Rachel Russell - Wingecarribee

02/09/2026

Bush Fire Danger Period to start on 14 September 2026

The Bush Fire Danger Period of the Wingecarribee Shire Council and Wollondilly Shire Council areas has been brought forward to 14 September due to prevailing dry conditions. This means that a Fire Permit will be required from 14 September to light or maintain fire in the open.

Residents and land holders should also ensure they understand the rules around the use of fire. Along with required fire permits, you must also notify your local fire authority and neighbours of your intent to burn 24 hours in advance.

To apply for a Fire Permit visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/notify and be sure to give us as much notice as possible as a Fire Permit Officer will need to visit your property prior to issuing a permit.

Know the risks for your area, have a bush fire survival plan and discuss what you and your family will do if threatened by fire.

For more information, visit the RFS website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/BFDP

fans

02/09/2026

Careful: reports on ABC Illawarra this morning about counterfeit cash doing the rounds

This page includes a counterfeit detection guide to help spot a counterfeit banknote.

31/08/2026

☀️ My personal submission on behalf of our community re DA to introduce a humongous extractive industry between Moss Vale, Berrima and Burradoo. We need to align development assessment with what we say and what is in our adopted policies and strategies at both State and Local Government levels. These have election mandates.

This DA proposal does not.

☀️Everyone wins if the State Government supports our community’s shared vision for our Southern Highlands, and we get the integrity of our planning processes right. I discuss what’s best value in a public benefit test: Good old common ‘dollars and sense’! All backed by election mandates.

💲Now is the time we need a cost benefit analysis of what’s best value for the NSW Treasury in management of our Drinking Water Catchment. If we look after the place it’s the ounce of prevention that’s better value than a tonne of cure.

Thank you to the Stop The Gas Plant - Southern Highlands for all their work to connect and inform our community on this proposal.

30/08/2026

THE NEPALESE CRISIS
The management and staff of HCC sends our condolences and offers our support to the Southern Highlands Nepalese community, as news of the crisis in the Rasuwa District of Nepal unfolds.

We have a vibrant and strong Nepalese community in the Southern Highlands, along with many other local people affected by this crisis through family, friends, neighbours and colleagues. Many others have experienced the splendor of Nepal and the kindness of the Nepalese as travellers. All our hearts are heavy today as we pray and hope for relief for all those impacted by the enormous loss of life and property.

Our local Nepalese community have asked that we “Pray for Nepal” today and in the long days and weeks ahead. For up-to-date information about other local activities, please visit the Southern Highlands Nepali Community page (https://www.facebook.com/share/19Ty58w87j/?mibextid=wwXIfr).

Nepalese language information and assistance can be obtained from the Nepalese Consulate (http://www.nepal-consulate.net.au/). Up to date information and travel advice is available from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (https://www.dfat.gov.au/crisis-hub/flooding-nepal-and-china).

26/08/2026

Emails have been sent from a random email address, and in the body of the text claiming to be from me.

In this digital age we may see many more such cyber attacks and it’s always wise to exercise caution.

If you wish to check anything or notify me of suspicious activity please send me a message to Rachel Russell - Wingecarribee.

Thank you for working with me on this while the authorities conduct their investigations.

Rachel