Independent voices. Good government.
An announcement.
I was elected as a Liberal Party Councillor five years ago. It has been an incredible honour to serve and represent the Hawkesbury community since then.
However, I will be standing at the coming Local Government election on 4th September as an independent candidate.
Many people have thanked me over the years for being a ‘straight shooter’. I speak my mind and I’m led by both evidence, and my conscience in the positions I take on Council. I’m looking forward to doing that even more now.
I am presently drawing together my team of running mates (get in touch if you’re interested), and will have more to say in the coming days.
I am excited about the possibilities. If you don’t already, please follow me on-line to get updates.
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Latest news
Hawkesbury Council’s position concerning the new Hawkesbury River bridge
Last night Council considered the submission we would make to the consultation process on the route of the new Hawkesbury River crossing at North Richmond.
My position is guided by an awareness that this is not Council’s project. Like the Windsor Bridge project before, we neither decide nor craft its appearance, budget or timeline...
Make no mistake – raising Warragamba Dam will make our community safer
This morning, the opponents of flood safety in the Hawkesbury were falling upon a 'leaked' State Government report that stated something so obvious it's banal – that in the event of a major flood, the water has to go somewhere.
Those confecting outrage even suggest that raising the dam would *worsen* the effects of flooding in the Hawkesbury – a staggeringly misleading and contemptible statement.
When will the NSW Local Government Elections be?
Council elections were supposed to happen in NSW in September 2020.
Then COVID put them off to September 2021.
Recently, the Minister delayed them a second time to December 4th, 2021.
Now there's a rumour going round that they will be delayed to next year.
You should demand your right to vote.
The Tragedy of Afghanistan
I rarely venture into geopolitics, but what’s happening in Afghanistan is simply a tragedy. The Taliban are resurgent, and will shortly repossess all the territory won from them after 2001. So much of our own blood and coin spilled for no gain after a twenty year war.
I feel deeply for the 26,000 men and women of our own defence forces who served there. What must they think? Ultimately, I believe our presence in Afghanistan was just.
Further delays to the Grose River Bridge should make you cranky
The Redbank project, and associated wrangling over the promised Grose River Bridge crossing goes all the way back to 2008.
So if you're angry or confused about why it seems that this infrastructure keeps receding to the horizon, then I'm with you.
Why is it taking so long? And why, after this week’s Council meeting, is it going to be delayed even more?
Why you should be angry about reckless election-season posturing
If there was any doubt that the election silly-season is upon us, this week's Council meeting should leave you in no doubt.
Two things in particular stand out – variations on the same theme, one might say.
I regard two motions that came to Council for us to abandon relationships with two regional bodies WSROC and HRCC (which we have been a member of for 73 years), to be lazy, reckless vandalism.
A Win For Colbee Park Users – A Masterplan… And $573K in Funding!
Overwhelmingly, the biggest problem Council has with developing masterplans for our parks is there is no money allocated to execute the plans once they're made. In this term I have lamented that community consultation and masterplanning processes raise community expectations, only to dash them with no follow-through...
We should look after Jenolan Caves better
Jenolan Caves is a much loved tourist destination, not far from the Hawkesbury. When I visited in January, I found it in a shocking state. Here's what I did.
What you need to know about COVID
Recently, at the Australian Local Government Conference in Canberra, I was briefed about some surprising COVID statistics. Here's what I learned.
Raising awareness of the need for Hawkesbury-Nepean River Health
In 2004, the Hawkesbury River was choked with weeds. Hard work and co-operation between three tiers of government cleared the river up. Now, short-sighted policy is putting all that at risk. I'm fighting for a better deal.
Australian Councils deserve more help from the Federal Government
Support for Local Government as a fraction of Federal taxation revenue has halved since 1996. Worse, Councils have no recognition in the Constitution. I went to Canberra to put the case for better representation.
Saving Council money by trimming Councillor perks
Councillors get laptops, phones, printers, iPads and modems to undertake their work for Council.
However, I felt that the policy that governs what Councillors get is wasteful and inefficient. I put a motion before Council to reform this policy and save Council some money.
The Hawkesbury community lays Peter Speet AFSM to rest today, former Captain and Group Captain with the Oakville Rural Fire Brigade.
This is the condolence motion brought to Council on Tuesday night.
It's so cruel to have this happening under COVID lockdown conditions.
To see the family having to make agonising choices about which grandchildren will have to miss their grandfather's funeral.
