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Happy 160th Birthday, Richmond School of Arts!
This month we celebrate the 160th anniversary of the opening of the Richmond School Of Arts, and I was pleased to represent the Mayor in attending a function on the weekend to commemorate this birthday.
Vale, Brett Wild (Scheyville National Park)
Recently I was saddened to hear of the passing of Brett Wild, Chairman of the Taskforce Veteran organisation and a tireless advocate for the restoration of the Scheyville Military Precinct at Scheyville National Park.
All the talks from the recent TEDx Hawkesbury event
Recently I was honoured to host the inaugural TEDxHawkesbury event at the Richmond School Of Arts. All the videos from the presenters are now online through the TEDx Global YouTube Channel and if you weren't able to attend the event, I commend them to you. Included in this post are my introductory remarks.
Major Update on Detached Dual Occupancy in the Hawkesbury
There have been many important developments on the question of permitting Dual Occupancy in the Hawkesbury, and I promised you an update.
How much debt is Hawkesbury Council in?
Do you know how much debt Council is in? No? Would you even know where to look?
With so much recent discussion around Council's financial management, I've managed to score a win for some transparency in the way we report this.
Hawkesbury Council bans two media organisations from the Chambers
Recently, Hawkesbury Council came to some very unwelcome national attention when the Mayor and the General Manager acted unilaterally to ban all 'representatives, volunteers or agents' of the Hawkesbury Gazette and of Hawkesbury Radio from attending Council meetings. I was appalled by this move.
The $72 million cost blowout for Richmond Pool
Richmond pool is at the end of its life, and few would argue that an upgrade is not needed. A recent visit taught Councillors that the main pool is leaking 15,000L of water a day.
But Council has a duty to manage its finances wisely. Any proposed improvement can't be rubber-stamped "at any price".
Oakville Public School pedestrian and traffic safety improvements a step closer
The business paper just published for next week’s Council meeting contains a significant update for those in the Oakville community. I have been fighting for upgrades to the footpaths, parking, traffic and pedestrian safety around Oakville Public School for many years. I am pleased to report is that detailed costings and engineering plans have finally been completed in an effort to make the project “shovel ready”, but the program is only partially funded.
Happy 215th Birthday to the Hawkesbury!
Happy birthday, Hawkesbury! Recently we celebrated the 215th anniversary of Governor Lachlan Macquarie proclaiming the names and locations of what we now know as the "Five Macquarie Towns".
Interview on Hawkesbury Radio – December 2025
Shaun Williams, presenter at the "Common Point" program at Hawkesbury Radio told me we were overdue for a chat. I thought this was a good opportunity to recap the year on Council. We covered a lot of territory! I'll be breaking this up in to more digestable fragments over the Christmas / January break.
Hawkesbury Council’s 39% Rate Hike
At its November 2025 meeting Hawkesbury Council decided in an 7:4 vote to hike everyone's rates by 39.4% over four years. I voted against it. Here's what you need to know.
The Australian Local Government Assembly 2025 (and why our funding model is broken!)
I've spent time this week at the Australian Local Government Association National Government Assembly down in Canberra.
It's a great opportunity to hear speakers and trade ideas about what works in Local Government. I was grateful for some release from my teaching work to go down and take place.
The highlight for me was being able to confront the Federal Minister for Local Government, Kristy McBain about the growing shortfall of funding Local Governments are facing and how this has deteriorated over the years.
Deputy Mayor Nathan Zamprogno
(opens in a new tab)The page of the Independent Deputy Mayor of Hawkesbury City Council, Nathan Zamprogno.
The Richmond/Windsor VIEW Club is a wonderful local club whose philanthropy supports underpriveleged youth get a leg up in life.
I was absolutely delighted to be invited to open their Spring/Summer Fashion fair yesterday at the hall at St Monicas in Richmond. I counted nearly 80 ladies in high spirits enjoying a wonderful spread of tea and cakes while their supermodels strutted the catwalk.
I love seeing this side of our community through groups who are devoted to helping others, in style!
Good news concerning Detached Dual Occupancy!
Following a motion I brought to Council in June of last year, Council have now commenced public exhibition of a policy that will allow owners of land in RU1, RU2, RU4, RU5, C3 and C4 zones to place a second, detached house on their lot without subdivision.
Public comment is sought until 29 October 2026.
This is a big step towards the adoption of this as our active policy.
I have lamented in comment I have made over the years about how slow progress has been towards this widely desired flexibility among Hawkesbury landowners.
A link to my most recent video on this subject is also below.
I encourage all people who have looked forward to this reform to examine what is now on exhibition and to provide comment through the "Your Hawkesbury, Your Say" website linked below.
www.yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au/planning-proposal
youtu.be/XGkm4kBx9bE?si=GSwsmiRs-4_gKCK_
Since May of this year, I have made my opposition to the ban placed on local media from attending Council meetings very clear. This ban included The Hawkesbury Gazette.
Councillor Mike Creed and I co-sponsored a motion to lift the ban which failed.
Since election to Deputy Mayor, I have taken the matter up with Mary Lyons-Buckett - Mayor of Hawkesbury stating that lifting the ban should be a priority. I said it would be a marker of the new leadership in the Chamber if we did this. I believed it would restore some trust in the wider community that Council is prepared to remain accountable and transparent in its functions.
This morning, Council has issued the following media statement, lifting the ban completely effective immediately.
I welcome this move, while making it clear that although I do not always agree with the Gazette's coverage of every issue, Council overstepped its mark in imposing this ban in the first place.
Good news from Wilberforce!
The Australiana Pioneer Village is a wonderful place. When was the last time you visited? If it's been a while or you've never been, please take your family for a real treat. One thing some people get wrong is that it's not a theme park; the buildings located there are genuinely historical artefacts, transplanted from many places and act as a living museum as well as a highly entertaining field trip.
Last night I attended their AGM and was heartened to hear that the place is absolutely thriving. The 2025-26 Annual Report detailed 22,503 visitors, including 5956 students and teachers from 58 schools as part of their education program.
Amusement rides (mini-railway and tractor-train hayride) totalled 29,951 ticketed rides. It remains an affordable, educational, wholesome day out for any family.
The Village runs markets, special events (Australia Day being the biggest), a zoo, food outlets, souvenir stores, local crafts, dramatic reenactments, period dress-up photos, damper making, and blacksmithing. It acts as a venue for hire for functions and filming.
This led to income of $590,443 over the year, which was overwhelmingly poured back into the preservation of the historic buildings and operations.
All this is led by a committee and base of 74 regular volunteers, and 34 additional lay members.
Hawkesbury Council has just concluded exhibition of a Conservation Management Plan to assist the Village plan for its future and the unique role it is serving to protect heritage of not just local but national significance.
I've been going to the Village since I was about 15 and it holds a special place in my heart. I congratulate the volunteer committee for their years of hard work, including through times where Council could have been a better friend to it (there was an abortive and misguided effort to sell the site years ago and turn it into a golf course!)
Current President Kevin Weeks and VP Laurie Archer presented life memberships to John and Gae Parmenter at the meeting, which is richly deserved.
Also present at the meeting were Robyn Preston MP, Mary Lyons-Buckett - Mayor of Hawkesbury, Councillor Danielle Wheeler (herself a life member), and Councillor Peter Ryan.
Please follow the Pioneer Village on their socials to be informed of their upcoming events.
Good news from Kurrajong!
The 1st Grose Vale Scout Group has a brand new hall on its historic site in Mill Road courtesy of a $1.6M grant from the State government.
This is a spacious, modern new facility that is also capable of being used by other community groups, or in times of emergency.
I'm a former Scout myself (1st Oakville, and proud of it) and I'm glad to see the movement well resourced.
I was joined by Robyn Preston MP (who was critical to the securing of these funds under the last government), Susan Templeman MP, Councillor Mike Creed, Karen Twitchett (CEO of Scouts NSW) and many other stakeholders and friends.
Well done, 1st Grose Vale!
Good news from North Richmond!
This morning I joined with colleagues and stakeholders of the North Richmond Community Centre to break ground on a redevelopment collaboratively funded between the Federal Government ($2.5M), State ($23.97M) and Hawkesbury Council.
Expect big changes as work gets underway, but plans will ensure the centre continues to operate during the build.
I was joined by Mary Lyons-Buckett - Mayor of Hawkesbury, Robyn Preston MP, Susan Templeman MP, Councillor Danielle Wheeler, Councillor Mike Creed, Councillor Peter Ryan, Les Sheather, Jill Reardon and many friends and users of the Centre.
This month we celebrate the 160th anniversary of the opening of the Richmond School Of Arts, and I was pleased to represent the Mayor in attending a function on the weekend with Susan Templeman MP, my colleague Councillor Mike Creed and other distinguished guests.
This building and what it represents means a lot to me, and I've grown up in and around it like many locals attendings weddings, wakes, shows, elections and civic meetings. As I say in this speech, it's a jewel in our crown. We should be proud of its history and grateful to the generations of trustees and committees who have ensured its upkeep.
Happy birthday, RSOA!
Yesterday was a perfect day to enjoy the Clarendon Classic at the Hawkesbury Showground, and I was priveleged to officially open the event on behalf of the Mayor.
It's a celebration of tractors, vintage cars, trucks, models and historic stationary and traction engines. The oldest one I could find was from the 1880s!
It's on again today (Sunday) and is bigger and better than ever!
Congratulations to the Sydney Antique Machinery Club Inc. for 35 years.
Ausreenact
AMVCS - Australian Ex Military Vehicle Collectors Society Inc.
NSW RFS - Wilberforce Brigade
