After a nine-year hiatus, the highly anticipated Showcase of Showjumping is making its triumphant return to the Australian equestrian scene. From May 2 to 4, the picturesque Windsor Polo Club in Richmond, NSW, will host this premier event, drawing top showjumpers from across the nation to compete for nearly $150,000 in prize money.Showjumping, an Olympic discipline, challenges horse and rider pairs to navigate a series of obstacles within a set time. It demands not only physical prowess but also a deep bond between the rider and their mount. The Showcase of Showjumping has historically been a platform where seasoned professionals and rising stars demonstrate their talents.Adding to the event's prestige, renowned German course designer Frank Rothenberger will be crafting the competition courses. Known for his innovative and challenging layouts, Rothenberger's involvement promises to test the mettle of even the most experienced competitors.“We’re thrilled to bring back an event to the Hawkesbury that attracts Australia’s top Grand Prix riders - including interstate stars Billy Raymont, Phil Lever, and Matea Davidson, as well as local Olympian Amber Fuller from Chatham Park in Glossodia. They’ll be joined by other Hawkesbury riders fresh from their overseas campaigns, including Amelia Douglas, Tom McDermott, and Josh Collins, all vying for the prize money.”The weekend’s action kicks off with the $93,000 Teams Spectacular at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 3, where groups of riders will go head-to-head in a test of strategy and precision. On Sunday afternoon, the stakes rise even higher with the $50,000 Grand Prix 150cm, where elite riders will tackle a formidable course in pursuit of the top prize.Spectators can expect much more than just world-class sport. With free entry, the event is accessible to all, and the grounds will come alive with food trucks, a café, and a bar. Sunday will also feature a kids’ corner with face painting and fun activities to keep younger visitors entertained.Set against the stunning backdrop of the Windsor Polo Club, nestled at the foot of the Blue Mountains, the Showcase promises not just excitement in the ring, but a full weekend of entertainment, community, and celebration.Whether you're a lifelong equestrian fan or simply looking for a great day out, the return of the Showcase of Showjumping is one event not to be missed.Limited VIP are now available at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1381470From your ringside table, watch the top level competition while indulging in premium hospitality, delicious food and refreshing drinks. Perfect for a day out with friends or entertaining clients.

Families flocked to the Harvey Norman – Hawkesbury Post Easter event, with face painting, an Easter Bunny visit, and plenty of smiles to go around.All proceeds from the day were donated to the Hawkesbury Community Kitchen.Hawkesbury Liberal candidate Mike Creed joined the fun, stepping in as judge for the popular colouring-in competition.Thanks to everyone who made the day a success!1st Prize : Sony Playstation (Aurora Dodwell, Bligh Park -7yr)2nd Prize : JBL flip Essential 2 / Lilo & Stitch figurine (Binuli Nimansa, Richmond - 10yr)3rd Prize: Fuji Instax Mini 12 Camera (Emily Brooker, Riverstone - 8yr)--

Hawkesbury Mayor Les Sheather’s 2024 election campaign was bankrolled by a local business lobby group chaired by the same developer behind a controversial land deal that Sheather voted to approve.According to official disclosures released this week by the NSW Electoral Commission, Sheather’s campaign - totalling $7,320.50 - was wholly funded by the Hawkesbury Business Group (HBG). The business lobby group - formed just prior to last September’s Council elections - is chaired by John Camilleri, owner of Hypro Pet Foods and Hypro Investments.Hypro was the would-be purchaser of the Council-owned land at 295 Sackville Road, Wilberforce - home to the Woodlands Park Pony Club for over 40 years. The $5.9 million sale was approved by Council in October 2024 in a vote. The proposed sale was pushed ahead without public tender or community consultation. Clr. Sheather voted in favour of the sale and later used his casting vote to block a rescission motion.Camilleri’s group, HBG, has been vocal in advocating for the rezoning and sale of Council land for industrial development. The group states its mission is to “advocate for better planning processes, infrastructure improvements, and the release of commercial and residential land.” HBG secretary Jeff Ferrara has said, “The lack of industrial land is a pressing concern… The Council’s actions in this instance are a step in the right direction.”Emails obtained by the Hawkesbury Post under freedom of information legislation (GIPA) last year reveal that Clr. Sheather was directly involved in brokering the deal with Hypro. A February 15, 2024 email from Council’s Chief Financial Officer to a colleague confirms Sheather had approached Council’s Property Manager about an offer on the land. “Council [Les] Sheather did follow up with Laurie on Tuesday regarding someone wanting to purchase, so I think Laurie knows it is coming. Interesting proposal – thanks for the heads up 😊,” the CFO wrote.The block, zoned RU2 Rural Landscape and deemed unsuitable by Council in 2020 for essential services due to its biodiversity value, was sold at what was described as “well above market value” for its current permissible uses. The sale sparked community backlash and confusion among councillors, most of whom were unaware that discussions with Hypro had commenced months earlier. Documents also reveal that Council sought two valuations on the land, one under its existing RU2 zoning and a second under RU4 industrial zoning.In a surprise move, Hypro Investments pulled out of the purchase just days after the sale was approved in November 2024, prompting Council’s General Manager to notify councillors by email that the company had decided not to proceed. “I am emailing to inform you that Hypro Investments have advised Council they have decided not to pursue the purchase of 295 Sackville Road, Wilberforce. Staff will prepare a report to a future meeting of Council outlining options moving forward,” Hawkesbury City Council general manager Elizabeth Richardson said via email. No further explanation has been provided as to why the sale did not proceed.The bushland block had been leased to the Woodlands Pony Club for 40 years. The Council had previously deemed the land unsuitable for the new Hawkesbury fire control centre due to its high biodiversity value.No public explanation has been given by Clr. Sheather regarding the donation or his role in the Hypro negotiations. He did not respond to questions from the Hawkesbury Post by the time of publication.

