INDEPENDENT magazine group HAWKESBURY • HILLS • BLACKTOWN
INDEPENDENT magazine group HAWKESBURY • HILLS • BLACKTOWN
Julie Ryan 0421 574 093 OWNER / EDITOR / PUBLISHER info @ hdinews . com . au PO Box 16 WINDSOR NSW 2756
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
SUB EDITOR
SENIOR JOURNALIST
JOURNALIST
FREELANCE WRITER
SPORTS WRITER
CONTRIBUTORS
SOCIAL MEDIA
PHOTOGRAPHY
ADVERTISING SALES
Natalie Reed 0411 030 474 Natwest Creative Designs www . natwestcreativedesigns . com . au
production @ hdinews . com . au
Lorraine Clifford 0488 025 533 lorraine @ hdinews . com . au
Greg Martin 0420 655 524 greg @ hdinews . com . au
Maryann Callaghan 0427 442 452 maryann @ hdinews . com . au
Lorna Gordon 0402 596 244 lorna @ hdinews . com . au
Matt Austin 0425 304 006 duckman @ hdinews . com . au
Lachlan Turner John Macdonald
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
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 .
LOCAL LIFE
Community input sought on State ’ s first plan to reduce risk
and impact of floods in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley
Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley residents are being encouraged to have their say and join a new community panel to help work underway to reduce the risk and impact of future floods in the region . The Valley is in one of the most dangerous floodplains in Australia . It is often compared to a bathtub – one with five ‘ taps ’ flowing in and only one
drain . Between 2020 and 2022 , the area flooded six times . The extreme depth of floods in the Valley means that large numbers of people often need to evacuate at short notice before roads out are cut off .
The work to reduce the risk and impact of floods is being led by the state ’ s disaster preparedness and recovery agency , the NSW Reconstruction Authority ( RA ), through the state ’ s first regional Disaster Adaptation Plan ( DAP ).
A key direction in the State Disaster Mitigation Plan , the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley DAP will investigate infrastructure options to better support communities as well as strategies and ways to improve flood awareness and preparedness . Disaster risk reduction requires a coordinated , place and community-centred approach . Local or regional DAPs will help communities become more aware and prepared and inform future planning processes , and rebuilding and reconstruction efforts after a disaster occurs .
DAPs will be developed by the RA , councils , Aboriginal landowners and other organisations with the RA currently developing DAP Guidelines and Framework to help guide these place-based plans .
The Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley stretches from Brooklyn to Wallacia and Wisemans Ferry . It covers land in the Hawkesbury , Hills , Blacktown , Penrith , Central Coast , Wollondilly , Liverpool and Hornsby local government areas . The high priority DAP will cover the whole region , spanning all 8 LGAs .
The NSW Government has been
Would you like a vending machine in your place of business ?
Talk to us today !
Free Hire Available
WE SUPPLY Snacks & drink combos Drink machines Snack machines
Talk to us today !
0403 583 412 or 0421 574 093
PHOTO FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY
4 ISSUE 167 // APRIL 2024 theindependentmagazine . com . au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT