nathan Cleary left the field in the 74th minute after a challenging try-saving effort, raising concerns about his shoulder for the upcoming grand final. His health will be critical in determining the outcome of Sunday’s thrilling clash, where he aims to secure a groundbreaking fourth premiership as captain.
Hamish’s Tip Penrith Panthers: 24-22
Clive Churchill Medallist: Dylan Edwards
In the AFL Grand Final, the minor premiers faced a harsh reality as their hopes for redemption were dashed by Brisbane’s dominant performance. After a competitive first quarter, the Lions unleashed a string of unanswered goals, cruising to a 120-60 victory.
Will Ashcroft made history as the youngest player to win the Norm Smith Medal at just 20 years old, posting 30 disposals and scoring a goal in the emphatic win.
The Swans are left to grapple with disappointment once more. Despite a stellar regular season and a comeback against the GWS Giants in the quarter-finals, the loss of captain Callum Mills proved too much, leading to another runners-up finish and extending their streak of near misses to four years.
The Panther’s success and winning culture is largely attributed to the clubs development pathways, which have produced stars like Cleary, Jarome Luai, and Isaah Yeo.
Jasmine Haydon and Jamieson Leeson