Police are appealing for information after a teenager was allegedly assaulted by a group of men and had his motorcycle stolen in Londonderry.Emergency services were called to Devlin Road about 5pm on Sunday, January 26, following reports a 17-year-old boy had been struck by a Triton utility while riding with another teen and a 25-year-old man.Police said the boy was then allegedly set upon by up to ten men not known to him, before his motorcycle was stolen. He was taken to Hawkesbury Hospital for treatment.A short time later, officers from Hawkesbury Police Area Command were flagged down by the two other riders and informed of the incident. A crime scene was established and examined by the Crash Investigation Unit.Police are now seeking assistance to identify the occupants of a red Holden Barina seen at the scene.An image of the vehicle has been released on NSW Police Force social media sites.Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is confidential, and police remind the public not to report through social media.Police are seeking witnesses and have released an image of a red Holden Barina seen at the scene.

Hawkesbury Council has voted against tougher flood rules, rejecting a push to raise the Flood Planning Level to a 1-in-200-year event. In a split decision, councillors chose to stick with the current 1-in-100-year standard, despite expert advice urging an increase.The decision came as part of the Hawkesbury Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan 2025, a key document meant to guide planning and flood resilience in the region. While Council adopted the study at its March meeting, a majority of councillors blocked the recommendation to tighten flood controls - overlooking warnings about increased flood damage and risk to thousands of homes.The study, based on data from the recently released Hawkesbury-Nepean River Flood Study 2024, outlines various flood mitigation measures. Public exhibition of the draft plan ran for eight weeks, with Council receiving 70 responses, including just 10 written submissions, 46 comments on the "Your Hawkesbury - Your Say" platform, and 14 pinpoint map comments.A key recommendation of the draft study was to increase the Flood Planning Level. This level determines where flood-related development controls apply, currently set at the 1% (1-in-100-year) Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP) flood level. The study proposed a shift to the 0.5% (1-in-200-year) AEP level plus 0.5 metres, which in Windsor would raise the Flood Planning Level from 17.2 Australian Height Datum (AHD) to 19.2 AHD.The study found that a 1-in-100-year flood event would impact 5,388 properties, causing damages of nearly $2 billion. In a 1-in-200-year event, 7,211 properties would be affected, with damages exceeding $2.9 billion. “It highlights that an additional 1,823 properties are affected in a 0.5% (1 in 200) AEP flood event compared to the 1 in 100,” the study stated.In submissions, residents expressed concerns that raising the Flood Planning Level could affect insurance availability, property values and future development controls relating to existing development. The study also found that proposed levees and bypasses were not viable due to high costs and low benefit-to-cost ratios.Councillor Nathan Zamprogno opposed the change, citing concerns about insurance costs. “Many residents I speak to find it increasingly difficult to access and then pay for insurance. When the government says 'don't build here,' insurers take note and jack up their premiums because our policies give a green light to insurers to declare some homes to be at such a risk they refuse to insure, or offer 'go away' quotations like $20,000 per year.”Zamprogno supported the study overall but said, “The costs of sending a signal concerning flood risk and the impacts on insurance were not something I could ignore. Council staff in their responses to these concerns effectively tried to say that insurers don't pay attention to what Councils do when defining and proclaiming risk. I disagreed.” He cited the Insurance Council of Australia’s fact sheet, which states that insurers consider multiple sources, including local government flood mapping, when assessing risk.“I don't want people to build in flood-prone areas, and the existing rules already ban it. It’s madness to let Sydney’s pressure for development override our common sense about flood risk,” Zamprogno said.Councillor Mary Lyons-Buckett strongly disagreed with the decision. “The recommendations put forward gave us the opportunity to be a part of the change we badly need to investigate; options which would decrease our vulnerability to flooding into the future: house-raising, buybacks, changes to planning controls, effective evacuation routes.”She argued that the proposed 1-in-200-year flood planning level was a reasonable measure. “This would apply to future new developments in that flood planning area requiring habitable space to be slightly higher and encouraging other aspects of construction such as design and materials to be as flood resilient as possible. This change would not alter any land use zoning. This change would not prevent development, nor prohibit renovations, extensions, or redevelopments of existing properties in the designated flood planning area.”Lyons-Buckett warned that ignoring expert advice could have serious consequences. “Ignoring expert advice designed to enhance flood resilience is potentially negligent. It is very disappointing to have heard years of calls for doing whatever we can to reduce risk to lives, only to have such an opportunity discarded. As leaders, we should be strengthening flood resilience, not clinging to outdated approaches that leave our community vulnerable and potentially expose us to liability in the future.”Despite rejecting the increased Flood Planning Level, Council included additional flood mitigation measures in the final report, such as road improvements for evacuation and enhanced data collection following flood events.Voting in favour of adopting the full study, including the increased Flood Planning Level, were Councillors Mary Lyons-Buckett, Peter Ryan, Danielle Wheeler, and Amanda Kotlash. The remaining eight councillors - Les Sheather, Paul Veigel, Shane Djuric, Eddie Dogramachi, Mike Creed, Jill Reardon, Nathan Zamprogno and Sarah McMahon successfully voted to exclude planning controls from the mitigation measures.

In a chance encounter that perfectly captured the international flavour of Hawkesbury’s polo season, a group of Argentinian polo grooms found themselves sharing a morning coffee with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and local MP Susan Templeman at the Black Duck Café in Richmond.The Black Duck, a favourite haunt of the polo community and Richmond locals alike, played host to the informal meeting this week, when the visiting grooms stopped in for a break during their busy season and ran into the federal MPs. Also pictured is café owner Tammy, who’s been serving up brews and banter to the local polo crowd for years. Her café has long been a hub for riders, trainers, and curious locals keen to soak up a bit of the season’s buzz.Each year, the Hawkesbury’s polo scene draws skilled players and support crews from across the globe, with Argentina’s renowned horsemen a regular fixture on the local circuit. Their contribution isn’t just on the field - the sport pumps millions of dollars into the local economy each season through accommodation, hospitality, transport, and equine services.“It’s a reminder of just how important regional events and industries are to our national story,” said Ms Templeman, who greeted the visiting workers warmly. “Polo in the Hawkesbury isn’t just sport - it’s jobs, it’s culture, and it’s connection.”A Surprise Brew: Polo Grooms, Deputy PM, and Café Owner Tammy Share a Moment at Black Duck

Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate 17-year-old Cheyanne, who was last sighted at an address in Vineyard on Monday, 3 March 2025. She has not been seen or heard from since, and concerns are growing for her welfare.Cheyanne is described as approximately 160cm tall, of medium build, with medium-length straight brown hair. At the time she went missing, she was wearing grey pants, a light blue bandeau top, a grey-blue throw wrap, and orange Nike ‘TN’ sneakers.Cheyanne is known to frequent several areas including Vineyard, Tregear, Emerton, Redfern, and Newcastle.Anyone with information about Cheyanne’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.

The Federal Government has pledged to mark 100 years of RAAF Base Richmond with a major public airshow - if Labor is re-elected.The announcement of “RIC2025” was made by Defence Minister Richard Marles and Macquarie MP Susan Templeman, who said the commemorative event would build on the success of last year’s open day, which drew nearly 15,000 people to the base.RIC2025 is proposed as a two-day airshow featuring flying and static aircraft displays, Defence exhibits, industry stalls, and simulators. While it would showcase the base’s role in Australia’s defence capability, it’s also expected to attract aviation professionals and enthusiasts, while boosting local tourism and business.“This will be a really special moment and the community wants to celebrate and acknowledge the work of our ADF personnel through RIC2025,” Ms Templeman said.“Following the success of last year’s open day, we want to see something that really acknowledges the role RAAF Base Richmond has in the local community for its 100 year anniversary.”The base, one of the oldest operating air force sites in the country, has long been home to the RAAF’s fleet of C-130J Hercules transport aircraft and plays a key role in both defence and emergency response operations.Mr Marles said the government backed the event in recognition of the base’s long-standing connection to the Hawkesbury.“Susan has been advocating for this event following the success of the Open Day last year,” he said.“As home to the RAAF’s C-130J Hercules, RAAF Base Richmond is important to the local community and commemorating 100 years here is a nod to its strong ties and long history.”It remains unclear whether a future Coalition government would fund a similar event, making the announcement one of several local commitments now hanging on the outcome of the federal election.

On autumn nights, juvenile foxes are often easy to spot. Slinking across paddocks and gardens, or cast off the side of the highway as roadkill. Motor impacts aside, this introduced species is flexible, opportunistic, and thriving in urban Sydney.Landowners near national parks will soon be receiving letters from the government about fox baiting activities. Every year I attach our notice to the fridge, filled with conflict as I weigh up the fox-driven destruction of local wildlife against the stark animal welfare issues of using 1080 baits.Foxes and rabbits were introduced in the 1870s for sport hunting, and declared a pest species just 30 years later. The current population sits at a stubborn 1.7 million, and they are found across 80% of the mainland. Foxes and feral cats in particular have been key drivers in wiping out 34 native mammal species made extinct since European settlement, with a hundred more currently listed as threatened. The carnage continues with over half a billion reptiles, birds and mammals estimated to be eaten by foxes each year, in addition to the heavy losses sheep farmers incur with killed lambs. Total eradication is not currently realistic, but we must minimize their impact. Is 1080 the best approach in the varied landscape of the Hawkesbury?Developed in Australia, 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) is a potent toxin derived from “poison pea” plants of the Gastrolobium genus, mostly found in WA. Odourless and tasteless, it was tested as a potential rodenticide in the 1930s. Our native marsupials, reptiles and birds are naturally resistant to this toxin; quokkas famously can gorge on 1080 baits with no ill effects. However, native species in Eastern Australia are likely to have less natural resistance, with species like Quolls believed to be more susceptible.As the chosen method in WA, studies have shown that targeted baiting programs can lead to a 95% reduction in fox numbers. Feral cats are less inclined to eat meat baits and are instead targeted with the ingenious Australian designed Felixor traps.These use a clever camera algorithm to detect cats and squirt the poison onto their coats. The cat then ingests the dose when grooming, and there is virtually zero chance of non-target casualties.Most agree that poisons are a necessary evil, but having made the decision to kill an animal we have a duty to ensure that the process is humane, and in line with national welfare codes. Unfortunately, death by 1080 is neither quick nor without suffering. The time to death ranges from 2.5 to 80 hours depending on the species, and feral pigs suffer the longest. Prior to death, carnivores poisoned by 1080 alternate from states of extreme hyperactivity, vocalizing and uncoordinatedmovement, to lethargy, recumbency, tremors, convulsions, and respiratory distress.A trawl though Youtube will offer up countless videos on 1080. It’s confronting viewing. There is no antidote for people or animals accidentally poisoned by it. The distress of dog owners helplessly watching as their beloved pets writhe in front of them is heartbreaking.There are more humane alternatives, but no silver bullet. PAPP (para-aminopropriophenone) has a completely different mode of action as the affected animal experiences gradual oxygen depletion, usually becoming lethargic, before falling asleep and dying from lack of oxygen to the brain and heart. The process takes one or two hours. The poison also has an antidote, so accidental intake can be reversed if the animal receives treatment in time. However, a range of native fauna are susceptible to PAPP including lace monitors, southern brown bandicoots and spotted-tailed quolls. While ideal for strategic ground baiting programs, it can’t be used for large scale aerial baiting which is cheaper, more practical, and the preferred vehicle for distributing 1080.Different environments invite varied approaches which may also prevent bait wariness from target species. Alternative control options include predator-proof fencing, shooting, cage traps, padded foot traps, and guardian animals for livestock.Even so, controlling pest animals for conservation purposes is difficult. A significant reduction in predators is needed to make a real difference for local species, and eradicating a predator like foxes can then lead to population booms in other problematic species, like feral cats. Even identifying the impact of feral predators is challenging. Long-term wildlife surveys provide essential data and monitoring private and public lands is only possible with collective action.Do you have a fox problem? Signs to look for:Seen or heard in your area. Camera traps are a powerful tool to reveal what is really going on at night.Footprints and scats.Livestock or wildlife kills or damage.Report sightings to FERALSCAN. Without knowledge action is useless, and knowledge without action is futile.

As temperatures soared into the high 30s last month, a recent report from the Climate Council paints a stark picture of what lies ahead if climate pollution isn't curbed.The Climate Council’s Heat Map of Australia, an interactive tool, projects the number of hot and very hot days - along with sweltering nights - each suburb and electorate could face by 2050 and 2090 under three different scenarios: no action, continuing current policies, or implementing necessary climate measures.Western Sydney has already felt the brunt of extreme heat, with Penrith recording a staggering 48.9°C on January 4, 2020 - making it the hottest place on Earth that day.“People in Western Sydney are already experiencing heatwaves approaching 50°C,” the report states. “Without urgent action, the region will see even more frequent and intense heatwaves, which will impact quality of life, public health, and economic productivity.”Compounding the problem is Western Sydney’s geography and urban design. The region is far from the coast, which offers a cooling effect, and suffers from the urban heat island effect - a phenomenon where roads, roofs, and concrete surfaces absorb and radiate heat, raising temperatures by up to 10°C on extreme heat days.“Unlike coastal areas, there’s no sea breeze relief here,” the Climate Council warns. “Lack of vegetation, high-density development, and poor housing design are exacerbating the crisis.”The report projects that by 2050, if existing climate action continues, Western Sydney will experience an average of 22 days above 35°C - an increase of 8 days compared to 1986-2005 averages. There will also be 3 days above 40°C, an increase of 2 days, while nights above 25°C will remain at zero.If no action is taken, the region could see 13 additional days over 35°C by 2050. Even with necessary climate measures, there would still be an increase of 8 days over 35°C, underscoring the long-term impact of past emissions.Looking further ahead to 2090, the projections become even more alarming. If current climate action continues, Western Sydney will experience 27 days above 35°C - an increase of 13 days. There will be 5 days above 40°C, an increase of 3 days, and, for the first time, the region will endure at least one night above 25°C.If no action is taken at all, the situation worsens dramatically, with the region facing 32 additional days over 35°C by 2090. Even with the strongest climate measures, Western Sydney would still see an increase of 8 days over 35°C.Without significant cuts to climate pollution, the report predicts that Western Sydney’s already scorching summers will become even more unbearable, putting residents at greater risk of heat-related illnesses and economic strain.

The federal government has confirmed that the long-awaited Richmond Bridge upgrade will go ahead in full, after a crucial top-up in funding was announced to complete the second stage of the project.Originally split into two stages due to a budget shortfall, the project had faced significant delays. But today, the Albanese Labor Government pledged that, if re-elected, it would ensure the bridge is delivered as originally designed.However, a small section of The Driftway will no longer proceed under the revised scope.“The Albanese Labor Government is announcing a further $114 million investment to improve safety and efficiency for users of key roads around the New Richmond Bridge,” the federal government said today.“The new investment will upgrade key connecting road infrastructure around Richmond and North Richmond and construct a bypass to Londonderry via a new road parallel to Southee Road,” it said.The announcement is likely to come as a welcome relief to Southee Road residents, who had been facing the prospect of traffic volumes doubling outside their homes if the original plan wasn’t completed.“While my prime role has been to secure federal funding, I maintain the belief that people in Southee Rd deserve to have their quality of life protected. As work proceeds with Transport for NSW, I’ll continue to support residents in that objective,” Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman told the Hawkesbury Post.In February, Transport for NSW released long-awaited design plans, revealing a funding shortfall that meant part of the project - Stage 2B - would not be built, with no timeline or guarantee it would ever proceed. Only Stage 2A, which includes the bridge and its immediate approaches, was funded.Without Stage 2B, residents of Southee Road were bracing for heavier traffic, while North Richmond residents feared worsening congestion due to the removal of key approach roads from the plan.More to come.

