Why this web site and who runs it?

Why?

The Hawkesbury LGA is centred around a floodplain.

We have 4 major rivers and a number of significant creeks, as well as smaller creeks and tributaries, wetlands and ephemeral wetlands.

All of these things are the reason why European settlement happened. We know it floods.  When Governor Philip turned up here in a boat, he saw debris high up in the trees.  Indigenous people told him about the floods.  Early colonial settlers were repeatedly flooded out. So why is development on the floodplain continuing and what can we do to mitigate against the effects of flood?

This web site is an attempt to bring as much information as we can find about floods, the floodplain, development and mitigation measures, to one place.  To act as a resource for a conversation our community needs to have, and to hopefully help people who need it.

Who:

This site was set up by Venecia Wilson of Hawkesbury Ratepayers and Residents Action using content sourced by myself and many others.  Most is already available, but sometimes hard to find.

Having lived in the Hawkesbury since 1974, I've seen a lot of floods.  I've also seen how development has increased on and around the floodplain over that time.

I've been involved in community since I was a kid.  My parents both encouraged seeking out information and being involved in community.

By way of disclosure -

I'm not a member of any political party and I never will be.

I ran on an Independent ticket for council in 2016 and an Independent group ticket for the NSW Upper House in 2015 because I was so frustrated at the political nonsense which muddies the community's voice.

But I will never seek election again.

I believe that no matter who is in charge, they need to be accountable and focus on listening to and making decisions in the best interests of the community.

Yes, I was part of CAWB - because I didn't believe (and still don't) that the Windsor Bridge Replacement Project was the best solution for our community. I'm a member of a number of other community groups as well and happy to expand on the detail, but I don't want to turn this into a CV.