



Subscribe for updates
Latest news
May 18, 2023
Council just squashed debate on protecting Koala habitats and investigating excessive land clearing
At Council tonight, a motion was brought to look at whether a land-clearing policy introduced 18 months ago has resulted in excessive felling of wildlife habitats including for Koalas. Disappointingly, some Councils not only rejected the initiative, but moved to gag debate and prevent some from representing their community.
April 16, 2023
Windsor Mall – Our obligation to get things right
Council has an obligation to get things right with the upgrade of Windsor Mall. Many people have concerns with the plans that have been advanced.
October 17, 2022
Hawkesbury floods of October 2022 – Time lapse videos
Here is a compilation of time-lapse footage of nine different locations around the Hawkesbury district, showing the effects of the October floods that struck us recently. Each location has had up to a week's events compressed into under thirty seconds, comprising ~64,000 frames run together.
September 27, 2022
St Albans, Lower Portland, Lower Macdonald and Colo deserve better of Hawkesbury Council
Every part of the Hawkesbury is important and deserving of effective representation and services. But the Hawkesbury is a big place, and residents of more remote areas sometimes feel like they aren't being heard. On the weekend I joined the Mayor and six other Councillors on a ~200k road trip to visit the communities of St Albans, Lower Macdonald, Lower Portland and Colo.
September 25, 2022
From the town of Windsor to the House of Windsor – Will the Australian republican debate be rekindled?
Amidst an outpouring of gratitude for the Queen's life of service, support for Australia remaining a Constitutional Monarchy has surged. Talking about whether institutions and symbols continue to reflect our values and loyalties is healthy. I wonder whether the passing of Queen Elizabeth will prompt a resurgence of the Republican debate in Australia.
September 17, 2022
Update on the Grose River Bridge project – the Wilcox Home saved – for now
The Grose River Bridge project has caused controversy due to the baffling insistence of the developers that the road linking Grose Vale Road and Springwood Road plough through the home of the Wilcox family.
The motion before Council this week was to approve the VPA, condemning the home to demolition. I moved an amendment that called for more work to explore a road alignment that saves the house. I am pleased that this passed. Watch the video for more information.
July 28, 2022
The debacle that is the Grose River Bridge project
When the Redbank developers promised they'd build a bridge across the Grose River back in 2012, they said the bridge would be completed by the time the development had sold 641 lots. It's now ten years later, the Redbank estate has sold over 700 lots, and not a single sod has been turned. I am unhappy, and you should be too...
July 27, 2022
Should we lower Warragamba Dam instead of raising it?
Last week the Mayor advanced a motion at Council that calls on the State Government to change legislation regulating the operation of Warragamba Dam to permit the Dam to be lowered in times of likely high-rainfall which will provide a degree of flood mitigation ability.
I supported the motion, but I want to be very clear that lowering the *operating level* of the dam is not a substitute for *raising* the dam wall, which remains the best way to properly mitigate floods. Here's why...
July 15, 2022
The Australian Local Government Assembly – What Hawkesbury can learn from a bigger picture, especially as it relates to natural disasters
Just before the floods overtook us all, I attended the Australian Local Government Assembly (ALGA) down in Canberra, an annual conference that pulls together the 537 local governments around Australia. Our focus is the bigger picture of local government as it relates to the nation as a whole – a perspective that I believe my colleagues often misunderstand because they express little interest in the subject. Presciently, a lot of what we heard about was about the increasing cost of natural disasters, and the disproportionate burden placed on Councils in the repair and cleanup.
July 6, 2022
The Hawkesbury-Nepean flood of July 2022 – the worst since 1978
July 5th 2022 represented the worst day of flooding in the Hawkesbury in 44 years. This flood exceeded 13.93m, beating both the March flood (13.71m) and the 2021 flood (12.91m), each measured at the Windsor gauge.
I toured the district, commiserated with locals, and took note of what I saw. This video represents the waters as they peaked. Councillors are being briefed daily by Council staff and we're proactive in guiding the response to the emergency.
July 2, 2022
How the community rallied to clean up Pitt Town creeks after the floods
Two months ago I raised the terrible condition of Bardenarang Creek at Pitt Town after the March floods. Well, the community has rallied magnificently to help clean up the creek through the co-ordination of the resident's group, Council, and volunteer organisation Disaster Relief Australia and their corporate partners.