Hawkesbury City Council has made a submission on the controversial $213 million Island Oasis tourist development in Kurrajong Hills - almost a year after its input was first due and only after pressure from frustrated residents.Internal documents obtained under freedom of information laws reveal that the Council missed at least six deadlines last year for providing feedback to the NSW Department of Planning, which is assessing the project. Yet for months, Council insisted it had not missed any deadline, even demanding that the Hawkesbury Post retract its reporting and issue a “correction acknowledging your errors.”Emails between the Council and the Department tell a different story. The first deadline for the Council’s input was May 30, 2024. On June 17, a Department official followed up, writing: “Do you have an ETA on Council’s response/comments? Noting that we have not received anything.” Council’s Strategic Planning Manager, Andrew Kearns, replied that comments would be provided the next day. They weren’t. Council had previously claimed it was verbally told during May 2025 not to provide input.By June 25, the Department, still waiting, withdrew its original request and later reissued it. Over the following months, it sent repeated reminders, pressing Council for input. Again and again, Council promised a response - again and again, it failed to deliver.The delays continued for months. By October 4, the Department was still chasing the Council for input. On February 25, the Department confirmed that it had still not received a response. It wasn’t until March 17 - almost 10 months after the original deadline - that the Council finally submitted its comments.Despite the clear paper trail, the Council launched an aggressive attack on the Hawkesbury Post for reporting the story. On January 16, it wrote to the Post insisting that its article on the delays was “factually incorrect” and demanded its immediate removal. You can read that story here - https://hawkesburyapp.com.au/NewsStory/transparency-in-tatters-over-213m-resort-saga/67a09c3aefcdc9019f24f6bd“The assertions made within the article Council Misses Deadline on Controversial 200M Kurrajong Development are factually incorrect, and we strongly request that you remove the article from publication to prevent this misinformation from further circulating in the community. Council has not missed a deadline to “lodge an objection” as your article charges…” a council spokesperson wrote.Four days later, on January 20, the Council doubled down, accusing the Hawkesbury Post of relying on “very incomplete information” and displaying a “fundamental lack of understanding” of the planning process.Council’s accusations didn’t stop there. It insisted the Hawkesbury Post publish a correction acknowledging its so-called “errors.” Yet two separate freedom of information requests - one to Council and another to the Department of Planning - confirmed that the Post had been right all along. Council had repeatedly missed deadlines, ignored follow-up requests, and attempted to bury the truth.The project itself has drawn strong opposition from Kurrajong residents concerned about its impact on local wildlife, including endangered koalas and platypuses, and the risk of pollution in waterways that support the threatened Macquarie Perch. Fire safety, traffic congestion, and a lack of infrastructure in the area are also major concerns. The Federal Government has also now stepped in, warning the developer that it may need to be assessed under national environmental law due to its potential impact on the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.Emails show that the Council was well aware of the growing frustration from residents, who were demanding to know why the Council failed to provide input on such a significant development.Hawkesbury Council Governance Coordinator Karina Ward, in approving the release of documents under freedom of information laws, acknowledged the importance of transparency, stating that the project was “of substantial interest to the Hawkesbury community” and that the release of information would “enhance government accountability.”In a letter to the Post, granting the release of documentation, Ward said in approving the release of information, that the project be “of substantial interest to the Hawkesbury community”. This makes the Council’s decision to drag its feet on input into the project more than 10 months after it was first invited to give its views, even more difficult to understand. “The release of the information to a local media outlet could reasonably be expected to enhance government accountability and transparency regarding the assessment process,” Ward added.” This was taken into account as a significant public interest consideration in favour of the release of the information," she wrote.HCC’s belated submission was made on March 17, following pressure and representations from residents who were furious about the serial delays and broken promises on the timing of its submission.In the end, Council’s submission - which recommends a battery of studies - came not because of its own diligence, but because of public pressure. And despite its repeated denials and attempts to discredit the Hawkesbury Post, the records tell the real story - one of delays, obfuscation, deflections, and a stubborn refusal to acknowledge the facts.

Nurses and midwives at Nepean Private Hospital will walk off the job for 26 hours from 6am tomorrow (Thursday, April 3) in an ongoing push for improved staffing conditions and fairer pay.The strike is part of a series of rolling stoppages across Healthscope hospitals, following similar actions at Newcastle Private, Northern Beaches Hospital, and Norwest Private.Members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) say they are determined to secure safer working conditions, calling on Healthscope - Australia’s second-largest private hospital operator - to prioritise patient care over profits.“We need mandated nurse-to-patient and midwife-to-patient ratios to ensure safe, high-quality care,” an NSWNMA spokesperson said. “Our members are exhausted and overworked. Healthscope must recognise the reality on the ground and act now.”The striking nurses and midwives are demanding a 15% wage increase over one year, 30% night shift penalties, and improved leave entitlements. An overtime ban will also be in place at Nepean Private from 6am to midnight during the strike.The NSWNMA has confirmed that life-preserving care and minimum staffing levels will be maintained throughout the stop-work action.

