with Robyn Preston MP
Hawkesbury Floods 2022
The community of Hawkesbury has once again been devastated by catastrophic flooding , leaving many families and businesses bereft after their homes and properties were ravaged by floodwaters .
Days of torrential rain saw the overflowing Hawkesbury River inundate roads and bridges which isolated locals , cut many off from power and essential supplies and forced many residents to evacuate their homes .
I would like to extend my appreciation to the groups who volunteered to help the community respond to the flooding , including the NSW SES who dedicated days and nights responding to emergency calls for help and clearing debris and mud from homes and buildings as well as rescuing livestock and animals .
I would also like to thank the Hawkesbury Police Area Command , NSW Fire and Rescue , NSW RFS , Australian Defence Force , RMS and the mayors , councillors and staff from Hawkesbury City Council and The Hills Shire Council .
The community is deeply grateful for the efforts of volunteer groups and their generosity in providing shelter and essential goods , including the preparation and delivery of food hampers by Fiona Germaine , Karen Stuttle from Mountain of Joy in Kurrajong Heights , as well as Linda Strickland from Hawkesbury ’ s Helping Hands .
The NSW Government offers support to the people of Hawkesbury who have endured many challenges .
There is a $ 50,000 grant available to flood-affected small business owners to help cover the cost of restocking and reopening their doors and primary producers needing to repair flood damage to their properties or replace stock or recover crops can receive a grant of up to $ 75,000 .
The $ 285 million Temporary Housing Support Package has the ability to soften the blow of this catastrophic event for thousands of people and assist around 25,000 households .
Flood affected residents are now able to access advice on financial assistance , mental health and wellbeing services , clean up services and insurance and legal support through the Recovery Centres at The Retreat at Wisemans Ferry and at South Windsor and are open six days a week .
Natural disasters such as these floods take a heavy toll on those impacted , who are often forced to leave their homes and belongings behind and evacuate , so our gratitude goes out to all the government and non-government agencies who are pulling together to alleviate some of the stress the community is currently suffering through .
If you have difficulty navigating the assistance pathway , call me on 4578 0300 or email me : hawkesbury @ parliament . nsw . gov . au .
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MACQUARIE AVAILABLE TO HELP
• Education and Training
• Centrelink
• Medicare
• NBN & Telecommunications
• Defence & Veterans Affairs
• Immigration
• NDIS
• Child Support
• Taxation
Office : 299 George Street , Windsor NSW 2756 ( across from Windsor Library ) Phone : ( 02 ) 4573 8222 Email : susan . templeman . mp @ aph . gov . au Mail : PO Box 855 , Windsor NSW 2756 OPEN : Mon - Fri 9am-5pm www . susantempleman . com . au
Authorised by S . Templeman , ALP ( NSW Branch ). 299 George St Windsor NSW 2756
A future that ’ s made in Australia
with Susan Templeman MP
As the Hawkesbury begins recovering from yet another natural disaster , the strength of our community spirit has again shone through the rain .
It was there after the bushfires , and it was there after the first two floods . It was there when neighbours looked out for each other during the waves of COVID , and it ’ s now so apparent as we navigate the latest flood recovery .
Working together we can achieve great things , and that ’ s what I want to see ; a nation that , by working together , can get things done .
We can work together to get more things made not just in Australia , but right here in the Hawkesbury . In fact , I have stood very proudly as the Member of Parliament who has the only Australian manufacturer of rapid antigen tests ( RATs ) in the initial Therapeutic Goods Administration ( TGA ) at-home testing kits listing .
I was working with that company , Innovation Scientific , for many months to educate businesses about the role of RATs to keep our local economy moving long before the government approved them , and to demonstrate the quality of a product made in Australia .
It ’ s the sort of thing we should have more of in the Hawkesbury . And it ’ s the vision of an Albanese government to rebuild our manufacturing industry , ensuring a future that is made here in Australia .
Part of our plan to do that is to get the cheapest energy to the manufacturing sector through an upgrade to our outdated energy grid .
One of the keys to a future made in Australia is cheap , renewable energy , and our Powering Australia Plan will create more than 600,000 jobs , boost renewables to 82 per cent of the grid by 2030 and give people a $ 275 drop in their energy bills by 2050 .
We will also prioritise local defence jobs through our Defence Industry
Development Strategy , as well as ensuring our young people get an opportunity to learn a skill or trade , by guaranteeing one in 10 workers on federally funded projects will be an apprentice , trainee , or cadet .
What we won ’ t do is divide our community through fear . Working together with people ,
Labor has a plan for cheaper childcare , cheaper power bills and more secure , well-paid jobs .
Have a look at our plan for a future made in Australia here : anthonyalbanese . com . au / the-issues / a- future-made-in-australia .
20 ISSUE 143 // APRIL 2022 theindependentmagazine . com . au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT