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The Refurbishments to Windsor Mall
I recently took the opportunity to walk through the whole of the refurbished Windsor Mall. Now the work is substantially done, I have to say it's looking amazing. New sandstone flagstones greatly exceeds the original sandstone; the sponsored pavers are now proudly on display. The garden beds are now being planted with a range of attractive species.
Does Dressage have a future at Hawkesbury Showground?
This week I was a signatory to call rare extraordinary meeting of Council to address a dispute between the Hawkesbury District Agricultural Association, Dressage NSW and Equestrian NSW. The subject was a dispute over the future of dressage facilities at the Hawkesbury Showground.
Vivid 2025 – Sydney’s Amazing Festival of Lights
What a wonderful city we live in! Vivid Sydney has been just amazing this year, covering multiple sites and showing off our city’s architecture old and new. This is my tribute to VIVID, which we did in perfect weather! #vividsydney
Dual Occupancy – Approved in principle! (Labor opposes)
Council approved my Notice of Motion to permit Detached Dual Occupancies after seven years of delay and disappointment with our moribund LEP process. There's some way to go yet.
The 2025 Australian Federal Election – the view from Macquarie
For those of you who asked me what my opinion is of yesterday's Federal Election, I humbly offer you this. I try to provide a Global, National and Local (to the seat of Macquarie) explanation of What Just Happened.
Mics are dropped.
I want to know what you think.
The Effects on Insurance Premiums from Hawkesbury Flooding and Council\’s Planning Policies
The skyrocketing costs of home insurance is a massive issue for people in the Hawkesbury.
Damage from flooding could cost us billions, but the risks of living in on a floodplain have driven up Insurance costs even when the sun is shining.
The Incredible Shrinking Hawkesbury Bridge Program
In 2019 and 2021, to secure votes in what was at the time the most marginal Federal seat in the nation, the Liberals pledged $200M, and then $500M to build a high, flood-resilient bridge across the Hawkesbury River that would loop around North Richmond and relieve congestion at the intersection of Grose Vale Road, Bells Line and the Terrace. Now we're told by Labor that that money isn't enough.
Two Years in One Minute – A series of Hawkesbury Time Lapse Videos
Live Traffic NSW have automated cameras all over the state, and over eight in the Hawkesbury. I programmed a script to scrape an image from each at around noon for two years (August 2022 – Dec 2024) and compiled the ~700+ images into some time lapses.
Hawkesbury Youth Summit – Opening Address
I was honoured to be asked by the Mayor to give the opening address of the "Hawkesbury Youth 'Festival of New Ideas'" at the Western Sydney University Hawkesbury Campus
Throwback Thursday – the 1998 Resolve Chemicals fire at Wilberforce
CHEMICAL FIRE AT WILBERFORCE: At 2216hrs on Sunday 12th July, 1998, Hawkesbury Fire Control received advice from 000 of a structure alight in the Woodlands Industrial Estate, WIiberforce. The township of Wilberforce has over 100 homes and light industry and is located In the City of Hawkesbury approximately 60km north west of Sydney.
Pre-election Interview with Shaun Willams of Hawkesbury Radio
I leave it all on the field with this one.
The invitation to sit down with Shaun Willams from Hawkesbury Radio this close to the election was the perfect opportunity to take the gloves off and talk about what's really at stake this time.
Deputy Mayor Nathan Zamprogno
(opens in a new tab)The page of the Independent Deputy Mayor of Hawkesbury City Council, Nathan Zamprogno.
Tonight I joined the Mayor, Mary Lyons-Buckett, Councillor Peter Ryan, Councillor Les Sheather, and many friends at the Annual General Meeting of the Hawkesbury Sports Council.
Our governance model delegates the management of our playing fields, 2-and-5 year plans for improvements, and sporting club liaison with this dedicated group of volunteers, who have delivered value and grass roots support for sports clubs across the Hawkesbury for 34 years (although early moves stretched back 39).
We're very grateful for their stewardship.
Here's me with a very old and dear friend, Matthew Austin of Duck Man Sports Media.
That's me at Windsor High School in Year 12 (lower left in photo). I would be embarassed to admit to the year.
Industrial Arts classroom. Engineering Science. Mr Blok (no, really).
And now, 36 years later, I'm dispatching my own students there to sit their HSC exams, starting this week. These symmetries in life please me.
