POLITICS
FROM THE MAYOR’ S DESK
with Hawkesbury City Mayor Les Sheather
A common complaint at councils right across Sydney is that they, and we, take too long to process development applications. We took these complaints as a challenge and for the past two years Council staff have been rebuilding, from the ground up, our development application processes.
In June 2024, the average time it took for us to process a development application was 175 days. Now, it is just 68 days- placing Hawkesbury within the top 10 performing councils in the Greater Sydney Region. For the month of December 2025, Hawkesbury’ s processing of residential applications was the fastest of Sydney’ s 33 councils with an average time of 31 days and fifth fastest overall this financial year.
This is an incredible achievement, but we want to be even better. So this month we started piloting an online planning tool that will help you speed up your development application by giving you clear advice right at the beginning before you even pick up the phone to call us. So if you’ re planning to lodge an application with us, check out the Archistar online planning tool at www. hawkesbury. nsw. gov. au / planand-build / planning-advice
We are also getting on with the job of building a Hawkesbury that is loved by its people. And of course, this includes our committed focus to fixing and upgrading roads right across our City. I’ m excited to report that the next stage of the redevelopment of Woodbury Reserve at Glossodia is now underway. In addition to the new BMX pump track and skate park that has already been built, we’ re building new multi-purpose courts, play space, amenities building, picnic shelters and footpaths, as well as upgrading the parking and cricket nets. These improvements are part of the Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants program, with additional Federal and State funding. If you live in or around Kurrajong, I encourage you also to have your say on plans for the future upgrade of McMahons Park. This park plays an important role in the community as a space for organised sport and passive recreational pursuits, and for community gatherings and services. Our spaces and places are designed with the community in front of mind, so please take the time to have your say at www. yourhawkesburyyoursay. com. au
New Volunteer Grants open for Macquarie organisations
Community organisations across Macquarie are being encouraged to apply for funding under the Government’ s new $ 10 million Volunteer Grants Round for 2025 – 26.
More than $ 66,000 has been allocated to the Macquarie electorate, with eligible organisations able to apply for grants of between $ 1,000 and $ 5,000. The funding is designed to support local groups that rely on volunteers across the Blue Mountains, Nepean and Hawkesbury regions.
Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman is calling for Expressions of Interest from community organisations that could benefit from the program. Grants can be used to purchase small equipment for volunteers or to cover expenses related to volunteer-led activities. The program forms part of the Government’ s broader commitment to strengthening the volunteer sector, including initiatives under the National Strategy for Volunteering 2023 – 2033 and the recent“ Hanging Out to Help Out” campaign encouraging young people to volunteer.
Assistant Minister Ged Kearney said volunteers play a vital role in strengthening communities across Australia.
“ Volunteer grants are one of the ways the Australian Government demonstrates its commitment to supporting the critical role volunteers play,” she said.
Ms Templeman said she had seen firsthand the impact the grants have made since her election in 2016, supporting food services, sporting clubs, wildlife groups, and organisations such as Girl Guides and Scouts.
She encouraged groups to review the updated guidelines, noting that eligible costs and activities may have changed. This round also recognises specific groups and activities, including veterans and Australian Defence Force members, children under 18, and initiatives promoting racial understanding and inclusion.
Expressions of interest can be submitted via Ms Templeman’ s website.
Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman with some of the team from Bligh Park Community Services, a past recipient under a previous round of the Volunteer Grants program.
THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine. com. au ISSUE 190 // MARCH 2026 23