OWNER / PUBLISHER Julie Ryan 0421 574 093 info @ hdinews . com . au PO Box 16 WINDSOR NSW 2756
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
EDITOR
SUB EDITOR
SENIOR JOURNALIST
SPORTS JOURNALIST
FREELANCE WRITER
SOCIAL MEDIA
PHOTOGRAPHY
ADVERTISING SALES
production @ hdinews . com . au
Maryann Jenkins 0427 442 452 maryann @ hdinews . com . au
Lorraine Clifford 0488 025 533 lorraine @ hdinews . com . au
Greg Martin 0420 655 524 greg @ hdinews . com . au
Patrick Staveley 0406 225 405 patrick @ hdinews . com . au
Lorna Gordon 0402 596 244 lorna @ hdinews . com . au
Haley De Martin 0408 634 583 haley @ hdinews . com . au
Kathryn Johnston 0422 404 366 kath @ hdinews . com . au
Myee Lallyette 0413 305 578 myee @ hdinews . com . au
David Burnet 0412 448 883 david @ hdinews . com . au
Susan Bird 0415 202 380 susan @ hdinews . com . au
Tanya Cook 0413 953 000 tanya @ hdinews . com . au
Disclaimer : The comments of columnists and contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the Independent magazine group . The Independent nor any person acting on their behalf , may be held responsible for the use to which the information contained in this publication may be put , or for any errors which , despite careful preparation and checking , may appear .
NEWS IN BRIEF
Macdonald Valley scores $ 280k disaster grant
The Macdonald Valley Association has secured a federal government grant of $ 280,227 to improve the region ’ s communications , including establishing a residents ’ radio network .
The Black Summer Bushfire grant will be used over two to three years to better equip the community to cope with emergencies and disasters .
There will be a residents ’ UHF radio network , with every household connected to a valley-wide comms relay conduit , and emergency kit grab bags of essential tools and information .
Council has also approved more directional road and site identifying signage in the valley to assist emergency services .
Apprenticeships boom
Hawkesbury and the Blue Mountains are in the midst of a trade apprenticeship boom according to Minister for Employment , Workforce , Skills , Small and Family Business Stuart Robert .
He said record funding of $ 13 billion in skills and training funding through the pandemic has secured a generation of local apprentices .
Liberal Senator for Western Sydney , Senator Marise Payne , said new data shows youth unemployment is at 9 per cent , down from 12.7 per cent under Labor . Australians undertaking skills and training has surged with total in-training apprenticeships and traineeships for September 2021 at 355,488 up from 264,585 in September 2020 .
Hawkesbury firm awarded Hercules contract
South Windsor-based engineering consultants AMCE , along with the company Armor Composite Engineering , has been awarded $ 2.13 million to improve the safety of the C-130 airlifter aircraft .
Prime Minister Scott Morrison was joined by federal Liberal candidate for the Seat of Macquarie , Sarah Richards ( pictured ), when making the announcement , saying the company had developed a cutting-edge , lightweight armour for the planes to protect them from ballistic attacks .
Plant a tree for the Queen
Prime Minister Scott Morrison with Sarah Richards at the announcement .
“ This is not just exciting because Aerospace and Mechanical Consulting Engineers ( AMCE ) have been engaged for their innovative talent , but it means jobs and opportunity for the Hawkesbury ,” Ms Richards said .
“ I find the idea that innovation born in the Hawkesbury , which will end up protecting Defence Force personnel and strengthening the aircraft , a pretty exciting concept . The entire Hawkesbury can feel proud after hearing that this new technology created locally , may be sold to other countries .”
Local groups are urged to apply for up to $ 20,000 of funding by 10 March , to hold commemorative events that will see regionally appropriate trees planted to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty , Queen Elizabeth II , in 2022 .
“ This is a terrific opportunity , but I know the $ 100,000 [ available to the electorate ] will disappear fast . I am allowed to select up to 10 projects with grants ranging from $ 2500 to $ 20,000 per project ,” Macquarie MP Susan Templeman said .
“ Eligible groups include not-for-profit organisations – such as Scouts or Girl Guides – Landcare groups , government and non-government schools , P & C associations , community groups and councils .”
For details , check the guidelines at business . gov . au / ptqj or email susan . templeman . mp @ aph . gov . au .
Crown land upgrades
$ 122,931 has been set aside to improve Hawkesbury ’ s Crown Land reserves and community facilities . “ The announcement of $ 110,681 for the maintenance and improvements of historic Freemans Reach School of Arts hall is well deserved ,” said Hawkesbury MP Robyn Preston . “ Works will include the construction of a retaining wall , repairs to the iron wall , fencing , new pathways , painting , tree pruning and the installation of a fire hydrant .”
Hawkesbury River County Council will receive $ 12,250 for the harvesting of aquatic weeds from the Nepean River .
• Decorative Gravels
• Nepean River
• Griffith Red
• Cowra , White & Gold
• Charcoal
• Firewood
• Aussie Brown
• Scoria Red & White
• Blue Metal
• Road Base
• Sand 14 Types
• Recycled Road Base
• Recycled Aggregates
• Bush Rock
• Sandstone Flagging
• Cements
• Softfall ( Play Ground )
• Pine Bark
• Coloured Wood Chip
• Eucalyptus Mulch
• Hardwood Chip
• Softwood Chip
• Leaf Mulch
Cnr Windsor & Rouse Roads ROUSE HILL
TURTLE
NURSERY
AND LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES
TURF AVAILABLE * SIR WALTER * EUREKA KIKUYU * NULLARBOR COUCH * TIFFTUFF * SIR GRANGE
All materials available in small bags Specialising in 1 tonne Bulka-Bags
DELIVERIES 7 DAYS OPEN 7 DAYS PLEASE CONSIDER HOME DELIVERY
• Cypress Wood Chip
• Top Soil
• Organic Garden Mix
• Premium Garden Mix
• 80 / 20 Top Dressing
Cnr Racecourse & Blacktown Roads SOUTH WINDSOR
Phone : 9629 2299 Phone : 4574 3299
www . turtlenursery . com . au ( Check for COVID entry conditions )
• Organic Top Dressing
• Filling Sand
• Turf Underlay
• Mushroom Compost
• Treated Pine Sleepers
4 ISSUE 142 // MARCH 2022 theindependentmagazine . com . au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT