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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.
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
Perfect Spring weather was the best setting for The Secret Garden Community Hub fair day today, and I attended along with Mary Lyons-Buckett - Mayor of Hawkesbury and Councillor Danielle Wheeler to enjoy the festivities.
If you've never been, you're missing out on a hidden gem in the Hawkesbury. Part café, part nursery, part children's playground and petting zoo, part thrift store, part community project... it defies a single label, and is nestled in a picturesque corner of the Western Sydney University Hawkesbury campus.
It is also a home for one of our Hawkesbury Mens Sheds, and the local chapter of Riding for the Disabled.
I was impressed by the passion of organiser Roxanne Gonclaves from North West Disability Services in expanding the site.
𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆, 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝘂𝗯𝗯𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗯𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲-𝗳𝗼𝗿-𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗯𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲.
𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳. 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝟮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟯 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺, 𝘀𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟴% 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲.
"Dear Councillors,
I refer to recent requests for clarification regarding the removal, and in some cases replacement, of public place bins across the Hawkesbury Local Government Area. The following information is provided for your awareness.
Council received $400,000 in NSW EPA funding to deliver the Hawkesbury Litter Prevention Plan 2025-2030, with $85,000 allocated in Year 1 for the upgrade of public place bins that are no longer fit for purpose.
The Council's Bin Infrastructure Business Case recommends the removal of serviced cradle bins across the LGA because they:
Contribute to litter caused by wind and animals.
Require higher servicing and maintenance.
Create workplace health and safety risks associated with manual handling.
Reduce network efficiency.
Limit opportunities to relocate bins to higher-priority locations.
Importantly, this initiative is not a one-for-one replacement program. Council's position is that bins should only be replaced where there is a demonstrated need, and current funding is insufficient to replace all existing cradle bins.
Bin Audit Findings
A public place bin audit undertaken in early 2026 identified:
473 public place bins across the LGA.
88 cradle bins, of which:
11 will be addressed through other Council projects.
77 are included in the current review.
To date:
36 cradle bins, one timber enclosure, and one Sulo bin have been removed without replacement.
This represents approximately 8% of the public bin network.
Removal decisions were based on site-specific evidence, including low usage, inappropriate waste disposal, and a lack of demonstrated need.
Staff found that some bins were regularly used for household, renovation and commercial waste disposal, resulting in illegal dumping and increased maintenance costs.
Community Feedback and Monitoring
Post-removal inspections have generally identified little or no increase in litter. Feedback received has largely related to uncertainty about why bins were removed, rather than evidence of overflowing bins or inadequate waste capacity.
Accessibility impacts have also been considered. For example, the removal of a bin on Kable Street improved pedestrian access, particularly for people using prams and mobility aids, while maintaining access to nearby waste disposal facilities.
Staff will continue to monitor locations where bins have been removed, reassess sites where evidence demonstrates increased littering or insufficient waste capacity, and base future bin installation decisions on site observations and demonstrated need.
Should the proposed public place recycling changes be approved, up to $45,000 in additional funding may become available during Years 2 and 3 of the program to address priority replacement requirements. However, it is not proposed to automatically replace every cradle bin that has been removed.
Specific Locations Raised in Recent Social Media Commentary
Wilberforce Shopping Centre
One cradle bin was removed and not replaced as three other bins are available within the shopping centre. The removed bin was located adjacent to a clothing donation bin and was regularly used for dumping rather than general waste disposal.
Kable Street, Windsor
Four cradle bins were removed and not replaced, as nine bins are available along George Street and a further eight bins are located throughout Windsor Mall. Sulo bins were not considered a suitable replacement due to the limited footpath width.
Richmond Public School
One cradle bin was removed and not replaced. While moderate litter volumes were observed, this was not due to bin overflow. Staff found the bin was rarely used and that littering behaviours, rather than a lack of infrastructure, were the primary issue.
Pitt Town Cemetery
One cradle bin was removed and not replaced due to low litter volumes. Retaining a high-capacity waste asset in a secluded location was considered likely to encourage illegal dumping.
Richmond North Public School
One cradle bin was removed and not replaced. Similar to Richmond Public School, site assessments indicated low bin usage and littering behaviour as the primary concern.
