Hawkesbury Council has released the Draft Hawkesbury Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan 2025, outlining major recommendations to tackle future flood risks in our community. We’re digging through the details ourselves, but what stands out immediately is the potential impact on property owners who could find themselves on the downside of new flood planning levels and planning rules. You have until December 9 to make submission - it’s online at https://www.yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au Council is also holding info sessions where you can ask questions: Richmond Oval on October 12 (4pm - 9pm), North Richmond Shopping Village on October 24 (11am - 1pm), Wilberforce School of Arts on October 30 (10:30am - 12:30pm), and Windsor Mall on November 30 (5pm - 9pm). The study's brief was to look at the consequences of flooding on the community and measures to mitigate flood risks and impacts. See what you think. Measures investigated are outlined in the picture.

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 families, 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 congratulate 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 Popple 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.

Late yesterday evening, emergency services were called to a severe house fire in East Kurrajong, leaving a large family home in ruins. At 6:21 PM, the East Kurrajong Rural Fire Service (RFS) was activated, with reports indicating a house engulfed in flames and fire already spreading through the roof by the time they arrived.Additional crews from the NSW RFS Glossodia Brigade and other units from the Hawkesbury District arrived shortly after, bringing support. Wilberforce RFS said responders faced challenging conditions due to the intensity of the fire and the threat of explosion from two large LPG cylinders on the property’s verandah.“Our heavy tanker arrived just after, and with NSW RFS - Glossodia Brigade in tow we were able to cool down and eventually remove two large LPG cylinders from the verandah,” Wilberforce RFS said on Facebook. “Several of our members assisted with breathing apparatus (BA) operations, improvised a water supply, established breathing apparatus control, and performed fire suppression using our ground monitor.”Multiple brigades, including those from Wilberforce, Tennyson, and specialised support from Hawkesbury Bulk Water and Hawkesbury PC Charlie, coordinated on-site for more than five hours. With limited water supply adding to the difficulties, firefighters used all available resources, drawing water from a swimming pool, an irrigation system, and a nearby dam to sustain the suppression efforts.The Windsor and Richmond Fire and Rescue NSW teams joined the RFS in managing the fire, with both services employing breathing apparatus and ground monitors to tackle the blaze. However, despite their combined efforts, the structure could not be saved due to the extent of the fire upon their arrival.Thankfully, all occupants of the home were able to evacuate without injury. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, though early assessments are underway. This incident involved various local firefighting units, from both RFS and Fire and Rescue NSW. Friends of the family are asking the community for donations to help provide immediate support. Donations of clothing and essentials are needed for two young boys (clothing sizes 4 and 6; shoe sizes 9 and 12), an adult male (XL clothing), and an adult female (clothing size 12, shoe size 9). The family greatly appreciates any assistance during this challenging time.

Ever wondered what it’s like to see military aircraft and cutting-edge equipment up close? Now’s your chance! The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is opening the doors of RAAF Base Richmond to the public on Saturday, October 26, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm, offering a rare glimpse into the powerful operations and technology behind Australia’s air defense.The community open day will feature a display of aircraft and military equipment, allowing visitors to experience the scale and sophistication of the ADF's assets firsthand. ADF personnel will also be on hand to answer questions and provide insight into the wide range of career opportunities available in the military.Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, has long advocated for the open day and said she is thrilled to see the Base welcoming the local community.“This is something I’ve certainly been a proponent of with senior RAAF leadership, as I believe it’s really crucial that local people understand the breadth and depth of the important Defence work that takes place on the Richmond Base. “Last year I attended the open day with RAAF Base families, and partners, parents and children told me what an eye-opener it was to see the Base and get a better understanding of how the work of their family member fitted into the bigger defence picture. “This open day is a terrific opportunity for local residents to have that same experience, and for longer-term locals to see the change in the role of the Base. With a $9.8 billion upgrade in the pipeline for the arrival of 20 state-of-the-art C-130 Hercules aircraft beginning in 2027, RAAF Base Richmond’s role is set to grow as a vital asset in Australia’s defense strategy.Event Details:Date: Saturday, October 26, 2024Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Location: RAAF Base Richmond, entry via Gate 2 off Dight St, Richmond, NSWTickets are free and will be available from today (Wednesday, 9 October) at: https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/aa389152-54bd-43cd-bcc7-bd1d1a92b088.

Determined to protect their own development, Redbank developers today rejected any compromise, shifting the full impact of their road-widening project onto the neighbours. Disregarding the community’s pleas, they began clearing 158 old-growth trees - some over a meter wide - that provide essential wildlife habitat along Grose Vale Road.Residents gathered in protest early this morning, holding signs and pleading for the trees to be spared. By 8 am, police arrived. Residents told the Hawkesbury Post that one police car and two paddy wagons with six police officers walked them out. Shortly afterwards the trees began to be cut down.Police would not say who reported the protesters but told the Hawkesbury Post that at about 8 am today police were called to Grose Vale Road, North Richmond, following reports of protesters at a construction site.“Officers attached to Hawkesbury Police Area Command attended and located a group of protesters. The group agreed to leave the construction site police action was required.”Local councillors Mary Lyons-Buckett, Nathan Zamprogno, and Danielle Wheeler attended the protest. Councillor Zamprogno said he believes the road could have been designed to avoid the trees by moving it to the right on the Redbank side of the road.“Look at these photos. The trees on the left are scheduled for felling. The clear land on the right is part of an (expanded) road reserve and edges the Redbank estate. In my mind there is no reason why the road couldn’t run to the right and avoid the trees,” Zamprogno said.“I asked the Redbank representatives directly whether a road conforming to the relevant design rules could be constructed further over. In fact, I asked three times and never got a satisfactory answer.“The proposed loss of these trees was not presented to Councillors at any stage. We feel it should have,” he said.For residents, the felling represents not only a loss of cherished green space but also a threat to local wildlife, including koalas and gliders. One resident said: “We’re losing these beautiful trees and the wildlife they support, all so Redbank can keep their development unscathed. It’s infuriating that we’re the ones who have to sacrifice.”Comment is being sought from Redbank.The felling will be the latest in a number that has occurred recently in the Hawkesbury for new developments.Hawkesbury City Council (HCC) says the planned clearing is part of a road widening project agreed upon between Redbank developers and HCC under a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA). The approval for these works was a 2023 DA that was not considered by Hawkesbury Councillors but by the Planning Panel which was established in 2017.The Redbank development North Richmond has long been a source of contention in the Hawkesbury, with its origins tied to allegations of political corruption and questions over the project’s approval process. The development, which began in the early 2010s, was envisioned as a large-scale residential estate but soon became embroiled in an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) investigation that involved former Liberal MP Bart Bassett. Although ICAC found that Bassett had accepted prohibited donations, he maintained that they did not influence his support for Redbank. No corrupt findings were made against Bassett. Bassett today works for Redbank.

"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 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]

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 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 closer, 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 - you look out for your neighbours."

A 25-year-old man has tragically lost his life following a water-skiing accident on the Hawkesbury River early Sunday morning.Emergency services were called to a boat ramp in Lower Portland at around 7:2 am today, after receiving reports of a marine incident. Police said officers from the Hawkesbury Police Area Command arrived to find the man had sustained critical injuries when he struck the water at high speed while being towed by a boat.Despite efforts by NSW Ambulance paramedics to revive him, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have established a crime scene and are preparing a report for the coroner as part of their ongoing investigation. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.

"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 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. "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 management 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."

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. 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."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 approximately 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.

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 world-class talent Alec White, an ex-Australian Captain who has played across the world, including the UK, Argentina, 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 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.

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 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 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 ticket gaining two spots, which hasn’t happened since the days of conservative Mayor Rex Stubbs.”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."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.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.

While many of us spent the week dreaming we, or someone we love, might be the Hawkesbury's lucky new multi-millionaire, officials at The Lott revealed yesterday that a Bathurst man was the mystery 15 million jackpot winner in last week's Oz Lotto draw 1597 after purchasing the winning ticket at Wilberforce Newsagency.Wilberforce Newsagency owner Allison Griffith said the outlet had been buzzing with excitement. "We've had the newsagency for 17 years now, and this is our first major win," she said. "It feels very special to know that we sold someone a life-changing ticket."With his newfound wealth, the winner plans to focus on family. "It feels great to know that I will be able to help my family," he shared. "All I care to do is look after my family and make sure they're happy and healthy."https://mediacentre.thelott.com/media-releases/bathurst-man-wakes-to-spine-tingling-15-million-oz-lotto-win/

After 13 long years, the Bee Polding Class Of 2024 has graduated.Students celebrated their Graduation Mass and Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, September 24th.A massive congratulations to all graduating students from the school for their achievements, with a particular acknowledgement to the following students for receiving major awards:*College Perfect Attendance Award - Chloe Lovelace*Sportsperson Award - Charlotte Ward*Stephanie Doohan Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) Award - Brianna Gray*Gemma Thompson Memorial Award for Science - Cassandra Dimech*Sister Gwenda Critchley Award - Emma Lappalainen*The College Leadership Award - Ava Grace Bennett & Kurt Rodwell*Australian Defence Force Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award - Calum Winston*Australian Defence Force - Future Innovators Award (Science/Technology) - Taleisha Muscat*The Year 12 School Spirit Award - Erin Banks, Jacinta Brincat, Finbar Hicks, William Hicks &Chloe Lovelace*The College Medal - Chloe Lovelace, Jessica Reimer, Isabella Spiteri*The Annual Bishop of Parramatta Student Excellence Award - Jessica Reimer*The Good Samaritan Award - Calum Winston Marist*All-Rounder Award - Jessica Reimer*The Bishop Bede Polding Award for Outstanding Contributions to the College - Phebe Dalton*The College Academic High Achiever Award1st: Mikaylah Dimech2nd: Jade Zammit3rd: Jana Chadevski4th: Rylee McKeon5th: Roisin Kearney*The College Award - Ava Grace Bennett & Kurt RodwellFinbar Hicks, Chloe Lovelace, Erin Banks, Jacinta Brincat, Williams HicksHendrix Donnelly, William Hicks, Hayden Kelly, ... Rodwell, Finbar Hicks, Calum Winston, Mitchell CwojdzinskiJessica Reimer, Jana Chadevski, Maddison Dicki ... inta Brincat, Phebe Dalton, Alisha Sultana, Chloe LovelaceThe College Medal Left to right- Chloe Lovelace, Jessica Reimer, Isabella Spiteri

So lovely to see all the local schools' graduation events - Here's Arndell Anglican College celebrating the achievements of their year 12 class of 2024. Arndell held its valedictory celebrations on Monday.Thanks to the school for providing these images.So many amazing young people going out to make their mark on the world. Congratulations Arndell's class of 2024.Gemma Zammit, Layla Jackson, Eesha Chand, Elise Hall, Hannah MapleHarrison McLuuckie, Dr Gareth Leechman (Headmaster)Back row: Montana A, Leila Crawford, Isabella Humberstone, Anneliese Welsh, Georgia Waters, Tehya Wilson, Kayla Avery, Lucy OwenFront Row: Jade Taylor, Sienna Smith, Jade Lennox, Madison Edworthy-Cramond, Tijana McCarthyLachlan Ward, Aimee Bawcombe, Rachel NathakumaranLachlan Ward, Korey Owen, Scott Hulme, Jasper Deane, Brody Collins, Seaff Jaradat, Riley Avery

Colo High Year 12 students gathered for a farewell assembly yesterday with friends and family.Congratulations and good luck for the HSC exams next month.Amber Sherrard and Jacob James lead out Year 12 from the school hall for the final time.Outgoing Year 12 Student Leaders presenting badges of office to the incoming leaders for 2025Rachel Gartland and Cade Morgan and Sarah Beardsley performing with their Year 12 music class.

Well done to the Hawkesbury’s 2024 school leavers! We thought we’d share some photos to celebrate this exciting moment (and we’re sure the kids must be so relieved!). Richmond High School said goodbye to its leaving class on Thursday, 26th September, as they wrapped up classes and got ready for the HSC exams. Enjoy these farewell photos from their big day!Year 12 Class of 2024 - Caps Off! Richmond High School Graduates.Photo Credit: Amity GilesOur 2024 Student Leaders cutting the Graduation Cake on behalf of the Year 12 cohortPhoto Credit: Amity GilesRichmond High’s Year 12 cohort perform the closing act at the R U OK? WELL- Fair Concert on 24/9/24.Photo Credit: Laura Pedersen

Sex Crimes Squad detectives charge two Windsor men for allegedly committing and filming bestiality on farm animalsDetectives from the NSW Police Sex Crimes Squad yesterday 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 Trawler, which uncovered graphic content allegedly involving farm animals and secret footage of a child.The arrests were made early Thursday morning (September 26), 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.

More than a kilometre of mature gums and native trees along Grose Vale Road, Grose Vale are set to be cleared next month, as part of Redbank’s controversial housing development. The large-scale tree removal, planned for October, has angered local residents, who reached out to the Hawkesbury Post this week after noticing the trees, many large old gums had been individually tagged for removal.Hawkesbury City Council (HCC) says the planned clearing is part of a road-widening project agreed upon between Redbank developers and HCC under a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA). They said the felling of these trees is necessary to accommodate the expansion of Grose Vale Road. Residents are also angered that the road widening and tree removal is not located on the side of the Redbank development, but instead along the opposite side of the road - just metres from established homes not associated with Redbank. The removal of native trees in the area has sparked growing anger within the community. Loss of habitat is known to be one of the greatest threats to native wildlife, including endangered koalas, which rely on the region’s trees for survival. The destruction of native habitat in the Hawkesbury is increasingly being seen as a significant environmental issue, with locals expressing deep frustration over the ongoing large-scale clearing.Late last week, over 40 native trees, including gums, were felled at another development site in Kurrajong, further fueling concerns. HCC has since issued a halt to any further clearing at that site on Hermitage Road.HCC has defended the removal stating that loss of trees will be compensated through a tree planting schedule that includes 1,049 replacement trees. “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 1049 replacement trees across the Southern Valley Precinct,” HCC told the Hawkesbury Post.Council said the works are scheduled for the October school holidays to reduce traffic disruption, although final approval for road occupancy is still pending.