July 2, 2022
Long-delayed road sealing program gets underway
Recently residents of Vineyard and Oakville witnessed the welcome sight of the dirt sections of Old Stock Route Road and Brennans Dam Road being sealed. Finally! I had been agitating for this since my election in 2016.

On Monday I was please to join Kathryn from Pulse 89.9FM Radio to discuss the debate at our Council meeting last week about land clearing and the need to protect our remaining Koala habitats from destruction.
Here is the audio of the wide ranging interview where Councillor Mary Lyons-Buckett and I explained the rationale behind her Notice of Motion, and what happened when the initiative was disappointingly squashed and the debate gagged by the other Councillors. ... See MoreSee Less
1 week ago
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
Comment on Facebook Community ...
Thank you for standing up for the community..
78.7% of koala habitat in the Hawkesbury was destroyed in the Black Summer Bushfires. Hawkesbury Council’s decision on Wednesday to do nothing to prevent or even measure the destruction of what is left is now being more widely criticised in the media, as it should. ... See MoreSee Less
2 weeks ago
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
Comment on Facebook 1621812811450319_706260808174060
The Council had already adopted to undertake a comprehensive Koala Mapping survey. Labor Councillors voted for this to happen.The meeting last Wednesday was to ask the Council to hurry up. Labor Councillors did not gag discussion . and are still supportive of the Koala Mapping Survey . These are the facts
Nathan, once again, you are not being truthful with the facts.
Very good comments clearly showing the truth of things. The truth is seen and understood out in the community. Well done Councillor Nathan Zamprogno and others standing up against developers.
Updates 🩷wee.so/hlvf9
Exactly Nathan.
View more comments
At Council tonight, a motion was brought to look at whether a land-clearing policy introduced 18 months ago has resulted in excessive felling of wildlife habitats including for Koalas. Disappointingly, some Councillors not only rejected the initiative, but moved to gag debate and prevent their colleagues from representing their community.
It is my belief that it is possible to be both a good conservative and a good conservationist. I am disappointed that some of my colleagues do not share this view.
This is what you need to know about what happened.
I have commented on this matter before when it came to Council in October 2021, and again in early 2022 when the new Council rammed through the land clearing policy against the advice of experts. More information at the links:
councillorzamprogno.info/2023/05/18/council-just-squashed-debate-on-protecting-koala-habitats-and...
councillorzamprogno.info/2021/10/13/the-rural-boundary-clearing-code-how-do-we-balance-fire-safet... ... See MoreSee Less
2 weeks ago
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
Comment on Facebook 704449021688572
Well said, Nathan. I’m not sure why we even bother sometimes. I was sickened by last night’s meeting.
Get your facts straight Nathan - Labor Councillors DID NOT join with Liberal Councillors to push through the adoption of the Rural Boundary Clearing Code.
Well called out Councillor Nathan Zamprogno! The motion from Councillor Mary Lyons-Buckett was not given the opportunity for proper discussion, and I concur that debate was stifled. Thank you Nathan, Councillor Danielle Wheeler and Councillor Shane Djuric for supporting the motion from Councillor Mary Lyons-Buckett as it was proposed. The actions of the Labor councillors in supporting the Liberal Councillors (plus Councillor Les Sheather) in opposing this important motion are shocking, and will be noted by many. The opportunity to align with a more informed and responsible approach on these matters was not taken up last night. We will not forget…
Stifling debate on important topics is such poor form - but one we’ve come to see around this topic in particular. I hope people watch this meeting and see who stands for what in this community.
A very bad outcome for this community. Same as the removal of 'views and vistas' from planning document by the same councillors. Appalling and definitely with an agenda in mind.
Very well said Nathan. I was particularly unimpressed that those councillors used the call for the vote to shut down debate while at the same time calling for that “motion” to be seconded and voted on. The chair should have been aware that a call for the vote to be put does not require a seconder or a vote - the Code of Meeting Practice is very specific that the call should immediately result in the vote being put, so the Chair was more out of order than he claims you were. The outcome was obvious as soon as the chair started selecting speakers for and against in turn, so that Conolly became the second speaker against and called for the vote as soon as he got his 2 cents worth in. Disgraceful orchestration, and not even disguised as democracy. It seems there’s little can be done to achieve better outcomes for our community while the petty politics dominates. Little wonder that even councillors are now asking “what’s the point?”
A blind man can see what is happening. Time to sack that bunch. More than half the council are hiding things that if the public knew no way would they be on council. In fact a few of them should be arrested
You need more intelligent and community invested members on the council, ones who care enough to put the effort into the research required to do the job properly and with due diligence. I’m only seeing it evident in a small handful. Whilst I agree that land owners in the Hawkesbury should be given more freedom to remove trees from their properties than obtaining approval on a tree by tree basis, the current practice resulting in such indiscriminate felling is fool hardy, irresponsible and so very short sighted it boggles my mind. You must all feel like giving up - but if you do, they are easy victors. Pity there’s not more outrage from the community but it seems the community has a voice in theory only,, not often in practice, when it comes to disagreeing with any actions taken by council. Your voice should not have been shut down, period.
Yes might be time to investigate vested interests.
Well said Nathan. Thank you for putting it out there with a clear explanation.
What is wrong with this council. They seem to have NO regard towards the future and our environment Going from Bad to WORSE
You are representing the Community. You have a responsibility to be accurate and honest with the facts.
As for the pathetic ‘fact check’ on the other site, well you can fool some of the people some of the time…….
I have greatly enjoyed time away from the toxicity of council but I did tune in last Wednesday. Now Hawkesbury Labor have made a bizarre post that is frankly an admission that they have not carried out their responsibilities to make an informed decision on Wednesdays motion. They decided the motion was flawed, didn’t take into account any of the points made by public address or councillors, proposed no alternatives, shut down the debate, voted and pissed off. And now they have the hide to accuse others of playing politics and wasting time. They voted against the RBCC last year but have now basically voted for it despite evidence the RBCC is being abused by developers, as predicted.
Thanks Nathan..
Peter Nicholson Conolly is a grub just like his handler the Mayor and the less that can be said about that thing the better.
View more comments
I love my Mum. I have no idea where I'd be without her. She's absolutely the spine of our family. If you're enduring Mother's Day without a Mum, I'm thinking of you today.
Here she is tonight at dinner with her favourite child* and her favourite grandchild. ... See MoreSee Less
2 weeks ago
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
Comment on Facebook I love my Mum. I ...
*potentially contested claim.
Heavily contested!!!
Love the photo - I am sure she is very proud of you & Liam
Great photo Nathan
I agree with you 100%. I had a nice day with my parents yesterday and let mum have a relaxed day
View more comments
This is a wonderful family enterprise that has been run by the Spiteri family for multiple generations. All the family are involved and it was bustling today. Beautiful flower arrangements, baskets and home made cookies.
Head to Oakville Road (address in post) for a last-minute Mother's Day gift! ... See MoreSee Less
This content isn't available at the moment
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people or changed who can see it, or it's been deleted.3 weeks ago
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
Comment on Facebook When this happens, ...
Just got some lovely flowers and cookies highly recommended they get plenty of fresh flowers 🌺 to choose from according to ur budget and friendly service too 💐💐💐😊
Pauline June great to see your parents are doing well. What lovely flowers
Thankyou beautiful local’s for your continued support each year for our once a year event during Mother’s Day 💐 Mum and Dad surely appreciate it. Hope to see you all next year… There are still some available flowers it anyone needs, just drop on by.
Very good. Will share this with my Oakville based friends
I have an association with our local dramatic society, the Richmond Players Inc, and they are seeking cast and crew for their upcoming production of a locally written musical about the life of the bushranger, Captain Moonlite.
Are you, or is someone you know, interested in the theatre? Doing plays with the Players has given me some of the most wonderful memories of my life. Get on board!LOVE A SECOND CHANCE! We have an extra audition this Thursday night (May 11) for our next show "Captain Moonlite". If you are keen then please turn up at 7.30pm at our audition site in Richmond: The Hawkesbury Skills Centre (“The Stables”), 23 Bosworth St, Richmond. Let us know you're coming along. Send us a message or pop your name in a comment section below
Be part of a NSW premiere! Throw your hat in the ring, even if you think you may not be quite right for the role. You never know, you just may be!!