After a tumultuous few years, Agnes Banks Equine Clinic (ABEC) is set for a fresh start under new ownership. On Friday, a trio of veterinarians - Christine Smith, Lauren Jordan, and Hadley Willsallen - finalised the purchase of the 30-year-old Hawkesbury equine practice, marking a turning point for the clinic and its future.The new owners are no strangers to ABEC. Each has deep professional and personal ties to the practice, having worked there in various capacities over the years. Their decision to take over comes after a challenging period that saw staff departures, community frustration, and, ultimately, the clinic’s closure in late 2023. The practice was temporarily reopened in early 2024 under corporate management, but its long-term viability remained uncertain until Smith, Jordan, and Willsallen stepped in.Lauren Jordan, ABEC managing director and one of the new owners, acknowledged the difficulties ABEC faced in recent years, including economic pressures, floods, and the broader challenges of corporate veterinary management. “We understand why the previous owner sold - running a clinic of this scale alone is a huge responsibility. The corporate group that took over had good intentions, but there were missteps that impacted both staff and clients. The changes they made didn’t always align with the expectations of a tight-knit equine community like ours,” Jordan said.Under corporate ownership, ABEC saw significant turnover in staff, which led to a decline in client trust. “Equine veterinary care is deeply personal. Clients come for their vet, not just for the practice name. When you lose that continuity, you lose the heart of the clinic,” Jordan explained.By late 2023, with few veterinarians remaining, the clinic shut its doors. A small group of former staff, including Jordan and Smith, returned in February 2024 in an attempt to revive operations, but rebuilding trust proved difficult. By the end of the year, corporate ownership opted to sell, and the opportunity arose for a homegrown revival.The new owners admit their decision was driven more by emotion than financial logic. “It’s a huge leap, but we couldn’t watch the practice disappear. We’ve all been part of ABEC for so long - it’s family to us,” Jordan said. “If we hadn’t stepped in, it would have shut down permanently. That wasn’t an option.”The transition is already underway. Over the weekend, staff and supporters including Olympian, Shane Rose held a working bee, giving the clinic a fresh coat of paint, adding flowers, and restoring a sense of community spirit. But the real challenge lies ahead - rebuilding the team and restoring the clinic’s full 24/7 services.“We need the community’s support,” Jordan emphasised. “Bringing in more vets is essential, but that takes time. We know people want the clinic back to what it was, and we’ll get there, but we have to do it sustainably.”As ABEC moves forward, its new owners are focused on regaining the trust of clients and ensuring the clinic remains a cornerstone of equine care in the Hawkesbury. For those who have relied on the clinic for decades, its return to local hands is a welcome sign of stability and renewal.Agnes Banks news owners, and supporters including Australian Olympian Shane Rose teamed up for a working bee to spruce up the clinic on the weekend.New owners, vets Christine Smith, Lauren Jordan, and Hadley Willsallen

By Councillor Mary Lyons BuckettThe Hawkesbury Floodplain Risk Management Plan 2025 presented our Council with a rare opportunity: to take expert recommendations and use them to make our community safer, stronger, and better prepared for future floods. Instead, eight Councillors chose to ignore the advice of specialists and exclude critical planning controls, citing fears about property values, insurance costs, and - whether stated outright or not - climate change denial.The irony is stark. Councillors often lament the increasing costs of insurance and the difficulties residents face after a flood event. Yet, when presented with a tangible way to mitigate those risks - implementing a 1:200 flood planning level to ensure new developments are built with flood resilience in mind - most Councillors turned away. This decision not only weakens our long-term flood preparedness but also leaves existing residents in limbo, stuck with rising insurance premiums and no clear strategy for improving flood safety.The 1:200 flood planning level was just one recommendation from the extensive study, but it became the focal point of opposition. However, the plan offered multiple strategies to improve flood resilience, including house-raising, buybacks, changes to planning controls, and better evacuation routes. These are the kinds of measures that could reduce our community’s vulnerability and lessen financial burdens over time.Let’s be clear: the proposed changes would not have rezoned land or prohibited development. They would have simply ensured that future building in flood-prone areas accounted for real and present flood risks. Currently, 181 undeveloped lots would have been subject to these updated controls, requiring habitable spaces to be built slightly higher and encouraging more flood-resilient construction methods and materials. Other regions in Australia and around the world are adopting these types of measures to strengthen their disaster readiness. Our Council, however, opted for the opposite approach - one that does nothing to reduce our exposure and may ultimately place us in a worse position.The flood planning level is a tool to guide safe, sustainable development. It does not alter the height of floodwaters, change flood risk calculations for insurance companies, or automatically devalue property. What it does do is help prevent future tragedies by ensuring that new development is built with flood safety in mind. The alternative - continuing to approve developments without updated flood controls - only increases the danger to lives and property.The decision to discard expert advice flies in the face of years of calls for stronger flood mitigation measures. It ignores both local and global evidence about the impacts of changing weather patterns and flooding events. And it leaves our community increasingly vulnerable, both physically and financially.Only four Councillors - myself, Peter Ryan, Danielle Wheeler, and Amanda Kotlash - voted in favour of implementing the full expert recommendations. The remaining eight Councillors voted to reject them.Council had the chance to lead, to act, to make Hawkesbury safer. Instead, it caved to fearmongering. When the next flood comes - and it will - residents will remember who stood for resilience and who stood in the way.

