Local industry in the Hawkesbury will see a boost with the Albanese Labor Government decision to invest in 20 new C-130J Hercules aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force , to be operated and maintained at the RAAF Richmond .

Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman , welcomed the $ 9.8 billion announcement and said it has wide reaching benefits for the Hawkesbury .

“ The Hawkesbury is proud to be the home of the Hercules aircraft , and we know they are a vital part of our Defence force ” Ms Templeman said .

“ The new aircraft will replace and expand the current fleet , which have

been part of almost every major Defence operation since their deliver to Richmond between 1999 and 2001 .

“ The increase in the fleet , from 12 aircraft to 20 , is good news for the ongoing operation of the RAAF Base Richmond where the aircraft will continue to be operated by No . 37 Squadron .

“ More aircraft means more jobs in maintenance and more jobs as we build the infrastructure required to support them at the base .

“ The Hercs can carry people or pallets , heavy machinery or medical supplies , and have been used in disaster response

locally and overseas . “ Having a bigger fleet equips us to respond to a wide range of challenges we

may face in the future , and is part of our commitment to make sure the ADF has the capability it needs .”

with Robyn Preston MP

Until recently , Australia was the only country in the world , to be free of the Varroa mite , but that changed in June 2022 , when Varroa destructor was found in sentinel hives at the Port of Newcastle .

The approach by NSW Department of Primary Industries ( NSW DPI ) at that time , was to eradicate . This strategy has continued as new infestations have been discovered in the state , which are identified as Varroa Mite Eradication Emergency Zones and unfortunately this mite has been identified in some areas in Hawkesbury .

The strategy requires a short-term removal of managed and wild European honeybees and NSW DPI aim to complete this program by June 2026 .

I must say , this eradication program has caused great anxiety and stress for those in the beekeeping industry and our primary producers .

So far , there have been 130,000 tests conducted on hives across the state and as I move about Hawkesbury and beyond , there are many not associated with the industry , that are unaware of the infestation , let alone the effect it will have from ‘ paddock to plate ’ in the future .

New South Wales provides many bees to other states for pollination of crops too and there can be serious consequences if the Varroa mite infestation isn ’ t stopped .

In the past weeks , NSW DPI have held community information sessions in Hawkesbury at St Albans , Wilberforce and Glenorie and plan to hold more around the Bilpin and Kurrajong area too . If you are a registered recreational beekeeper with NSW DPI and your hives are euthanised , there is compensation for you . The Department will work with you to manage the disposal , so please call the

hotline on 1800 084 881 or you can email varroa . response @ emergency . dpi . nsw . gov . au

The website www . dpi . nsw . gov . au / varroa has more handy information or you can call my office for further advice and updates on 02 4578 0300 or email me hawkesbury @ parliament . nsw . gov . au