If you can't make this date, please let us know with a comment, DM or email Richmond Players ASAP.
Read all the show details here: www.richmondplayers.com.au/captain-moonlite.html
Show Sample: youtu.be/nVIv0IQJ0ko
#RichmondPlayers #CaptainMoonlite #Auditions ... See MoreSee Less
3 weeks ago
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
Comment on Facebook LOVE A SECOND ...
Today, we celebrate the historic occasion of the coronation of a new Sovereign of the Commonwealth.
The remarks I made seven months ago on the passing of Her Majesty the Queen remain relevant.
Here's what it boils down to – agree or disagree as you please:
Politicians make very poor heads of state. Look at the scandals that have surrounded various overseas Presidents who are heads of state and ask yourself if that's what we want in Australia.
That's what we'd get if we were a Republic.
The Monarch, as the head of the Commonwealth and as our King or Queen, holds both a ceremonial and constitutional role. They act as patron or head of hundreds of organisations as varied as the RFS, Life savers, Duke of Ed, charities, and as head of our Defence Forces.
Much of what is praiseworthy, charitable or noble about our society is encouraged and embodied in the Monarch – far better than any self-serving politician could. And on the rare occasion the Sovereign's powers intersect our democratic processes, it is always to uphold and protect our democracy. All the powers a potential despot might seek to abuse are sent to the other side of the world and given to a person for whom custom and precedent forbids their use.
Charles III will be a good King, and the generations coming after him shape to be equally good and worthy of our allegiance.
Charles took up many causes before they were trendy. Sustainability. Environmentalism. That architecture be beautiful rather than brutal or utilitarian. That nations can reconcile their differences by acknowledging a common bond of membership in the Commonwealth to work for peace.
If this is what the King exemplifies, count me in.
I look forward to the head of the House of Windsor to visit us at the town bearing his family name on his next visit to Australia.
Long Live the King! ... See MoreSee Less
4 weeks ago
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
Comment on Facebook On the same day the ...
I watched the coronation last night and enjoyed every moment and loved all the pomp and pageantry, Then I think of having a president, who would really want to replace that with a Biden, or a Trump or a Putin or even some of the prime ministers we have had.
My blessings come from being born Australian and within a constitutional monarchy - I would not wish for the weight of a thousand years of tradition and of such a hard tenure as the King's, nor would I trust it to a here-today, gone-tomorrow politician. In my eye's the monarch is Public Servant 1...and this member of the public is thankful for it. History and tradition matter deeply, they ground and direct us - like me our history is not perfect or without stain but you bet I am proud to be Australian and part of the Commonwealth. God Save The King.
Well said Nathan
Timeline photos ... See MoreSee Less
1 month ago
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
Comment on Facebook 1621812811450319_691746066292201
I’ve had a long association with the Richmond Players dramatic society, having trod the boards and directing a number of shows with them over the years.
So it was specially delightful to join them tonight at the final performance of their 70th anniversary show, “This is your life” at the historic Richmond School Of Arts.
Old friends and new talents (including some of my students from the Richmond Centre of Excellence!) gave us a clever medley of classics from past productions and even had us singing along.
A thoroughly lovely evening, capped with a moving tribute to Players no longer with us like the indomitable Dorothy Phipps, who passed in February.
I can’t wait for their next production, “Captain Moonlight” in August. ... See MoreSee Less
1 month ago
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
Comment on Facebook 1621812811450319_691320153001459
Great to see you albeit briefly! But you should have joined us up there! 😀
A fabulous show, clever and witty with a very talented cast. So pleased my daughter performed in this special show. Thankyou for your contribution and to all who have kept the Players alive and entertained us over the years. An important community asset, hopefully will keep on keeping on.
The ANZAC service I love going to the most is always the one at Pitt Town.
Judging by the excellent turnout of young people, plus delegations from schools, scouts, guides and cadets, the legacy is in good hands.
Kudos to the ANZAC committee of the Pitt Town Progress Association for making it happen, who have grown the event from modest beginnings in 2012.
Our commemoration transcends the remembrance of any one military action. It represents a public act of respect of the ANZAC virtues of courage, service, mateship and endurance which comes from a deep wellspring within our national character.
When we say “We will remember them”, we remember those who served and the fallen. But it’s also a pledge to fulfil the same spirit towards one another.