Eighteen months after the first of Labor’s promised Medicare Urgent Care Centres opened, the initiative is proving to be a vital addition to Australia’s healthcare system. Designed to fill gaps in emergency and general practice care, the centres have seen more than 1.2 million patients, helping to reduce strain on hospital emergency departments.Federal Health Minister Mark Butler, who spearheaded the program, initially faced pushback from some medical groups when the policy was announced during the 2022 election campaign. However, state governments embraced the idea, leading to rapid implementation. Negotiations with state health departments ensured that the centres worked in tandem with hospitals and ambulance services, preventing patients from falling through the cracks. In an exclusive interview with the Hawkesbury Post, the Minister spoke about the genesis of the critical care centres and how they have performed 18 months in.In 2023 alone, 58 centres were opened, followed by nearly 30 more last year. Today, 87 centres operate nationwide, providing seven-day-a-week care with extended hours and full bulk billing—an element Butler says is critical. “Making it free is a critical ingredient. Some previous models had out-of-pocket costs, which pushed people toward emergency departments instead,” he said.A significant portion of patients seeking care at these centres are children under 15, often for sports injuries or minor fractures. “If your kid breaks their arm on a Saturday afternoon, getting into a GP is almost impossible. Parents had no choice but to take them to emergency, where they could wait up to 10 hours behind more urgent cases,” Butler said. “These centres mean those children can get seen quickly, freeing up emergency departments to focus on life-threatening cases.”Beyond paediatric care, roughly a third of all visits to the centres occur on weekends, and many patients arrive in the evenings—times when GP access is limited. Hospital data suggests that non-urgent and semi-urgent emergency presentations have declined in areas where the centres are operating, allowing emergency staff to focus on critical cases.Despite some lingering criticism from a small section of the medical community, a 2023 survey found that 80% of emergency doctors and 70% of general practitioners viewed the centres as a positive addition to the healthcare system. “Initially, some GPs worried about the impact on their business, but they now recognise that most of these cases were never going to be seen by them at short notice,” Butler said. Importantly, the centres coordinate with existing GPs, ensuring continuity of care for patients.The model is not unique to Australia. Countries like New Zealand have had similar systems in place for decades, with significantly lower emergency department attendance per capita. “These centres fill a gap that every comparable health system has already addressed,” Butler noted.The Labor government has pledged to open 50 more centres if re-elected, including one in the Hawkesbury. Local MP Susan Templeman has advocated for an expansion, highlighting that the nearest centre in Penrith is too far for many residents. “If people can’t get to a centre easily, they’ll just go straight to emergency,” she said.The long-term vision is to ensure that four out of five Australians live within a 20-minute drive of a Critical Care Centre. Butler sees this as just the beginning, pointing to the United States, which has more than 15,000 urgent care clinics. “With 137 centres, we’re just starting to cover gaps in our system,” he said. “By the time we reach two million patient visits per year, we’ll have significantly reduced unnecessary emergency department demand while making sure people receive timely, quality care close to home.”Concerns about staffing the centres, particularly in regional areas, have so far not materialised. Butler noted that recruitment has been strong, even in traditionally hard-to-staff locations. “GPs and nurses want to work in these clinics,” he said. Many of the nurses come from emergency department backgrounds, drawn to the centres’ steadier pace and absence of overnight shifts.Local interest is already growing. Templeman said a GP in the Hawkesbury had reached out to learn more about the opportunity to be involved. If re-elected, Labor will launch a tender process for the next round of centres, with local GPs and community health centres invited to apply for funding to expand their practices.

Australia must not take its democracy for granted as challenges to democratic institutions intensify worldwide, former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has warned.Speaking at a tree-planting ceremony in Faulconbridge’s Corridor of Oaks, Turnbull cautioned against the erosion of democratic norms, pointing to the United States as an example of how institutions can come under attack.“We are seeing extraordinary assaults on democracy,” he said. “I'm not just talking about Vladimir Putin. Look at the challenges in the United States. Look at the way Donald Trump is attacking the judiciary. A judge has given a decision that he doesn’t like, and he abuses the judge, calls him a radical left lunatic, and calls for him to be impeached. So you are seeing in the United States the rule of law under attack from the President.”Turnbull, who served as Prime Minister from 2015 to 2018, urged Australians to value and protect the country’s democratic institutions. He credited Australia’s compulsory voting system, preferential voting, and independent electoral commission with keeping the political system more balanced than that of other nations.“We have great strengths in this country in terms of our democracy, not just because we're more sensible than the Americans and indeed a lot of others... We have compulsory voting. We've had it for 100 years. Think about that.”Addressing a group of school students attending the ceremony, Turnbull emphasised the importance of civic participation and speaking out against intimidation.“A lot of people get frightened out of speaking up because they get bullied,” he said. “People sometimes try to bully me, which, history has shown, is a futile exercise. But I say this particularly to the young people: never, ever let people intimidate you from speaking your mind.”He rejected the notion that political engagement should be left to elected representatives, stressing that democracy relies on the participation of all citizens.“Sometimes people talk about politics as though it's a game of football, like the Grand Final... and everyone else is in the stands, cheering or booing. But our political system is not like that. All of us are participants.”Turnbull also reflected on the 2022 federal election, where the rise of independent candidates - particularly the so-called ‘Teal’ independents - challenged the Liberal Party’s hold on traditionally safe seats. He credited Australia’s electoral system with preventing extreme political polarisation.“In our system, you’re fighting for the middle ground. If a party is seen to go too far to one extreme or another, independents come straight through the middle,” he said. “That is, I cannot tell you how important that is.”The former Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the recognition, acknowledging the significance of having his own oak tree planted among those of past leaders. 