To see the RFS banned from giving him an honour guard or vehicle procession to the service at St James' in Pitt Town.
Farewell, Pete. ... See MoreSee Less
4 days ago
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Covid19 has been difficult for the whole community, and we all feel for the family of Peter Speet,thanks for his lifelong commitment to the community
As the road out of lockdown is taking shape, this is a great initiative to have Hawkesbury local businesses hear directly from two State Ministers about what they need to know.
I strongly support this initiative and look forward to joining you on-line for this meeting.
Share this to your network and spread the word.
Registration for this event is at
tinyurl.com/hawkesburybusinessGETTING BACK TO BUSINESS!
Small business in Hawkesbury has been doing it tough with these lockdowns, so with vaccination targets looking promising and 'reopening' on the horizon, I have invited the Minister for Finance and Small Business, Damien Tudehope MLC, Minister for Digital and Customer Service, Victor Dominello MP and NSW Small Business Commissioner, Chris Lamont to an on-line Town Hall meeting with Hawkesbury small businesses and tradies.
It's your chance to hear first hand, what support and plans are in place to get you back up and running in quick time. Have you had trouble registering for a grant, been told you are ineligible because you don't fit the criteria or just want to understand the roadmap out of lockdown, then join me at this Town Hall meeting?
It's free and available to Hawkesbury small businesses on Thursday, 23rd September 2021 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Zoom.
To register, go to:
tinyurl.com/hawkesburybusiness
Hawkesbury Business Events
Hawkesbury Business Network
Hawkesbury Business Directory
Windsor Business Group - WBG
Hawkesbury City Chamber of Commerce
I Love Windsor
I Love Windsor - Business Owners Group
Hawkesbury City Council
Kravings
Bilpin Fruit Bowl
Pie In The Sky Roadhouse
Hillbilly Cider
Glenorie Bakery
Patrick Conolly - Mayor of Hawkesbury
The Hills Shire Council
Windsor Rsl
Glenorie Rsl Club
The Hawkesbury Gazette
Hawkesbury Post
Hawkesbury PaddleWheeler
Richmond Club
Sids Shoe Surgery, Park Mall
Autumn & Thistle Homewares
BM Refrigeration Services
Malcolm Rushworth Upholstery Craftsman
Popple Lane
Last Round Training Facility
Stonehill Pump & Irrigation Services
Blueberry Hills on Comleroy Bed and Breakfast
Schembrae's At Kurrajong
Lime & Coconut Cafe
Off Road Rush Sydney
Archibald Hotel Kurrajong Heights
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5 days ago
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Are you supporting the lockout of Non Vaxxed??????????
🇦🇺🇬🇧🇺🇸 🇦🇺🇬🇧🇺🇸 🇦🇺🇬🇧🇺🇸 🇦🇺🇬🇧🇺🇸
Nuclear submarines aren’t usual Council business, but the exceptional importance of this announcement makes it worthy of comment.
I support this initiative. I’ve supported the CANZUK movement for decades, goading the English-speaking democracies of the world to unite promoting trade, defence and shared values.
I also think that Australia is long overdue to employ nuclear power. We tick all the boxes: we’re a stable, responsible democracy. Our geology allows us to play our part in the processing and disposal of waste in the far outback at a huge profit. Our deposits of ore and especially Thorium could open the door to new and safer generative technologies. It would massively contribute to our zero-Carbon aspirations.
Lastly, the initiative recognises that Australia has a special role in staring down rivals in the Indo-Pacific. China must understand free democracies will defend our freedom and that of our neighbours.
The submarine deal we inked with the French was a hot mess. Let’s hope this deal sets a new path, strengthening the ties between three countries committed to upholding and strengthening the liberal, rules-based order, and ensuring Australia has the capabilities needed to defend & deter in a more contested regional environment.
🇦🇺🇬🇧🇺🇸 🇦🇺🇬🇧🇺🇸 🇦🇺🇬🇧🇺🇸 🇦🇺🇬🇧🇺🇸 ... See MoreSee Less
6 days ago
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Last night Council considered the submission we would make to the consultation process on the route of the new Hawkesbury River crossing at North Richmond.
My position is guided by an awareness that this is not Council’s project. Like the Windsor Bridge project before, we neither decide nor craft its appearance, budget or timeline.
However, Council does have a role to listen to residents and then represent their concerns clearly. And other tiers of government, if they are wise, should listen. I’ve been contacted by dozens of residents and had long conversations both for and against the preferred ‘green route’.
