Recently, the Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman MP has made remarks opposing the raising of Warragamba Dam for flood mitigation purposes. I am disappointed that any elected representative of a floodplain like ours would oppose such a crucial safety initiative. This has been reported in the local media: My own statement relating to this […]
In any given year, what are the risks of your house burning down, you getting sick, or you crashing your car? Low, I hope. These events have a low probability, but serious consequences. So we weigh the risk, and take out insurance. So it is with our floodplain. There have been 124 floods in the […]
Overnight, former Labor politician Bob Debus addressed a gathering of UNESCO in Baku, Azerbaijan, to seek their support in opposing the raising of Warragamba Dam. This morning, ABC Sydney Radio asked to interview me to provide a response. Here’s the audio. I repeat the argument I’ve made many, many, many, many, many times before.
Update: The result of the motion I put to Council is recounted here. Only last year, we commemorated the 150th anniversary of the worst flood since European settlement in the Hawkesbury district. We were reminded that, back in June 1867, an inland sea of swirling detritus 30km wide stretched from Riverstone to the foot of […]
I was pleased to be interviewed by the ABC today on the proposal to raise Warragamba Dam. This project will mitigate against the frequency and severity of floods in the Hawkesbury, and will save life and property. I’ll have much more to say about this soon. Stay tuned.
Some times it must feel like our community can’t cop a trick. Devastating fires, pandemic and two floods, all within a 16 month period. Yet again, out of the distress and destruction of property has arisen the real spirit of our local community, which has rallied magnificently. The response of our SES, Police and RFS […]
I am disappointed that Council last night reversed the position it has held for decades, and declined to reaffirm its support for raising Warragamba Dam to provide flood mitigation to our valley, through the Notice of Motion I brought to the chamber. As I said last night, this issue is too important for it not […]
In my role on Hawkesbury Council and the Hawkesbury River County Council, I’ve long sought a good visualisation of the entirety of the complete catchment of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River, its feed-rivers, and a distinction between those parts of the catchment laying behind and downstream from Warragamba Dam. I couldn’t find one, so I’ve made my […]