The way we stand by one another in times of trial — pandemic, flood or fire — is a civil manifestation of that spirit.
Lest we forget. ... See MoreSee Less
1 month ago
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
Comment on Facebook 1621812811450319_688040073329467
I support Hawkesbury local businesses, and I hope you do too!
I’m renovating my house in Richmond at the moment, and it’s worth shouting out to some fantastic businesses who are helping.
Andrew Last from Kurrajong Tree Services provided the best value felling a huge White Cedar growing in the wrong spot and damaging my fence. He ground the stump and took two trucks of chip to mum and dad's at Oakville.
Darryl Bills from Bills Property Maintenance (Bligh Park) did an expert job mending the fence, perfectly matching and replacing the broken panels and re-setting posts.
Edward Dirks from Hills District Alarms based in South Windsor replaced my 40yo alarm system with a modern Bosch unit.
Graham Zerk is a local draftsman and his daughter Rebecca is a town planner. As a pair, they have been wonderful in helping design my house extension and begin the process of lodging the DA. Their office is in Bowman St, Richmond.
Finally, Boyd Bilanenko and his crew from Boyd's Air Conditioning Services (Oakville) is installing a new ducted air conditioning system.
I recommend all these businesses.
I’m still looking to secure the services of a builder. Message me.
Kurrajong Tree Services:
0434227055
andrew@kurrajongtreeservices.com.au
Darryl Bills Property Maintenance:
0419263575
darrylbillsmaintenance@gmail.com
Hills District Alarms, South Windsor:
0245 727 207
hdasecurity@bigpond.com
Graham and Rebecca Zerk:
02 4578 8844
zerk@netspace.net.au
Boyd's Air Conditioning Services:
0413 115330
boyd@boydsair.com.au ... See MoreSee Less
1 month ago
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
Comment on Facebook 1621812811450319_687355690064572
Thanks for the shout out Nathan - it’s been such a pleasure to work with you!!! And your techpertise with our printer has been greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks Nathan. Always good to back local businesses for all, wherever they are.
Graham & Rebecca will guide you through the many obstacles that may come your way. Kirby Dawson Building Group
Thank you Nathan.
Andrew is the best. He did some work for me and was super, reliable and good value.
Great work Nathan let me know when you need your turf done
What a BRILLIANT idea Nathan Zamprogno ! This could if adopted by all renovators literally transform the painful process for home owners while REWARDING ETHICAL BUSINESSES! Thankyou Nathan!
Thanks Nathan! We're after a tree guy 🙌🙌
I own the oldest local window furnishing company in the Hawkesbury Nathan if you need any curtains blinds shutters etc. I also have the largest range in the Hawkesbury.
Cash for comments? 🤣
View more comments
Deerubbin Park, down by the river at the back of Windsor is a hidden gem in our district.
Today, I was pleased to join the Mayor, State Member and Councillors to open a huge $1.3M upgrade to the park, which includes a new paved carpark, lighting, bollards and a wonderful off-leash dog agility area.
This is what happens when we follow through and properly fund works. The Masterplan was first developed in July 2020 for the 8.6ha site. Sadly, two major floods delayed works and it’s so pleasing to see things come to fruition today.
I will continue to advocate for park funding around the Hawkesbury, and especially for Colbee Park at McGraths Hill, which I think should be next.
Sarah McMahon - Mayor of Hawkesbury
Robyn Preston MP
Windsor Rotary
Hawkesbury City Council ... See MoreSee Less
1 month ago
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email
Comment on Facebook 1621812811450319_683592337107574
Well done Councillor Nathan Zamprogno and the Hawkesbury Council.
Great advocacy Councillor Nathan Zamprogno
When will the Great Windsor River Walk be fixed please? The path is in desperate need of repair where the riverbank has washed away along the Terrace.
i look forward to checking it out but when will the work around the river start what do council have planned for devastating foreshore
dog agility area is great
Is there facepainting today?
it was great. we visited on the weekend, but the open waste bin is a bit of a planning oversight when it comes to dog 💩 and summer ☀️ 🙃
Wouldn’t it be nice if the river’s name was changed back to its original Aboriginal name
There’s a theme in the comments here. It is that we like the park but when are you going to get on with the real work? Action v. photo-ops.
View more comments