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The Sydney ant-hill – A modern tragedy

Should the Hawkesbury become part of the Sydney ant-hill?

Sydney has a problem: An addiction to endless growth.
It's gradually eroding the things that make areas on the fringes of our major cities such lovely places to live, such as the Hawkesbury district in north-west Sydney. The March edition of the Hawkesbury Post contains a text version of this article.


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Sealing Packer Road, Lower Portland

Council a step closer to honouring its pledge to seal Packer Road

Among the proposed projects Hawkesbury Council promised to fund with a 2018 rate-hike was the sealing of Packer Road, a key east-west road linking the Putty Road travelling north from Wilberforce, and the river communities of Lower Portland, Cumberland Reach and Sackville. With no commencement visible, residents were rightly upset when a report to Council's February 2024 meeting recommended the project be shelved. This is what happened next.


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Potential map of housing changes (Hawkesbury)

The NSW Government’s push to build 8 story flats in your suburb

The NSW Labor government is targeting a range of suburbs for massive new urban growth and unprecedented densification. They’ve announced a proposed policy of massive flat-building to meet a target of 377,000 new homes by 2029.


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Upon leaving the Liberal Party

This week I was informed that I had been expelled from the Liberal Party, an organisation I have been a member of and servant to for 32 years. This follows a years-long orchestrated campaign of bullying from figures within the Party.


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The Windsor Paddlesports Club Grant saved after hanging by a thread!

Due to inaction by Council, a $801,218 grant to build a clubhouse in Macquarie Park (on the river opposite the Terrace in Windsor) for Paddlesports and Dragon boating was hanging by a thread. I raised my concerns...


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VIEW Club – a worthy local voluntary organisation

VIEW provides an opportunity for women from all walks of life to meet regularly, establish lasting friendships and help disadvantaged Australian children through supporting the work of children’s charity, The Smith Family.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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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.


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All the planning is coming together.
Now is the time to rally #Windsor businesses & residents.

Get on board & start decorating your home or business.

The Inaugural Gas Lamp Festival is being held to celebrate the heritage of Windsor. Held over the June Long Weekend there will be lots happening around the town.

Windsor, NSW - Gas Lamp Capital of Australia
William Sugg & Co. Ltd
Hawkesbury Visitor Information Centre
Hawkesbury Visitors Centre
Sarah McMahon - Mayor of Hawkesbury
Hawkesbury Events
Hey Hawkesbury
Hawkesbury Tourism Collaborative
Hawkesbury Radio
Hawkesbury Business Alliance
Hawkesbury District Independent Magazine
The Hawkesbury Gazette
Hawkesbury Phoenix
Hawkesbury Post
I Love Windsor
Pulse 89.9FM Radio
River FM 87.6
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2 days ago

Tonight was the launch of the travelling Archibald Prize exhibition at the Hawkesbury Regional Gallery. As always there was a selection of properly good art and other stuff that makes you pull faces and wonder why. A really good turn out. I thoroughly recommend you drop in and have a look before it leaves on April 28. 

My picks were outstanding portraits of Michael Simms by Zaachariaha Fielding and of Claudia Karvan by Laura Jones.

Tonight was the launch of the travelling Archibald Prize exhibition at the Hawkesbury Regional Gallery. As always there was a selection of properly good art and other stuff that makes you pull faces and wonder why. A really good turn out. I thoroughly recommend you drop in and have a look before it leaves on April 28.

My picks were outstanding portraits of Michael Simms by Zaachariaha Fielding and of Claudia Karvan by Laura Jones.
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4 days ago

This is the catchment map for Oakville Public School. Youll notice that it stretches east of Boundary Road and into the new development areas of Box Hill / Gables / Carmel.

Development includes levies (Section 7.11, 7.12 etc) for the improvement of local infrastructure, including schools.
Unfortunately, these levies are collected by the Council in question, in this case The Hills Shire Council. Despite asking the Hills Mayor and GM three years ago whether what is called a nexus argument could be used to send some of those funds our way, nothing has happened. 

(Update: after talking with Hills Council who reached out, they point out that the 2018 contribution plan placed no requirement to collect tax for school improvements or footpaths, regardless of where the school for this area was located. Thus, it isn’t a case of them not handing over money that should have been collected for this kind of improvement, it’s the fault of the previous State government who told them they never had to. And credit where it’s due, Hills is paying well over 50% of the cost of upgrading Boundary Rd.)
Back to the original post…

These new residents are sending their children to Oakville school and gaining benefit from our infrastructure, because there is no public primary school in their area and likely never will be, even if Santa Sofia isnt your cup of tea.

I identified, and even had costed, works to improve the footpaths and widen the road to improve parking at the school, which is as busy as ever. The footpath works along Oakville and Ogden Roads would only be about $62K (well, 2021 prices...)

Now, the congestion is worse, and I am again in receipt of requests for help from the Oakville Public School P&C. I will again engage Council staff, as well as our State and Federal representatives to see if something can be done.

Susan Templeman MP
Robyn Preston MP
Dr Peter Gangemi - Mayor of The Hills Shire Council
Councillor Mitchell Blue - The Hills Shire Council

This is the catchment map for Oakville Public School. You'll notice that it stretches east of Boundary Road and into the new development areas of Box Hill / Gables / Carmel.

Development includes levies (Section 7.11, 7.12 etc) for the improvement of local infrastructure, including schools.
Unfortunately, these levies are collected by the Council in question, in this case The Hills Shire Council. Despite asking the Hills Mayor and GM three years ago whether what is called a 'nexus argument' could be used to send some of those funds our way, nothing has happened.

(Update: after talking with Hills Council who reached out, they point out that the 2018 contribution plan placed no requirement to collect tax for school improvements or footpaths, regardless of where the school for this area was located. Thus, it isn’t a case of them not handing over money that should have been collected for this kind of improvement, it’s the fault of the previous State government who told them they never had to. And credit where it’s due, Hills is paying well over 50% of the cost of upgrading Boundary Rd.)
Back to the original post…

These new residents are sending their children to Oakville school and gaining benefit from our infrastructure, because there is no public primary school in their area and likely never will be, even if Santa Sofia isn't your cup of tea.

I identified, and even had costed, works to improve the footpaths and widen the road to improve parking at the school, which is as busy as ever. The footpath works along Oakville and Ogden Roads would only be about $62K (well, 2021 prices...)

Now, the congestion is worse, and I am again in receipt of requests for help from the Oakville Public School P&C. I will again engage Council staff, as well as our State and Federal representatives to see if something can be done.

Susan Templeman MP
Robyn Preston MP
Dr Peter Gangemi - Mayor of The Hills Shire Council
Councillor Mitchell Blue - The Hills Shire Council
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2 weeks ago

Comment on Facebook 1621812811450319_913616994105106

You’ve probably already looked at this, but section 7.14 speaks to this issue, and could be something to look into 🙂

What a mess & such a danger to everyone. It should be that infrastructure/ roads should be all put into place, paid for by councils, developers & governments, if they allow this many people to move into an area. All housing being passed, living so close together that u could pass the sugar bowl out the window to your neighbour. It's redicious & money making for everyone except the community that it impacts. This is terrible for all the Oakville school community. And you don't want an accident to happen before they end up doing something. All these houses shouldn't be allowed to be built until all these ( such important things like schools, are planned properly). The kiss & drop is a good idea. My kids went to Norwest Christian College in Riverstone, & they have the kiss & drop. The road at the moment out the front of Oakville school, the big hump of tar raised up needs fixing or it will cause accidents.

This is exactly the sort of work we want our councillors doing. Thank you for sharing and please hound the Hills until they pay up.

The school needs a kiss and drop zone. Most working parents, drop their kids off and leave. It’s not safe for kids to be walking up navigating the cars and buses. We use to live on Ogden Road and saw so many near misses. Even with my own kids! A designated kiss and drop zone would reduce the number of parked cars, give kids direct safe entrance to and exit from school. It would also stop the double parking of parents or parents parking in the bus bay to let their kids out. Another issue facing a lot of Oakville families, is Bus Ways cut the bus transporting kids from the Oakville/Vineyard Boundary to school in the morning, as the zoning changed. These parents of already enrolled and settled kids now have to take their kids to school which has also added additional traffic. Busways solution was to have kids walk down to Glenidol Road to catch the bus, don’t get me started on the safety risks of that due to the shambles of commercial road!!! Or CHANGE SCHOOLS!

Please keep pushing this one, something needs to be done here with improving the parking / roads here, its well over due. Thankyou

It was bad when we were there 10 years ago, it must be terrible now. Add a rainy day and Mums with prams and toddlers trying to cross the road in the mud…

Nathan I think you are pushing shit up hill why do you think the council/state government or any one else will do anything for the lovely place we call home ?

Mel Dyer

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From the “young people these days” department:

At today’s swimming carnival, students were asked to show team spirit and wear house colours.

So far I’ve counted:
- Four ninja turtles
- Two T-rexes
- Three inflatable moo-cows
- Two Luchadores (masked Mexican wrestlers)
- One giant banana
- Three Jack Sparrow pirates
- Three Squid Game
- One green wicked witch (male)
and a smattering of angels, cowgirls and onesies.
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2 weeks ago

Comment on Facebook 1621812811450319_912727400860732

I once went as John Williamson and stood on the block with my guitar while the song “True Blue” belted out over the PA … because why not

Freedom of expression, what a wonderful concept❤️

At least they went.

Well atleast there enthusiastic

I love seeing the kids costumes as they enter the bus and let them know how awesome they look

Now you’re living .

No one from Gryffindor

Lol what school are you at these days?

they missed the memo

Did the t-rex's race the moo-cows?

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Sydney has a problem: An addiction to endless growth.
It's gradually eroding what makes the Hawkesbury such a special place to live.
But what does that have to do with the obscure economic concept of 'The Tragedy of the Commons', buying milk at the local shops, and Australia's unprecedented levels of migration.
I'm a teacher, so I'm glad you asked.

The March edition of our excellent new local newspaper, The Hawkesbury Post carries an editorial I've written. This video is intended as a richer, shareable version.

If you think I've got a point, and that in an election year people should pay attention for a change, please like and share.

councillorzamprogno.info/2024/03/02/should-the-hawkesbury-become-part-of-the-sydney-ant-hill/
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2 weeks ago

Comment on Facebook 910669474399858

Well said …We have basically lost the Australian way of life. Congested unmaintained roads!The next generation growing up in boxes contributing to the increasing mental health pandemic. Frustrated time poor communities due to congestion on roads to make a living. The cost and damage to people’s cars due to poor roads management and infrastructure causing more frustration and financial hardship on families….including people at risk of accidents and injury. Unemployment, training and education versus migration. No brainer! We need to look after our OWN backyard first.. Unfortunately the “ backyard” is a thing of the past in Australia. And that is sad! There needs to be more accountability on every level of government. Not whack em up and wait for the fall out. Voting September let’s get forward thinking people as our advocates/ leaders. The Hawkesbury is losing its charm and will continue if we don’t get the right people in to advocate and actually see the deterioration of a once clean serene lifestyle.

Well said councillor Nathan. As bob Carr said we are full but they still keep bringing people in from overseas. I camp a bit and see people sleeping and living in their cars. And the young people have no hope of ever buying a house. Sorry to say but Sydney and Australia are going downhill fast. Suburbia is slowly creeping into the Hawkesbury and I don’t like it. I’ve lived here for 40 years and can see our lifestyle slowly eroding

Well said

He makes some good points, but what makes him think that the problems he outlines in the Hawkesbury are unique to that area?

Who owns land on packer road as it takes maybe 10 cars a day at most and a sealed road will make it easier for development I think there is some dodgy going on

Totally agree! So why is it so hard for your counterparts to get it, everyone has known all this information for decades! I especially like the comment regarding education for all, instead of skilled immigration, they mostly can’t use their qualifications anyway!however infrastructure is seriously lagging, we all pay taxes on our taxes, with every move we make 🤷‍♀️ so where is all the money going. I have requested that our road be fixed , sorry, goat track years before the floods and pandemic. And it’s still actually dangerous. But I digress. Wouldn’t it make more sense to invest in TAFE and education for the current population and get planning for an influx ahead of time instead of rushing off half cocked and building something that was probably designed 20-30 years ago. Wasting time and money. Or is that just me. Just don’t know how our kids are going to afford to live in Sydney with these absurd prices. How did it get here, I would love to know who and what exactly is to blame.Things are getting stupid now I feel. Something has to give. Please keep up the good work!

Very well said Councillor Nathan Zamprogno, but unfortunately no matter how we vote etc nothing will change the corrupt government and they will keep doing what there doing and letting people in until who knows what, the Hawkesbury as we know it is changing rapidly which is so sad to see

Very well written I hope the information you have given makes our councillors rethink their policies. Thankyou again.

The current migration intake is just crazy - govt cannot be serious about tackling housing issues while it stays silent on population growth. Hopefully this issue gets more airtime in the electorates in the leadup to the federal election.

Too true. But that is civilisation, continuos growth bigger tax base. Without it lower wages, pensions, infrastructure. When they build the Nth Richmond bridge housing will boom over there, they're not spending half a billion dollars just for the locals.

Agree 100%🇦🇺

Really great content - thank you Councillor Nathan Zamprogno

If I'm paying full price I want the freshest milk. I only shop weekly, which most people do, so the use by date must be at least a week away.

Well said Councillor Nathan Zamprogno, but unfortunately whether we vote Labor or Liberal nothing will change the vested interests of the government and we need to have independents. Also, I believe there’s a need for more public housing all around and even in the Hawkesbury.

Correct

Permaculture the Planet

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Today, we formally opened the improvements to Peel Park at Redbank North Richmond. 
This is now a handsome facility for the whole community costing $5.67million

Today, we formally opened the improvements to Peel Park at Redbank North Richmond.
This is now a handsome facility for the whole community costing $5.67million
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3 weeks ago

Comment on Facebook 1621812811450319_908675494599256

Great for community. Do the ratepayers get a break down on the cost of each item?Transparency.

Can’t polish a turd ( HCC ) , DISGRACEFUL.

Think council got shafted on that project

Hawkesbury Council a step closer to honouring its pledge to seal Packer Road.

Among the projects Hawkesbury Council promised to fund with a 2018 rate-hike was the sealing of Packer Road, a key east-west road linking the Putty Road travelling north from Wilberforce, and the river communities of Lower Portland, Cumberland Reach and Sackville.

With no commencement visible, residents were rightly upset when a report to Council's February 2024 meeting recommended the project be shelved.
After a spirited campaign by locals and users of this key road, Council has now resolved to proceed with the project, despite significantly elevated costs.
It is important that Council keep its promises. Now, Council will have to determine what other worthy projects will be delayed or cancelled.

For those interested in the history of this story, check out the article on my website, and below are the remarks I made to Council at the recent meeting.

councillorzamprogno.info/2024/02/27/council-a-step-closer-to-honouring-its-pledge-to-seal-packer-...
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3 weeks ago

Comment on Facebook 907900518010087

How are the locals coping with no ferry?

Thanks for representing the outer regions of this LGA Councillor Nathan Zamprogno. The more I hear you speak the more I want you to be the Mayor.

Thank you for your support of our region Councillor Nathan Zamprogno. We are so grateful for your representation and the unanimous support from Council for this to proceed. We hope that it won't be too long before the works will commence.

Can we get a refund of that rate hike? What have they been doing with the money?

Seal Fairey Road.

Unfortunately in all councils have councillor's that are in council for their own personal reasons most of the time their got involvements in realestate all land developerment those people need to be forced out of council .

Shane Atkins

This council is a joke. There should be no public roads in the Hawkesbury unsealed. Council is carrying on like they are building a federal hwy. you are not laying a concrete base with asphalt on top. Your spray sealing compacted road base for f@@ks sake. My driveway at home is 10x better then most local roads. Stop spending our rates on dumb arse councillors and start investing in building and repairing assets for the local community. Things will never change if we don’t roll all the old morons running this joint. Sarah doesn’t have the best support, but I tell you what. I’m liking what she is doing, fresh face, out in the community doing her thing. It’s refreshing. Watching these council meetings is depressing.

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Normally Council holds two citizenship ceremonies a year. However, these people just couldn’t wait to take up the invitation to become true-blue Aussies, so we ran an extra ceremony just for them tonight. Welcome!

Normally Council holds two citizenship ceremonies a year. However, these people just couldn’t wait to take up the invitation to become true-blue Aussies, so we ran an extra ceremony just for them tonight. Welcome! ... See MoreSee Less

3 weeks ago

Comment on Facebook Normally Council ...

Welcome to these new Aussies

The Federal Local Government Minister Kristy McBain visited the Hawkesbury today, and I was pleased to join Susan Templeman MP and fellow Councillors Mary Lyons-Buckett, Danielle Wheeler and Deputy Mayor Calvert as we inspected proposed improvements to Woodbury Reserve at Glossodia, which will be funded jointly by Council together with State and Federal grants.

I didnt miss the opportunity to remind the Minister that Councils take in only 3.5% of all taxation revenue in Australia, and yet Local Governments are responsible for 24% of all the service provision and asset maintenance done in the nation, as well as plan how our communities can grow and thrive.

I said that in 1996, Local Governments received grant funding equivalent to 1% of all federal taxation revenue, and that in the 28 years since, its slipped to less than half that. The Minister quoted a list of funding schemes we receive money from, but it sounded to me like theyre just relabelled slices of an increasingly smaller pie. The shortfall is structural, entrenched, and getting worse.

Lastly, we drove home the plight of peri-urban Councils like ours that sit at the fringes of major cities. We cop all the urban growth and congestion, plus lack of transport and long commutes, and yet frequently fall between two stools when it comes to funding because were not-quite-urban and not-quite-rural.

The Minister certainly left with an earful of our concerns, and were grateful she came.

The Federal Local Government Minister Kristy McBain visited the Hawkesbury today, and I was pleased to join Susan Templeman MP and fellow Councillors Councillor Mary Lyons-Buckett, Councillor Danielle Wheeler and Deputy Mayor Calvert as we inspected proposed improvements to Woodbury Reserve at Glossodia, which will be funded jointly by Council together with State and Federal grants.

I didn't miss the opportunity to remind the Minister that Councils take in only 3.5% of all taxation revenue in Australia, and yet Local Governments are responsible for 24% of all the service provision and asset maintenance done in the nation, as well as plan how our communities can grow and thrive.

I said that in 1996, Local Governments received grant funding equivalent to 1% of all federal taxation revenue, and that in the 28 years since, it's slipped to less than half that. The Minister quoted a list of funding schemes we receive money from, but it sounded to me like they're just relabelled slices of an increasingly smaller pie. The shortfall is structural, entrenched, and getting worse.

Lastly, we drove home the plight of 'peri-urban' Councils like ours that sit at the fringes of major cities. We cop all the urban growth and congestion, plus lack of transport and long commutes, and yet frequently fall between two stools when it comes to funding because we're not-quite-urban and not-quite-rural.

The Minister certainly left with an earful of our concerns, and we're grateful she came.
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4 weeks ago

Comment on Facebook 1621812811450319_904045768395562

Great to see the hard working councillors there taking note of who’s not there I guess they are too busy blaming the MUA for the ferry dispute down at Wiseman ferry. Instead of coming up with a solution like the ferries are no longer operated by private contractors.

And that is the biggest load of waffle I have heard for a very long time! Is that why the grass verges along The Junction between Spinks Rd, Kurmond Rd, and Wire lane were magically mown yesterday? How about driving around the local roads, not just the main ones. You guys really have no understanding of what we really need. Too busy showing off on what has or is being achieved, which has been proposed for over 20 years. Yes, I'm glad and happy that improvements are being made, but, you Councillors need to look at the overall picture.

How about getting the roads fixed around the Hawksbery

This update on the status of road remediation projects including Grose Vale Road is supplied by Council staff to Councillors today:

There is a significant backlog of road reconstruction and renewal projects resulting from the recent floods and the three successive La Ninas.

A number of failed sections have been identified along Grose Vale Road and works are currently in various stages, identified in the attached map and are summarised below;

Completed = 1,120m
Underway = 275m
In planning = 610m
Identified = 1,660m

Sections that have been identified and not yet scheduled are those which do not have funding, and will be prioritised in the FY24/25 capital works program.

Outside of Kurrajong Public School, Council’s contractor has been delayed due to recent weather. The site has been cleaned whist awaiting sealing which is planned in the next two weeks, weather permitting.

In the interim, Councils maintenance team continues to monitor and make safe within available resources and priorities.

This update on the status of road remediation projects including Grose Vale Road is supplied by Council staff to Councillors today:

There is a significant backlog of road reconstruction and renewal projects resulting from the recent floods and the three successive La Ninas.

A number of failed sections have been identified along Grose Vale Road and works are currently in various stages, identified in the attached map and are summarised below;

Completed = 1,120m
Underway = 275m
In planning = 610m
Identified = 1,660m

Sections that have been identified and not yet scheduled are those which do not have funding, and will be prioritised in the FY24/25 capital works program.

Outside of Kurrajong Public School, Council’s contractor has been delayed due to recent weather. The site has been cleaned whist awaiting sealing which is planned in the next two weeks, weather permitting.

In the interim, Council's maintenance team continues to monitor and make safe within available resources and priorities.
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4 weeks ago

Comment on Facebook This update on the ...

Thanks for keeping us up-to-date with these Nathan. I hope that these remediations are proper repairs and not the temporary quick-fix solutions we've had in the past (A shovelful of hotseal that only lasts until the next downpour, or forms a mountain ridge in the middle of the road) We had a similar problem at the dip on Cabbage Tree rd. Years of potholes and nearly constant patch jobs that only lasted until the next rain. Eventually council ponied up the bucks for a proper fix, and that stretch hasn't need to be repaired for years now. More expensive at the time, but much cheaper in the long run.

What's going on with the river banks in Windsor please?

The community at Lower Portland and Sackville are well represented by the Lower Portland & Sackville North Progress Association , and I was very pleased to join with my colleagues Councillor Les Sheather, Councillor Mitchell Blue and Dr Peter Gangemi - Mayor of The Hills Shire Council at their meeting tonight.
The news that we have committed to seal Packer Road was very warmly received!

The community at Lower Portland and Sackville are well represented by the Lower Portland & Sackville North Progress Association , and I was very pleased to join with my colleagues Councillor Les Sheather, Councillor Mitchell Blue and Dr Peter Gangemi - Mayor of The Hills Shire Council at their meeting tonight.
The news that we have committed to seal Packer Road was very warmly received!
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1 month ago

Comment on Facebook The community at ...

Great job! More people could probably attend if the Lower Portland ferry was running.

The NSW Labor government is targeting a range of suburbs for massive new urban growth and unprecedented densification. They’ve announced a proposed policy of massive flat-building to meet a target of 377,000 new homes by 2029. 

For those who wonder what the proposed rule changes could look like in the Hawkesbury, check out this map, presented to Councillors at a recent briefing.
We discussed this at Council last night and voted overwhelmingly to oppose this.

Here’s what the changes propose: 
Three zones are identified: “Town Centres” (most of our larger suburbs); “Commercial Centres” (Windsor and Richmond), and all train stations (6 in the LGA).

If the new rules pass, Councils would lose the right to refuse new flat developments of up to 21m (up to 8 stories) within 400m of such zones and 16m (5 stories) within 800m. “Cookie cutter” designs from an approved “Pattern book” would enjoy expedited approval, tending to favour bland sameness in designs built to maximise profit. 
Some buildings would only mandate 0.5 car spaces per dwelling.

Worst, these rules would summarily override Council’s LEP and DCP controls.

This is spectacularly rotten policy that fails utterly to understand the character of the Hawkesbury. Residents have told us for decades that our semi-rural outlook is a key factor in our charm and desirability as a place to live and work. The State government has failed to provide enough detail for us to respond to their demand for a detailed response. For example, the interaction of the proposed policy with known constraints in our area caused by flood, flood evacuation and fire risk has not been explained at all.

Former Labor Premier Bob Carr famously declared that Sydney was “full” back in 2000. Carr’s successors in the current Labor government manifestly no longer share his assessment. Yes, there is a housing, and housing affordability crisis. But I’d prefer the government was more honest about admitting that fully 98% of the pressure for housing growth in NSW comes from overseas migration and not from the organic growth of our own populace. This is something I will have a lot more to say about soon.

The NSW Labor government is targeting a range of suburbs for massive new urban growth and unprecedented densification. They’ve announced a proposed policy of massive flat-building to meet a target of 377,000 new homes by 2029.

For those who wonder what the proposed rule changes could look like in the Hawkesbury, check out this map, presented to Councillors at a recent briefing.
We discussed this at Council last night and voted overwhelmingly to oppose this.

Here’s what the changes propose:
Three zones are identified: “Town Centres” (most of our larger suburbs); “Commercial Centres” (Windsor and Richmond), and all train stations (6 in the LGA).

If the new rules pass, Councils would lose the right to refuse new flat developments of up to 21m (up to 8 stories) within 400m of such zones and 16m (5 stories) within 800m. “Cookie cutter” designs from an approved “Pattern book” would enjoy expedited approval, tending to favour bland sameness in designs built to maximise profit.
Some buildings would only mandate 0.5 car spaces per dwelling.

Worst, these rules would summarily override Council’s LEP and DCP controls.

This is spectacularly rotten policy that fails utterly to understand the character of the Hawkesbury. Residents have told us for decades that our semi-rural outlook is a key factor in our charm and desirability as a place to live and work. The State government has failed to provide enough detail for us to respond to their demand for a detailed response. For example, the interaction of the proposed policy with known constraints in our area caused by flood, flood evacuation and fire risk has not been explained at all.

Former Labor Premier Bob Carr famously declared that Sydney was “full” back in 2000. Carr’s successors in the current Labor government manifestly no longer share his assessment. Yes, there is a housing, and housing affordability crisis. But I’d prefer the government was more honest about admitting that fully 98% of the pressure for housing growth in NSW comes from overseas migration and not from the organic growth of our own populace. This is something I will have a lot more to say about soon.
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1 month ago

Comment on Facebook The NSW Labor ...

I agree with you that cookie cutter designs are completely wrong for the area (especially 0.5 car spaces in an area with awful public transport beyond trains- which are irregular to town anyway. There's few regular buses to get around to shops etc, so insuffucient carspaces is ridiculous). Also, we are on a floodplain and areas around Windsor station, especially go under in flood. I find blaming immigration for population growth to be a bit racist though. We need housing for people, regardless of whether they were born here or migrated. It sounds like immigrants aren't welcome, which I find distasteful. I also hope the current crop of Liberal and Labor councillors didn't use the "rural amenity" argument in their speeches to council given that has meant diddly squat to them in the past, and they have ignored the community about exactly that previously, as they have rammed through unsuitable housing developments and planning decisions with their casting votes and voting blocs. Would be hypocrisy if they relied on that now.

