The Hawkesbury Gazette

26/11/2025

⚠️ Our local sport’s future is on the line

The Hawkesbury Sports Council, the community-based group that’s run our sports grounds for over 30 years, is at a crossroad.
They’ve been asked by Hawkesbury City Council to sign a new, riskier contract… but after years of sticking their necks out and keeping fields playable for local clubs, many aren’t convinced it’s in the best interests of community sport.

If the Sports Council walks away, each club might be forced to negotiate with Council on its own — and that could mean fewer games, more expenses, and uncertainty for players.

Do you play for a club, support one, or care about grassroots sport in Hawkesbury? Tell us what you think this means for local sport

👉 Read the full story by clicking the link.

AS COUNCIL PROCUREMENT FAILURES POSE ONGOING THREAT

26/11/2025

UPDATE: This warning has been updated. Please refer to our most recent post. www.bom.gov.au

⚠️⛈️💨 DETAILED STORM WARNING
- , , , , ,

- 11:35AM, Wednesday 26th November

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 11:30 am, severe thunderstorms likely to produce large hailstones and damaging wind gusts were detected near Shellharbour, Dapto, Darkes Forest, Albion Park and the area between Oberon and Taralga.

These thunderstorms are moving towards the east. They are forecast to affect Wollongong, Helensburgh, Pt Kembla and Stanwell Park by 12:00 pm and Katoomba, Blackheath, Springwood and Bilpin by 12:30 pm.

▪️View and be alerted more incidents near you by downloading the NSW Incident Alerts App. Try for free today; https://apple.co/39Y5tW2

▪️Brought to you by www.gio.com.au

24/11/2025

Following up on last Tuesday’s rate-rise vote — here’s what you need to know now:

After a huge response from our readers, we’ve put together a deeper breakdown of the Special Rate Variation (SRV) decision. Hawkesbury City Council voted 7–4 to pursue an 8.66% rate rise each year for four years — about 39.4% in total.

Important to note:
This increase is not final.
The council’s vote means they will apply to IPART, the independent regulator.

IPART will review the application, assess the community feedback (where 70% opposed the rise) and decide whether to approve, reject or adjust the proposed increase.

So while the vote is a major step, the final decision now sits with IPART.

We’ll keep following the process. Let us know what questions you still want answered.

Community Asks Are We Throwing Good Money After Bad?

23/11/2025

🚑 Big upgrade coming for Hawkesbury’s emergency care! The new ambulance station at South Windsor (7-11 Acacia Close) is now one step closer, with the first artist’s impressions released and planning well underway. This purpose-built facility will help close the long-standing emergency response gap west of the river.

The NSW Government has released the first artist’s impressions of three new modern ambulance stations at South Windsor offering a glimpse of the upgraded emergency care facilities set to strengthen mobile medical response across the state.

22/11/2025

From Instagram reels to real-life community impact, the mother-and-daughter team at Chakra & Co are putting Richmond, NSW on the fashion map. With joyful weekly videos, welcoming vibes and a boutique that’s all about confidence and connection, Kate and Annie are showing that small business and big heart go hand in hand.

In an era when fashion can often feel exclusive or impersonal, Chakra & Co stands out for being exactly the opposite. Their Instagram dances and weekly videos aren’t marketing stunts; they’re invitations.

22/11/2025

The pcyc Hawkesbury are proud to be hosting the special Olympics, this weekend. Dan the man is pumped to represent his team Sydney west 💪🥳
Come and cheer on these athletes at Hawkesbury Indoor Stadium 16 Stewart Street, South Windsor, 2756

21/11/2025

Hawkesbury’s own Harvest Farms is quietly leading the way in organic veggie production. No chemicals, just hard work, innovation and a deep commitment to sustainable farming.

If you’re looking for something to do with the kids and want to know more about regnerative farming, they offer tours of the farm.

By Phil Burkitt For many years, Aaron Brocken has been quietly leading the way in organic vegetable production in the Bilpin district. His farm, Harvest Farms, has become a local landmark of organic vegetable production, where innovation and hard work go hand in hand. Aaron’s operation stretches a...

20/11/2025

🚧 Community consultation now open for the $100 million upgrade of Bells Line of Road!

📣 Your thoughts could help shape safer curves, wildlife crossings, rest-areas & more.
What’s your top priority for the road upgrade?

Give your feedback here: haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/bells-line-road
NSW Government

Drop-in sessions where you can meet the team and have your say:
-Saturday 22 Nov, 10 am-12 pm — Bilpin Markets
NSW Government
-Saturday 22 Nov, 2 pm-4 pm — Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens
NSW Government
-Saturday 29 Nov, 10 am-12 pm — Redbank Village
NSW Government
-Saturday 29 Nov, 2 pm-4 pm — Kurrajong Friendly Grocer

The Australian Government is investing $100 million toward safety improvements on the stretch between Bell and North Richmond and The public is now being asked to comment on these proposals and help determine which projects are delivered first.

20/11/2025

🐾 Looking for a new four-legged friend?

Greyhounds As Pets are bringing dozens of calm, loving greyhounds to Londonderry this Saturday 22 November 2025 from 10 am–1 pm. You could take one home at a special adoption-day rate.

Want to get a head start? Register for the “Dogalogue” to browse the dogs’ personalities ahead of the event.

Greyhounds Looking for Love: Adoption Day Comes to Londonderry this Saturday 22 November.

19/11/2025

Getting fit and feeling connected!
At YMCA Windsor (AKA “the Y” in the Hawkesbury), it’s not just about the workout, it’s about the community. From Friday-morning boxing classes to creche support for new mums, this local hub has grown into so much more.

The YMCA Windsor: A Community Hub for Fitness, Fun, and Friendships

18/11/2025

Hawkesbury Council has just approved a 39.4% rate hike over the next four years, a move opposed by the majority of residents in recent surveys.

The "Option 3" plan was passed 7–4 tonight, even though it wasn't one of the original options put out for consultation.

Do you think this increase is justified to maintain services, or should Council have listened to the 70% of residents who wanted to stick to the rate peg? 👇

Hawkesbury Council Approves “Option 3”: Rates to Rise 39.4% Over Four Years

17/11/2025

Hawkesbury Artist Call-Out: Group Exhibition – Hawkesbury Regional Gallery

HOME | A Place We Call

Exhibition Dates: 13 March – 31 May 2026
Applications Close: Wednesday 10 December 2025, 5:00pm

Artist Callout: HOME | A Place We Call

Hawkesbury Regional Gallery is inviting artists from across the Hawkesbury to be part of our upcoming group exhibition, Home, opening in March 2026.

Home considers the many ways we inhabit, remember, and imagine place. For some, home is a refuge, a source of comfort, identity, and belonging. For others, it may be a place of change, tension, or displacement. The exhibition explores how personal histories, cultural inheritance, migration, and the environment shape our understanding of home, and how these meanings overlap, diverge, and evolve within our community.

We welcome artists working in different mediums; including painting, sculpture, photography, installation, and new media to share creative responses that reflect on this theme.

Artists may submit existing works or proposals for new works that engage with the idea of home in any of its forms: physical, emotional, cultural, or imagined.

Visit our website for full details and how to apply: https://www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/gallery/exhibitions/callout-home-2026