Newly obtained documents reveal that the controversial Island Oasis development in Kurrajong Hills could pose a serious evacuation risk in the event of a bushfire, with the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) repeatedly warning that the site is unsuitable. The information, released under the Government Information (Public Access) Act (GIPA), shows internal correspondence between the Department of Planning and the RFS raising grave concerns about the ability to safely evacuate large numbers of tourists.The first opinion, dated 12 June last year, was in response to the developer’s initial request for Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs). The RFS assessment was blunt, stating, "It is strongly advised that the scope of the proposal on the subject site must be reconsidered given the constraints relating to evacuation of large number of tourists to a safer location in case of bush fire emergency. Reliance on a shelter-in-place only strategy is not deemed acceptable in achieving compliance with 1.1 Aims and objectives and 1.2 Bush fire protection principles in PBP 2019."Following this response, the developer, Tony Merhi of Merc Capital, adjusted the plans by reducing the number of cabins and camping sites while maintaining the same infrastructure and project cost. However, the RFS response to the revised SEARs application, dated 21 October last year, remained unchanged. The agency reiterated its initial concerns, stating, "…the concerns from the previous NSW RFS letter dated 12 June 2024 in relation to the suitability of the site are still relevant. Reiterating from the previous advice, the NSW RFS cannot rely on closure of the facility on days of elevated fire danger for compliance with PBP, nor impose this as a condition for approval."Despite these serious concerns, legal advice obtained by residents has revealed that under the State Significant Development (SSD) process, the developer is not required to seek formal approval from the RFS for a “Bush Fire Safety Authority” under the Section 4.14 of the EP&A Act. It exposes a significant flaw in the legislation and potentially puts lives at risk. Should the project proceed, it would place RFS volunteers at risk in favour of developers, residents say. The Island’s Oasis proposal seeks to transform the bushland site into a major tourist destination, featuring 311 permanent cabins, 120 lodge suites, camping and caravan sites, a central clubhouse, six communal kitchens, and various recreational facilities. While the plans include upgrades to Hermitage Road and Bells Line of Road, local residents argue these measures are inadequate given the scale of the project. The proposed access roads cut through crucial wildlife habitat, raising further concerns about environmental destruction.Tony Merhi’s development activities in Kurrajong have drawn scrutiny, with his son, Bashir Merhi, also pushing for a large, modern gambling venue in Kurrajong Heights. Residents fear the developments are driven more by financial gain than community or environmental considerations. Many remain skeptical of Merhi’s motives, given his previous attempt to rezone the site for a 450-lot residential development, which was unanimously rejected by Council in 2013. At the time, Council concluded the land lacked the necessary infrastructure, environmental capability, and fire safety measures to support such a large-scale project.A local resident, who obtained the RFS documents and requested anonymity, described the bushfire risks as dire. "This is a death trap," he said, recalling how the 2019 Gospers Mountain fire came within a kilometre of the site. The development may contain up to 1,500 people at any one time. The single steep, narrow and winding access road is shared with an existing housing estate placing those residents at risk along with those on the Oasis site. "The developer’s suggestion of an alternative fire trail exit is completely unworkable, as it runs through the Wollemi National Park and private property. In addition the proposed route would likely be towards the direction of any fire front. This alternative route was dismissed by Council in the 2013 housing proposal,” the resident said.The documents also reveal that the project’s cost estimates rely on the use of lightweight prefabricated materials where possible, adding to concerns about fire resistance. Residents and fire safety experts fear that without intervention, the project could proceed without addressing fundamental safety concerns, leaving thousands of future visitors and local residents at risk in the event of a major bushfire.

The latest water testing by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) claims PFAS levels in the Hawkesbury River are well below national safety guidelines, contradicting previous reports that warned of significant contamination risks.The EPA tested water at eight locations along the river on January 29, 2025, including near the North Richmond sewage treatment plant, Richmond Bridge, and Windsor Beach. According to the findings, PFAS levels were far below the National Health and Medical Research Council’s Recreational Water Quality Guidelines, meaning the river is deemed safe for swimming and boating.These results align with previous monitoring by the Australian Department of Defence, which investigated PFAS contamination from RAAF Base Richmond. The EPA insists the community faces a low risk from exposure or consumption and advises checking Beachwatch NSW updates after heavy rain.However, the findings appear to contradict a Transport for NSW (TfNSW) report on the Richmond Bridge construction, which classified PFAS contamination in the river as a serious hazard. The report revealed that workers building the new bridge are banned from direct water contact due to potential health risks. Instead, they must operate from barges to minimize exposure.This discrepancy raises questions about government messaging. If the river is safe for recreational users, why are workers restricted from touching the water? The TfNSW report cites PFAS levels exceeding environmental health guidelines under the National Environmental Management Plan (NEMP 2.0). It also warns that using river water for construction purposes could harm local ecosystems and human health.Associate Professor Ian Wright, an environmental scientist at Western Sydney University, previously told the Hawkesbury Post that PFAS chemicals, known as "forever chemicals," persist in the environment and accumulate in the food chain. These substances have been linked to cancers and other serious health conditions. "A very, very, very small amount of PFAS goes a long way," Wright said. "It’s like one eye-drop in 20 Olympic swimming pools that’s dangerous at that level. And the RAAF base used a lot of PFAS foams over a very long time."PFAS contamination in the Hawkesbury River stems from decades of firefighting foam use at the RAAF base. While Sydney Water maintains that drinking water meets national standards, it only tests PFAS levels at filtration plants, not in the river itself. Raw water, which includes rivers and dams, is not subject to Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.