News

With the 2024 Hawkesbury local government elections fast approaching, voters are being presented with a diverse slate of candidates. These candidates bring different perspectives on growth, urban development, and infrastructure planning—issues that will shape the region's future. Urban City Group, as a key player in the local building certification and planning sector, recognizes the importance of these decisions in ensuring the community’s continued prosperity while balancing environmental sustainability and heritage preservation.

Here is an overview of the key candidates and how their stances on urban growth and development could influence the lives of local residents:

Danielle Wheeler (Greens)

Wheeler is running on a platform that emphasizes environmental sustainability and protecting natural habitats. As a Greens candidate, she prioritizes eco-friendly development that ensures the preservation of the Hawkesbury’s unique environment. Her approach is to limit large-scale developments, especially in areas with significant biodiversity, like koala habitats.

Impact on Development: Wheeler’s policies would likely lead to a focus on green infrastructure, limiting larger residential developments to protect the natural environment. This would mean that while housing growth may be slower, the long-term sustainability of the region would be prioritized, benefiting residents who value environmental conservation.

Mary Lyons-Buckett (Independent)

Lyons-Buckett, a long-standing advocate for community involvement and transparency in decision-making, supports a balanced approach to urban growth. She believes development should enhance infrastructure without overwhelming the region's natural and cultural heritage. She’s known for championing responsible governance and thoughtful, well-planned expansion.

Impact on Development: Under her leadership, development would likely proceed at a moderate pace, with careful consideration for infrastructure improvements. This would result in better roads, public services, and housing projects that align with the community’s needs, without sacrificing the region's rural character. For residents, this means incremental improvements that would enhance livability without drastically altering the landscape.

Amanda Kotlash (Labor)

Kotlash has a strong focus on infrastructure improvement and housing affordability. Her platform includes building more affordable homes to meet the needs of families, while simultaneously upgrading public services and transportation. Kotlash sees development as a necessary tool to address the region’s growing population and housing demands.

Impact on Development: Kotlash’s support for larger housing developments, including affordable housing projects, could lead to an influx of new residential opportunities for first-time buyers and renters. Residents might see a faster rate of development, particularly in areas where housing is needed most, alongside efforts to ensure that public infrastructure grows to accommodate this expansion.

Shane Djuric (Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers Party)

Djuric is running with a focus on preserving the Hawkesbury’s agricultural land and rural identity. He opposes large-scale urban developments and mass housing projects, particularly in sensitive rural areas. However, he supports smaller, family-driven projects, such as allowing secondary dwellings to help locals provide housing for their families.

Impact on Development: Djuric’s policies could slow down urban expansion, helping maintain the rural character of the region, which is cherished by many residents. He supports smaller developments that offer flexibility to families, like the construction of granny flats, which could provide a middle ground for those wanting to expand their properties without large-scale housing estates affecting the landscape.

Les Sheather (Independent)

Les Sheather is running on a platform centered on collaboration, practical growth, and preserving the Hawkesbury’s heritage. He advocates for development that works in harmony with the local community, ensuring that growth is managed responsibly while respecting the area’s rural character. Sheather emphasizes the importance of bringing together diverse voices in the decision-making process, ensuring that any development benefits everyone.

Impact on Development: Sheather's approach promotes a collaborative effort, ensuring that residents, local businesses, and council members are involved in shaping future developments. This focus on unity and partnership means that new projects will likely be targeted in areas suited for growth, with an emphasis on preserving the region's identity. Sheather’s policies would foster moderate, well-planned development, ensuring that both housing needs and infrastructure improvements are met without overwhelming the region. This collaborative mindset would likely lead to projects that not only meet current housing demands but also ensure long-term benefits for the entire community, including improved local amenities and better public services.

Angela Maguire (Independent)

Maguire's platform centers around integrity in leadership and strategic growth that considers both housing and infrastructure. She is committed to ensuring that any development is backed by the necessary infrastructure to avoid straining local services and facilities. Maguire also highlights the importance of preserving local businesses and tourism as part of her growth strategy.

Impact on Development: Maguire’s approach could result in carefully planned residential projects that improve housing availability while ensuring roads, schools, and healthcare services are expanded alongside them. Residents may benefit from housing growth that’s thoughtfully integrated with the community’s long-term needs, leading to a more sustainable and well-supported region.

Nathan Zamprogno (Independent)

Zamprogno, a former Liberal councillor, is an advocate for community-driven development decisions. His approach emphasizes a need for transparency in council processes and ensuring that developments serve the local population, rather than just benefiting developers. He supports development that is balanced with infrastructure improvements and community welfare.

Impact on Development: Zamprogno’s stance would likely mean controlled, well-managed development projects that prioritize infrastructure upgrades. For residents, this could mean an improved quality of life through enhanced public services and well-planned housing growth, ensuring that development serves the broader community interests rather than developer-driven expansion.

Sarah McMahon (Independent)

As a former mayor, McMahon has a history of advocating for transparent governance and well-planned growth. She supports infrastructure development that complements housing projects, ensuring the region grows without losing its identity. Her focus on governance and responsible planning ensures that new developments are both sustainable and community-oriented.

Impact on Development: McMahon’s policies would likely encourage balanced growth, with an emphasis on infrastructure upgrades alongside housing developments. This would improve local services such as healthcare, education, and transport, enhancing the overall quality of life for residents while preserving the region’s rural charm.

The Future of Development in the Hawkesbury

The positions of these candidates reflect different approaches to managing growth and development in the Hawkesbury. Some, like Kotlash, see urban expansion as a means to address housing shortages and infrastructure needs, others like Wheeler and Djuric, prioritize environmental sustainability and protecting the region’s rural identity and candidates like Sheather have a stronger focus on collaboration and community engagement. These differences will play a major role in determining the 2024 local government election and how the candidates will shape the future of development in the Hawkesbury.

Urban City Group, as a key player in the building certification and planning industry, understands that these decisions will have a long-term impact on both residents and businesses. By navigating these changes and providing expert guidance on how to approach development in a responsible, compliant, and community-focused way, Urban City Group remains committed to ensuring that the Hawkesbury continues to grow in a sustainable, balanced, and thoughtful manner.

This election is critical for determining the future of the region, and the stances these candidates take on development will have lasting impacts on housing, infrastructure, and the overall quality of life for the Hawkesbury’s residents.