The leaders of Hawkesbury Council have been elected for the next 12 months, with Kim Ford entering his fourth term as mayor, while independent councillor Bob Porter, elected to Council in 2004, was voted into the role of deputy mayor for the first time.
How does it feel to be elected deputy mayor?
Bob Porter: I’m quite proud to be elected by my peers and it will allow me to further share my vision.
Some things I have already achieved include the three-town sewerage system, bringing problems with the Windsor Bridge to light and lobbying Council to do something about replacing the old bridge; it’s extremely disappointing that the political agenda of those in the black tent is to try and stop a major project that will benefit the Hawkesbury community.
Also, the reforms put in place for the rating structure, which for 30 years was the laughing stock of adjoining councils and had a huge impact on rural residential residents; the average rate today for Bligh Park is less than rate pegging.
What are some goals you hope to achieve over the next year?
Kim Ford: There are three big issues: development, regional co-operation, a balanced budget.
[We need to] continue the sustainable development of the Hawkesbury, by controlling it and maintaining the rural charm of the area. At the moment not one single house has been built under the Residential Land Strategy. Over the next two to three years is when we will see that happening. Better roads and better evacuation routes need to be in place and we need to start looking at options.
Under regional co-operation, the state government is pushing towards regional sectors getting together. We are already achieving that with the Hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter, and there are other areas we can expand, such as future transport needs.
The budget is also a huge responsibility as it becomes council’s blueprint for the next 12 months. We have to make sure Council is functional, that we have a quorum, that development applications are processed and the business of Council is carried out.
BP: Get the Windsor Bridge finalised and out of the Land and Environment Court.
[We need to] implement all elements of the Flood Study plans, with implementation of evacuation routes and measures to concentrate on what we can do, and advise the state government on stage two of the proposal. In February next year it’s been 23 years since we’ve had a flood and we are just sitting here waiting for it to happen. The consequences are going to be massive.
If we have two bridges under mid-week it’ll be absolute mayhem. We should have been pushing for a flood-free crossing for the past 50 years. There’s about 140-150 kilometres of Hawkesbury Nepean river system that doesn’t have a flood-free bridge.
There are also residents who still don’t have access to a sewerage system or power, particularly up the back of Colo, and there’s no public transport. If we continue with the mentality [that] it’s a state and federal government problem, then we don’t lobby and push in the right direction and nothing happens.
What’s the most positive thing you have achieved as mayor?
KF: Council is still in a strong financial position.
We have controlled development within the Residential Land Strategy. It allows for future planning and maintains the rural atmosphere, as well as providing growth for people to live. There’s currently not enough housing stock in the Hawkesbury. Over 10 years there hasn’t been much growth.
What do you see as issues?
KF: Rates, development and amalgamation. The general community want all the services we provide, but the noisy minority doesn’t want development and doesn’t want amalgamation. Unless you have sustainable development you will be amalgamated.
BP: We need the bypass at Pitt Town. We are on the fringes of Sydney and still virtually unknown. There’s huge potential for passive recreation on the river; the section between Windsor and North Richmond Bridge is sadly neglected. We could utilise it for canoeing, rowing, fishing and swimming. We also don’t promote boat races enough and they bring so much to the area. These boat races could be as big as the Bathurst 1000.
What’s your stance on:
Development west of the River?
KF: In favour of it as it’s under the guidance of the Residential Land Strategy.
BP: It’s why I changed tack with the North Richmond development. If we keep it within Council’s control we can dictate what the terms are and agreement is, and make sure the developer stands by that.
Potential strategic alliance between Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains and Penrith councils?
KF: The Hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter is already the success story of this, as is the Hawkesbury River County Council, which deals with issues such as weed eradication. It’s made up of four councils — Hawkesbury, Hills, Blacktown and Penrith.
BP: We would be able to lobby as a region and dictate, rather than having to amalgamate.
Progress on Windsor Bridge?
KF: Get on with it already. If there wasn’t a minority protesting it would be up and running. It’s a shame the illegal occupation of Thompson Square has stopped it from happening.
BP: When I was elected to Council in 2004 one of the points I was running for was the replacement of Windsor Bridge due to safety issues. About 2007-2008 Riverstone MP John Aquilina put out a press release saying we should be driving over it in 2010.