Ham Common
Three cradle bins were removed and not replaced, with four other bins remaining available in the area. Usage levels across the site are relatively low.
Windsor Post Office
One cradle bin was removed and not replaced. The site is serviced by nine bins along George Street and eight bins in Windsor Mall. Litter volumes do not justify a permanent high-capacity waste asset at this location.
Colbee Park
One cradle bin was removed and replaced with a bin stand and Sulo bin.
McQuade Park
Three cradle bins were removed and not replaced. Ten bins remain within the park, in addition to nine bins located along George Street.
Memorial Park (opposite Council Administration Building)
Two cradle bins were removed and not replaced. Ten bins are available within the McQuade Park and nine along George Street. The location does not generate sufficient litter to justify additional high-capacity waste infrastructure.
South Windsor Netball Courts
One cradle bin was removed and not replaced, as a Sulo bin is already installed immediately adjacent to the site.
The removal of cradle bins forms part of an evidence-based and strategic approach to improving litter prevention, workplace safety, network efficiency and accessibility. Decisions are guided by audit findings and the endorsed Bin Infrastructure Business Case, with ongoing monitoring to ensure community needs continue to be met."
It's been a good week. Tomorrow will be the tenth anniversary of my election to Council.
Last night I was elected by my peers to be the Deputy Mayor of Hawkesbury City for the next two years.
I spent today in a pleasant daze, pinching myself about how it all happened.
I'm truly humbled at the gesture of trust this represents, and I will do my best to live up to your expectations.
Firstly, to the people of the Hawkesbury, who deserve a government that listens and acts on their concerns; But also to my colleagues who voted for me, including unexpected support I was surprised to receive.
I congratulate Mary Lyons-Buckett - Mayor of Hawkesbury and the outgoing Mayor Les Sheather. Both are decent human beings and both have their heart in the right place.
There is work to do now to deliver infrastructure, fix the roads, and build a new sense of trust and engagement between locals and Council. That work starts now.
A recent Hawkesbury Gazette story cites questions put to the Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig, at a recent Budget Estimates hearing in the NSW Parliament.
The questions put to the Minister, and also to the Deputy Secretary of the Office of Local Government relate to Hawkesbury Council's media ban. It is worth remarking that both men reaffirmed that a Council banning any media organisation is wrong.
This is what I've been saying all along. We (governments) don't get to pick and choose what free speech people exercise about elected bodies. This is fundamental to democracy.
Here are the remarks presented verbatim.
I am grateful to John Ruddick MLC for pursuing these questions.
A story in today's Daily Telegraph refers to a proposed 735 dwelling development at Belmont Park, next to St John of God.
The story says the applicants have "bypassed Council" but the story is incomplete.
Councillors never voted on this, despite the requirement for all proposals requiring rezonings to come before us as a Planning Proposal. It was listed on the business paper for 11 June 2024 and then withdrawn before the meeting commenced.
It had also been considered at HLPP (local Planning Panel - not Councillors) meetings in April 2024 and June 2026. On the first occasion the HLPP said the proposal was undercooked and "premature" with respect to the documentation provided. On the latter (the cause of the applicant claiming the proposal has been rejected), the HLPP stated
"For the matter to be referred to Gateway, the Planning Proposal must have strategic merit. This conclusion could not be reached by the Panel on the information provided in the Council Officers report. In fact, the opposite conclusion could be reached based on the Greater Sydney Region Plan, Metropolitan Rural Area Plan, Western Sydney District Plan, Hawkesbury Local Strategic Planning Study and the Draft Sydney Plan 2026."
My own view concurs with the HLPP: This proposal not only lacks strategic merit, but would ruin the rural landscape around St John of God and around Grose Vale. Issues concerning traffic have not been addressed and the project documentation is poor.
Here is the de-paywalled DT story from today's paper:
archive.is/20260906210403/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/developers-bypass-council-in...
Here is a summary of the relevant documents and citations to debate on this issue:
ai.councillorzamprogno.info/shared_chat.html#share=BjyE2fk_DLzBbPPxqmjQMtM69PuDzgUW81uFHqbcRzw