There’s no infrastructure for the existing population & council despite the incredibly high rates can’t seem to work out how to service it. The hoops to make improvements to existing dwellings to fit into the “current scape”are tedious & the proposed cookie cutter high rises would be an insult to anyone who’s been forced to adhere to councils guidelines if they are then going to allow these buildings. Most residents, if they wanted to live like that or look at them, wouldn’t have chosen the Hawkesbury. Would be interested to see if there is an accompanying plan for the - increase to roads - correct fixing of our current roads, not this two scoops out the back of a moving truck BS they are currently doing. - schools, funding & expansion of existing & development of new - early learning centres - retirement villages & homes - emergency services, ambulance & police expansion & substations across the river - public hospitals & health care, reliable service & the ability to handle the volume & intensity of cases - waste management services Etc

Councillor Nathan Zamprogno, has the Hawkesbury LEP been updated to take into consideration the latest flood zone data?

Do you have a source for the claim that 98% of the pressure on housing growth is due to migration?

The Development will eventually happen the biggest question is all levels of government be able to provide suitable services roads, public transport, health and education for a community to thrive judging by the previous LNP government and the Liberal/ Labor bloc at Hawkesbury council that this wasn’t a consideration. Hopefully with the NSW Labor government and councils election in September some big changes can happen. The lack foresight and self interest in the bloc is amazing sallow and short sighted.

Hate cookie cutter design anywhere. We need variety. Big, small, interesting or we may as well be living in China.

Nathan I recall you once mentioned you’d be open to acreage lots (5+) given approval for an additional residence (family expansion or rental potential). Are you still in favour of this and has council discussed this as an option in future? It seems developers are able gain councils approval for multi-dwelling developments on various acreage sizes but individual home owners are frozen out.

Sounds like a nightmare. Build up and build houses kissing eachother. They look here and see green land and want a piece. Do they want the Hawkesbury to be another parramatta all those cramped up apartments bring is a bunch of cars piled up onto streets that already lack parking. We can't even facilitate for people who need an emergency with our sub par local Hosptial and mental health services are all palmed off to go penrith area. Only finally now they are building a headspace for youths. Hawkesbury is one lane in and one lane out from either side. Look at what happend to Marsden Park. It used to be 1 lane Rd. It is now pure chaos, full of heavy traffic with its road extension and brick jungle. They are slowly creeping up. I hope no under the table deals happen and these ugly houses dont pop up and other poorly designed and approved takeaway joints like the Bligh park ones near the roundabouts right on an emergency exit point. Above all locals would love the area to get a face lift, keep its country charm from looking run down and rough. We're are the long term solutions heaven sake shopping trolleys are scattered all over the streets, that locals need to report themsleves to be left there again time and time again. Theres no push they should all be changed to be lock ups and above all else the dam pot holes fixed and uneven roads, we want the bare minimum can't even have that. People have lost faith and it's a dam shame.

I just attended the national regional housing summit and there were some great alternate solutions to this ridiculous approach to meet housing targets that were floated about. Nothing will immediately solve this issue, but there are better ideas to help meet smaller targets if council are open to them.

local council had better step up and use funding for much needed road improvements, more parks and youth development. Id hate to see the Hawkesbury over developed though, it’s NOT why our family moved here 😞

This and then council is made to blame for not having road infrastructure to cover for these large unit blocks. Richmond road through Marsden Park is already a complete mess, not to mention Windsor Road!

Council has failed spectacularly to address the growth area pressures. One of the first council meetings after the last election, there was a discussion about surveying and listening to Oakville residents. Since then, deafening silence. I totally agree the housing pressures are largely due to the relaxed Labor immigration policies. However, Hawkesbury NIMBY attitude is coming back to bite them.

It is good to hear that councillors voted to oppose this policy. I can’t even fathom the govt suggesting this without a proper full scale plan for support of such development in regards to services and infrastructure. I don’t see many new large shopping malls for example on developers scope and if you see how much pressure the existing places already have on them then no wonder that people will go online shopping. Which for small businesses is not entirely a good thing. 🤷‍♀️

Thomas Blamey

Jordan Sommer

Mary-anne Tennent

Of course it's all to do with immigration 🤦🏻‍♀️

Dominique Bee lol 🤑🤑🤑

F

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