If there's a young person in your life sitting HSC exams in the next few weeks, give them a hug. Tell them you know they will do their best. Remind them that this will not define them for long.
I hope someone can help this man recover his lost tools.
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, changed who can see it, or it's been deleted.
Politicians like me should listen when people in the areas we represent express distress about their cost of living pressures. Not being able to afford to live in your own home, or being forced to sell at a time that you don't choose must be a nightmare. This should be a “canary in the coal mine” moment for our governments.
Look at where Sydney’s distressed-property sale activity is highest – right here in the Hawkesbury.
The Richmond/Windsor VIEW Club is a wonderful local club whose philanthropy supports underpriveleged youth get a leg up in life.
I was absolutely delighted to be invited to open their Spring/Summer Fashion fair yesterday at the hall at St Monicas in Richmond. I counted nearly 80 ladies in high spirits enjoying a wonderful spread of tea and cakes while their supermodels strutted the catwalk.
I love seeing this side of our community through groups who are devoted to helping others, in style!
Good news concerning Detached Dual Occupancy!
Following a motion I brought to Council in June of last year, Council have now commenced public exhibition of a policy that will allow owners of land in RU1, RU2, RU4, RU5, C3 and C4 zones to place a second, detached house on their lot without subdivision.
Public comment is sought until 29 October 2026.
This is a big step towards the adoption of this as our active policy.
I have lamented in comment I have made over the years about how slow progress has been towards this widely desired flexibility among Hawkesbury landowners.
A link to my most recent video on this subject is also below.
I encourage all people who have looked forward to this reform to examine what is now on exhibition and to provide comment through the "Your Hawkesbury, Your Say" website linked below.
www.yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au/planning-proposal
youtu.be/XGkm4kBx9bE?si=GSwsmiRs-4_gKCK_
Since May of this year, I have made my opposition to the ban placed on local media from attending Council meetings very clear. This ban included The Hawkesbury Gazette.
Councillor Mike Creed and I co-sponsored a motion to lift the ban which failed.
Since election to Deputy Mayor, I have taken the matter up with Mary Lyons-Buckett - Mayor of Hawkesbury stating that lifting the ban should be a priority. I said it would be a marker of the new leadership in the Chamber if we did this. I believed it would restore some trust in the wider community that Council is prepared to remain accountable and transparent in its functions.
This morning, Council has issued the following media statement, lifting the ban completely effective immediately.
I welcome this move, while making it clear that although I do not always agree with the Gazette's coverage of every issue, Council overstepped its mark in imposing this ban in the first place.
Good news from Wilberforce!
The Australiana Pioneer Village is a wonderful place. When was the last time you visited? If it's been a while or you've never been, please take your family for a real treat. One thing some people get wrong is that it's not a theme park; the buildings located there are genuinely historical artefacts, transplanted from many places and act as a living museum as well as a highly entertaining field trip.
Last night I attended their AGM and was heartened to hear that the place is absolutely thriving. The 2025-26 Annual Report detailed 22,503 visitors, including 5956 students and teachers from 58 schools as part of their education program.
Amusement rides (mini-railway and tractor-train hayride) totalled 29,951 ticketed rides. It remains an affordable, educational, wholesome day out for any family.
The Village runs markets, special events (Australia Day being the biggest), a zoo, food outlets, souvenir stores, local crafts, dramatic reenactments, period dress-up photos, damper making, and blacksmithing. It acts as a venue for hire for functions and filming.
This led to income of $590,443 over the year, which was overwhelmingly poured back into the preservation of the historic buildings and operations.
All this is led by a committee and base of 74 regular volunteers, and 34 additional lay members.
Hawkesbury Council has just concluded exhibition of a Conservation Management Plan to assist the Village plan for its future and the unique role it is serving to protect heritage of not just local but national significance.
I've been going to the Village since I was about 15 and it holds a special place in my heart. I congratulate the volunteer committee for their years of hard work, including through times where Council could have been a better friend to it (there was an abortive and misguided effort to sell the site years ago and turn it into a golf course!)
Current President Kevin Weeks and VP Laurie Archer presented life memberships to John and Gae Parmenter at the meeting, which is richly deserved.
Also present at the meeting were Robyn Preston MP, Mary Lyons-Buckett - Mayor of Hawkesbury, Councillor Danielle Wheeler (herself a life member), and Councillor Peter Ryan.
Please follow the Pioneer Village on their socials to be informed of their upcoming events.
