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.