Before you vote...
A letter from Councillor Nathan Zamprogno
Even if you vote Liberal or Labor, it is clear most people prefer Council to be above “party politics” – to be free to stand up to other tiers of Government when they try to impose growth, drive through highway projects, cost-shift to Councils, fail to invest in infrastructure, or impose unfair planning rules on us.
I was elected as a Liberal Councillor in 2016, but I am standing at this 2024 election as an Independent because I believe you deserve representation with integrity.
None of your Councillors have sought to engage with you as directly as I have. I have explained every position I’ve taken over the last five years on my website, and exposed Council’s failings through many videos, newsletters, on TV and on radio. If the other Councillors can’t point to a record like this, what have they been doing for the last five years? How can you be confident of what they stand for? How they voted on the important issues?
I’m a life-long resident of the Hawkesbury. A teacher by training, I’ve taught at most local high schools, and as an ethics teacher in local primary schools. I promise to continue striving to preserve what makes our city so great to live in, while making the Hawkesbury an innovative, prosperous and economically sustainable city. If you tend to support one of the major parties at State or Federal elections, I challenge you to consider your vote for Council. You’re electing twelve Councilors, vote for strong local independents first.
I need your support through your vote to continue this work.
Councillor Nathan Zamprogno
Follow me for updates
Meet the team
Position #1
Nathan Zamprogno
Oakville
I’ve been a Councillor for eight years and you know me well. As a schoolteacher I’ve taken on a role to explain and advocate for you through many videos, newsletters and this page.
I am very, very proud to stand by my record as a hard working and independent representative.
Concerning my running mate Donna, It is my view that the number 2 position is certainly winnable, and I’m absolutely gunning to get Donna on to the Council. She’d make an outstanding Councillor.
Position #2
Donna Pellew
Wilberforce
Donna is a truly extraordinary Hawkesbury businesswoman. She currently runs two different businesses – Richmond Kurrajong Florist and Unique Floral Events.
She and husband Glen used to run the Richmond Retravision store.
Donna has lived and worked her entire life in the Hawkesbury.
Donna’s family, including four beautiful daughters have lived in Wilberforce for over 24 years, but Donna has also lived in Freemans Reach and McGrath’s Hill.
Donna says: “I believe state and federal political agendas do not belong in local Councils. The Hawkesbury is such a special place to live and work, and my experience in business convinces me that Council needs to understand that local businesses are the spine of our community.”
Position #3
David Ball
Pitt Town
David has been a Hawkesbury resident for 17 years, working in IT for prominent Australian companies such as Westpac, Woolworths and Western Sydney University.
David understands the importance of listening to and working with others while also advocating for his perspectives.
Position #4
Philip Price
Richmond
Philip is a passionate advocate for community welfare and responsible environmental stewardship, living in the Hawkesbury for over 10 years.
He has excelled in biosecurity and environmental management, earning the 2023 Stephenson Local Government Award for outstanding contributions to weed management in NSW during his tenure at Hawkesbury River County Council. Philip serves as a deputy captain and vice president of Yarramundi Rural Fire Brigade.
Position #5
Joel Baltaks
Windsor
Joel grew up in the Hawkesbury and has a real love for the area. Joel is a software engineer who has had a long association with the Richmond Players Inc dramatic society.
He practises Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and is a proud dad of four kids. Joel has a keen interest in preserving the Hawkesbury’s culture and seeing it thrive.
Position #6
Jessica Dickinson
Oakville
Jessica is an accomplished singer and performer and a life-long Oakville resident with two young boys. Always involved in the life of the community, her career has seen her travel the world, appear on television and stage, and perform at more events than she can recall.
Jessica is passionate about preserving what makes the Hawkesbury such a special place to live and worries about overdevelopment, especially in the Oakville area.
Our brochure
Missed getting our physical brochure? Don’t worry, tap the link below to view our digital version!
Our 'How to vote'
The recommendations of my team in GROUP ‘H’ are in the How To Vote included below because the people I list are the people we believe who will make the best chamber who can work together for you over the coming term.
Campaign videos
The Cure for Toxic Politics, it's Only an Election Away!
Have you noticed how nasty politics has become? I’m tired of it, and I suspect you are too. Thankfully, all such problems can be solved with an election. Read my new editorial appearing in the latest edition of the ‘Hawkesbury Post’.
They Sydney Anthill, a modern tragedy
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.
My team and I stand for
Values you can get behind
Fighting over-development
We will take a strong stance to ensure the preservation of our rural lifestyle, while encouraging best practice in urban design excellence and renewal. We support our businesses, building infrastructure and providing housing choice. But we should determine what our future looks like, not developers.
More information:
Independence with integrity
We promise good, respectful common sense and hard work. Council shouldn’t be merely a stepping stone to higher political ambition, be coloured with developer entanglements, or be a cushy gig where you can cynically get away with doing no work. Sadly, we’ve seen too much of that in this term. You deserve better. It’s about serving our community.
More information:
Supporting the performing arts
Council’s Civic Centre was built in 1980 and is showing its age. We believe that the Hawkesbury deserves a major new performing arts space worthy of the creativity of our area.
More information:
Protecting the environment
We believe it is possible to be both a good conservative, and a good conservationist.
We are committed to looking after our unique Hawkesbury ecologies, as well as our built and historic heritage.
Balancing prosperity with what makes the Hawkesbury such a special place to live does not mean standing still, but it does mean ensuring Council takes its role to steward our environment and heritage seriously.
More information:
A renewed focus on the basics
We promise responsive, accountable government.
Sick of delayed DA assessments? Slow responses? Inconsistent application of rules? Too many fees and charges for simple things?
We believe Council has a poor reputation for customer service, especially compared to neighbouring Councils. We stand for reform to Council’s culture, and modernising a focus on the basics of roads, parks, and basic infrastructure.
More information:
Living with the river
130,000 people live and trade on the floodplain. 600 Houses were flooded in March’s ‘moderate’ flood. It could have been worse, and someday, it will be.
We believe the debate about flooding needs a dose of truth – firm commitments to improving our safety, preserving flood-height planning controls, limiting inappropriate encroachment on the floodplain, while protecting our world-class ecologies, both above and below the Dam.
More information:
I'm proud to be associated with
A website I built to share surveys on big issues in the Hawkesbury. With aims to make it easier to share your opinions and concerns on important local issues. It will allow myself and fellow councillors to be more aware of what the community expects. How often have Council ever asked you your views on the things that matter to you?
After my motion to present Councillor voting behaviour, expenses and more was voted down by Liberal and Labor Councillors, I pursued the idea to make Council decisions more accessible for the community. I’m proud to found and support a Facebook page that does this for the community.
Support the team
Support my team and our goals
We need your help to get re-elected to the Hawkesbury City Council and continue the fight for a better, more efficient and directed Hawkesbury City Council.
You can contribute to getting the word out to fellow Hawkesbury residents by donating or letting us know if you’re able to volunteer for the campaign.
This and all content on this website is written and authorised by Nathan Zamprogno, 332 Saunders Road Oakville.