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As we reach the final edition of the year, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supports The Independent whether you’ re an advertiser, a reader, or one of the many community voices who share their stories with us each month.
This magazine exists because of you. Your support allows us to shine a light on the people, places and projects that make our region so special.
This Christmas, Hills residents can have their overdue library fines waived simply by donating non-perishable food items as part of the Mayor’ s Christmas Library Fine Amnesty. See page 4. A controversial proposal for two 40-storey towers in Bella Vista is being fast-tracked by the NSW Government’ s Housing Delivery Authority( HDA), prompting criticism that the Government is abandoning its own planning rules just one year after setting them. Full story on page 5.
Fresh Christmas trees are available for two weekends only, with families able to pick up a beautiful real tree from one of two convenient locations- and know that 100 per cent of profits go directly to Rotary’ s community projects here and abroad. Details on page 8.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Helping Hands is on page 9
New designs for the $ 910 million Rouse Hill Hospital unveiled on page 12. There’ s history, sport, movie ticket giveaways, Duckman, Harpo— and even a family pass to Cirque Alice and a $ 200 Archie Bros voucher inside this edition. From all of us at The Independent,
Merry Christmas.
We hope you enjoy time with family and friends and have a safe and happy New Year.
See you all in 2026!
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HILLS DISTRICT
INDEPENDENT
Issue 126 | December 2025 Phone 4588 5055 | e: info @ hdinews. com. au theindependentmagazine. com. au
The Independent Magazine acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which our company is located and where we conduct our business.
We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present. The Independent is committed to honouring Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society.
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H I N E S E & A S I A N C U I S I N E
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Merry Christmas
FROM ALL OF US... Wishing you and your family a joyous holiday season & a happy and healthy year ahead.
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THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine. com. au MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS! ISSUE 126 // DECEMBER 2025 3