I’m persuaded that the briefings conducted by Transport for NSW make a good case for the preferred ‘green route’. The modelling clearly shows it saves the greatest amount of travel time, is subject to fewer ‘major’ constraints, has a superior cost-benefit ratio compared to the purple route, will draw more traffic away from the already-congested current crossing, and will have a lower impact on the landscape in terms of earthworks, heritage and ecology.
That said, there are still substantial unanswered questions before us, and many ways in which the proposed route could be improved. If we don’t ‘hustle’, the community won’t get what we deserve.
I remain concerned about the impacts on the residents of Hobartville, and especially on Southee Road and Inalls Lane.
I think the intersection of Kurrajong Road, Old Kurrajong Road and Yarramundi Lane should be an elevated flyover – not just to reduce traffic congestion, but to provide better flood resilience as well.
I’m happy for Council to acknowledge the strengths of the green route, but continue to press for investigations to continue into a hybrid green/yellow route – especially if that benefits the users of the playing fields on Yarramundi Lane.
Lastly, the community needs to know whether the status of the Grose River crossing – contractually bound on the Redbank developers, but much delayed and still no certainty, affects the modelling.
I am pleased that Councillors understood the need for a bipartisan approach on this, and with the exception of Councillor Ross (who votes against everything with what I regard as a very unconsidered attitude), we will be making this submission.
My remarks in this debate are in the video.
councillorzamprogno.info/2021/09/15/hawkesbury-councils-position-concerning-the-new-hawkesbury-ri... ... See MoreSee Less
1 week ago
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Nathan I appreciate your post, however unless Council undertakes it’s own community engagement, in line with its adopted policy, the true community concern about options is an unknown and therefore difficult for you and your colleagues to present. Engagement by TfNSW by Facebook is simply NOT satisfactory and from what I am reading from attendees not a true record, or report of community concerns. That said I would respectfully request that Council undertake its own engagement and consultation, COVID free process, as soon as possible. The outcome of such a process will place Council in a much stronger position to argue concerns with the Government and test the veracity of the TfNSW consultation. It was also very encouraging that Council has taken a bipartisan approach to this very, very significant issue. A Notice of Motion to undertake Councils own community engagement process, signed by several Councillors would I am sure receive significant community support.
I think Councillor Ross was stating that he felt that a vote should not be taken to-night because the community would be unaware of the alterations, the Mayor stated "Definately take your point etc" I think your comment of Councillor Ross "who votes against everything with what I regard as a very unconsidered attitude" is not called for. As Barry Smith stated below "unless Council undertakes it’s own community engagement, in line with its adopted policy, the true community concern about options is an unknown and therefore difficult for you and your colleagues to present." It appears that this has been left to the last moment with no community engagement.
Grade separated or fly over intersections have been discussed and suggested often at the community working party meetings - they have thus far not been included due to cost and the modelling suggests they aren't needed.
Build the original bridge straight out of Richmond. Our councilors pushed for the bypass which has now effected more people than the original approved proposal to the shit fight that the small opionated groups that held private meetings to come up with this crap.
Another Liberal politician advocates against purple; anything but a bipartisan approach. This is now a referendum on Green Route v Purple Route for all of our elections until the bridge is built.
Build the bypass down I. Pitt Town like it was promised! Forget the bridge we want our bypass
Ash Clif
Elevated Flyover a great idea
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I will move the following condolence motion to Hawkesbury Council at its meeting tonight, following the passing of significant local leader and dear friend, Peter Speet AFSM, former Captain of Oakville Rural Fire Brigade.
It should be at the front of the meeting from 6:30pm, and will be webcast:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QCjpiGssAU ... See MoreSee Less
1 week ago
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I was tremendously saddened to hear of the passing of Peter Speet AFSM this morning, at home with his family.
Peter, Roslyn and his family have been close friends to us for over 40 years.
When I joined Oakville Rural Fire Brigade in 1988, Peter was Senior Deputy Captain and was my leader and mentor.
He was, in every sense "Mr Oakville". No one better exemplified the kind of broad, laconic, no-nonsense common sense that gets stuff done that only farmers can produce.
My teens were spent on the back of the Studebaker, Oakville 1, rolling from burnoff to bushfire. By Peter's side I learned to admire his self sacrifice, and about serving the community. As a teen, I remember riding my bike to the Speet house and Peter and I would play chess across their kitchen table. He would talk about the importance of giving back, and of how it isn't the government that makes good communities; it's people, pulling together. The lesson stuck.
Peter gave me my first paying job, weeding his strawberry fields at Oakville and at Dutch's farm up at Mountain Lagoon.
But Peter also gave over 60 years of service to the Hawkesbury, and mentored many other young people, as Oakville's standing at the RFS championships year after year attests. That, and the presence of Oakville RFS as one of the largest and most active brigades in the district, if not the State.
Peter rose to become Captain, Group Captain and recently Emeritus Captain of the Brigade.
I joined dignitaries only last November to honour Peter in receiving an extraordinary 4th clasp to his National Medal at a special gathering with RFS and family.
My warmest thoughts are with Roslyn, daughters Sally, Katrina, Melanie and Heidi, sister Di, and the large tribe of grandchildren and extended family.
My hope is that Council, and the community at large will be afforded the opportunity to remember and honour Peter publicly. That this should happen during lockdown is so cruel.
Vale, Peter. ... See MoreSee Less
1 week ago
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Another really beautiful tribute to a well deserved man.
Rest In Peace Peter
Rest in peace.
RIP
Rip
RIP Peter.
Condolences 💐 to all
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I applauded the government’s announcement of a ‘Blue Plaques’ program to honour heritage, modelled on the UK tradition.
I’ll be moving that Council makes a submission of local sites to our MP and to the Minister for inclusion in the program.
What local Hawkesbury History would you like to see commemorated with a Blue Plaque?Behind every plaque is a story. We’d love to hear your views of the people and places in your local community that deserve recognition as part of our heritage. To make a Blue Plaque nomination contact your local MP before the end of October. ... See MoreSee Less
2 weeks ago
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This is already happening. Staff, myself and Darren Pead from I Love Windsor met with Council’s signage consultants on Tuesday to discuss this.
I would hope that John Tebbutt gets a look in. Such a shame when he was removed from the old $100 note
I nominate The Australiana Pioneer Village at Wilberforce a NSW heritage listed site and a major tourist drawcard in the Hawkesbury thanks to the foresight of local Bill McLachlan to move authentic buildings from the 1800s to one site to form a Village. Open since 1971 but currently totally run by Volunteers since 2011 and self sustaining through visitor patronage and some small grants. Although it has taken a huge hit last year with COVID closures, a drop in patronage due to the bushfires, flooded earlier this year and now in COVID lockdown the Volunteers are waiting to welcome back visitors to let them have a hands on heritage experience in the Hawkesbury. Worthy of a blue plaque.
If it’s modelled on the UK program it is not about historic sites, but about the association of prominent people with those sites. Is this correct?
It’s a shame so much of Hawkesbury heritage has been trashed already.
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This morning, the opponents of flood safety in the Hawkesbury were falling upon a 'leaked' State Government report that stated something so obvious it's banal – that in the event of a major flood, the water has to go somewhere.
Their tortured argument says if Warragamba Dam is raised, providing a buffer against future floodwaters, then that water will need to be released progressively after the peak. This means river levels will remain elevated for a number of weeks as that release occurs - affecting water filtration and sewerage treatment plants downstream.
Scarcely surprising. Any major flood is a catastrophe with effects lasting weeks or months. There is no scenario where a major flood would not disrupt in this way.
Those confecting outrage even suggest that raising the dam would *worsen* the effects of flooding in the Hawkesbury – a staggeringly misleading and contemptible statement.
Such a statement is as brazen as telling people that vaccination will give them COVID. It is geared to provoke outrage. It counts on people not knowing the facts.
What they don't concede is that in the event of a major flood, if the dam has not been raised, those same floodwaters would hit the floodplain all at once, catastrophically. It would cause flooding to a far higher height than would otherwise be the case.
The 'Resilient Valley, Resilient Communities' document laid all this out in 2017:
In the event of a 1:100 year flood, 1000 houses would be inundated with a raised dam, instead of 5000 without. In an 1867-level flood, that's 5000 houses instead of 12,000. The severity or frequency of flooding will be reduced overall by 75%, the damage bill reduced tenfold. The flood height would be lowered by many meters.
Imagine if the floods we endured in March this year were 3-5m lower – on the order of the February 2020 floods. Many houses would have been saved. Now imagine if that flood was another 3-5m higher. Those are the margins we are talking about in choosing not to implement flood mitigation.
Stating that the backlog of floodwaters would be released progressively from the dam in a responsible way is so obvious as to be no admission at all. Not focusing on what *would* have happened if that buffer had not been there is irresponsible.
Opposing flood mitigation condemns thousands of houses on the floodplain to inundation when the next big flood comes, and you should remember that when you vote. ... See MoreSee Less
2 weeks ago
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Solution is far simpler. Don't let the current Dam levels get above 90%. Release before the threat of a flood rather than bang in the middle
Without accurate peak discharge figures of warragamba, plus nepan, grose and colo river, all the new devolepment storm water system all along south creek, and there effect of backing up the river has on flood levels, if any ? Plus accurate flood modelling in either case, is abit hard to see whos argument is valid. A "trust us" approach just wont cut it anymore
The cost is almost 2 billion dollars for the build at that rate might be cheaper to pay people to move out of the immediate way of flood plan and build more adaptive housing, like floating houses.
People have asked me for more information about a new proposed development at McGraths Hill reported in the Hawkesbury Gazette this morning, on the site of Windsor Garden Centre (Millers Nursery) on the corner of Windsor Rd and McGrath Rd – especially since I wrote recently about the previous proposal for a 130 room motel on the same site.
Council's DA tracker shows a new (DA0271/21) at the location (189 Windsor Road, Vineyard) but no documentation has been uploaded yet. I presume material will appear there even though the application will ultimately be adjudicated by a planning panel. So it seems clear that the developers have put out the information we are seeing so far and there's no other basis on which to determine what we should think of the proposal (my preliminary opinion - better than a motel, but let's see what they do about parking).
The previous motel DA (DA0130/200) was withdrawn in May. ... See MoreSee Less
2 weeks ago
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The Gazette story: www.hawkesburygazette.com.au/story/7421603/windsor-garden-centre-site-earmarked-for-community-hub... Council's DA tracker website: datrack.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/MasterViewUI/Modules/Applicationmaster/Default.aspx?page=disc My story from June about the previous Motel DA: councillorzamprogno.info/2021/06/14/proposed-mcgraths-hill-motel-development-knockback-prompts-li...
Is it true there has been a proposal for a hotel/motel on Pitt town rd ?
Perspective. ... See MoreSee Less
2 weeks ago
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Comment on Facebook Perspective.
We're doing very well, and it's easy to forget that most of the countries with similar death/million counts don't have reliable figures and are probably massively under-reporting. One that's doing even better than we are is NZ with only 5 deaths/million.
Yes so why the hell are we still being forced to vax and being locked down? There is more to this Nathan..........
Being a Dad is the best thing I will ever do or be.
Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads out there. My thoughts are with all of you who can’t be with your Dads or kids today. ... See MoreSee Less
2 weeks ago
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Council elections were supposed to happen in NSW in September 2020.
Then COVID put them off to September 2021.
Recently, the Minister delayed them to December 4th, 2021.
Now there's a rumour that they will be delayed to next year.
This should concern all of us.
Accountability to the voting public is the cornerstone of our democracy.
Worse, there may be restrictions in place that make it almost impossible for candidates to put forward their views and policies for your scrutiny.
This will heavily distort the vote as worthy ideas or candidates are unable to reach you for your consideration.
I have found that a diversity of ideas and skills makes our Council better, and I believe this is what the community wants and deserves.
The answer: Sit up. Tune in. Ask questions.
In 1864, Abraham Lincoln held an election in the middle of a civil war.
In 1944, Roosevelt did the same during WW2.
Australia held two wartime elections in 1940 and 1943.
In the UK, there were 141 by-elections held during WW2.
If they could hold elections in emergencies like that, so can we.
Demand your right to vote.
Expanded coverage:
councillorzamprogno.info/2021/08/31/when-will-the-nsw-local-government-elections-be/ ... See MoreSee Less
3 weeks ago
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There’s a bit of a Difference between a war and a pandemic I’m no expert but a dare say it was relatively safe in Australia to go and vote in 1940 and 1943 other than the Bombing of Darwin and Sydney where a lot of innocent people lost their lives. Yes we do have to vote but at a time where it safe for all to do so
Nathan I hope the council elections are not going to be delayed further as lot of people had enough of the present lot
as much as I would like to see less Liberal/Labor councillors, and some new independent people on council but it is a pandemic, if there is any chance of spreading covid on council election day, I am all for waiting till it's safe.
Well said, all I can say is that I feel Gladys Berejiklian will start to lift restrictions just before the election to make her look better. All The meantime people are committing suicide due to the lockdown.