CAWB is a grassroots organisation based in Windsor NSW, the third oldest settlement in Australia. We are dedicated to fighting for the most progressive infrastructure solution for Windsor and the Hawkesbury. A current plan by the RMS, known as Option 1, would see the demolition of the historic Windsor Bridge, the construction of a three lane replacement, and a major, arterial road bulldozed through Thompson Square, Australia’s oldest public space. Not only would this proposal be destructive to the unique and fragile heritage of an important part of our nation's history, it would also prove to be an ineffective solution to the ever increasing demands of road users. Make sure YOU have YOUR say today!
HELP OUR HISTORIC WINDSOR BRIDGE BE
"SAVED BY THE BELL"!
Hawkesbury City Council wants the retention of our historic Windsor Bridge to be debated in Parliament, and to do that they need our help, and FAST!
Below is a petition for you to print out, sign (along with all your family and friends) then either return it to the Hawkesbury Regional Museum in Baker St, Windsor, or post it to P.O. Box 96, Windsor, 2756.
Alternatively you can sign the petition in person at the Museum.
PLEASE HELP TO SAVE OUR ICONIC AND HISTORIC WINDSOR BRIDGE!
Below is a petition for you to print out, sign (along with all your family and friends) then either return it to the Hawkesbury Regional Museum in Baker St, Windsor, or post it to P.O. Box 96, Windsor, 2756.
Alternatively you can sign the petition in person at the Museum.
PLEASE HELP TO SAVE OUR ICONIC AND HISTORIC WINDSOR BRIDGE!
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Footage of the previously unseen Brick Barrel Drains, a.k.a 'The Smugglers Tunnels', in Thompson Square, courtesy of Kurrajong Community Forum.
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"How a ‘pop-up’ rally became Australia’s longest running protest (... and it’s still going)" - Ben James,
The Daily Telegraph.
March 10, 2018
John Ross is a pretty straight down the line sort of guy.He’s a proud, hardworking Aussie who enjoyed a long career as an accountant.
He’s never been in trouble, never even been part of a protest. But for the past four years and eight months, the 74-year-old has spent his spare time sitting under a green gazebo, defiantly waiting for the bulldozers.
You look out here and you can see what it looked like in 1814. You can’t do that in Parramatta or even in the Rocks
“I’m in this until the end,” he says with a determination in his voice. “I’m willing to give everything, I’m prepared to get locked up for this. If the bulldozers come, I’ll be here.”
And he’s not alone. In the usually quiet country town of Windsor, 56km northwest of Sydney, a community is fighting back. These people aren’t serial troublemakers. They’re not environmental activists or anarchists. They are teachers, family historians, gardeners and grandparents.
Their fight is with the NSW government and the Roads and Maritime Service (RMS), who in 2008 announced plans to replace Windsor Bridge and tackle traffic problems in the historic town.
A number of options were considered before, in 2011, it was decided the bridge would be demolished and replaced with a new structure 35 metres downstream. A new road system would also be built that would cut into Thompson Square, said to be one of the oldest public squares in Australia.
The original bridge, built in 1874, is hardly an architectural gem. If anything it’s rather unsightly. And Thompson Square is little more than a patch of grass with a smattering of trees and park benches.
So why are they willing to sacrifice so much?
Thompson Square is named after Scotsman Andrew Thompson, who found himself on a convict ship bound for Australia after stealing £10 of cloth.
On arriving in Sydney, Thompson rolled up his sleeves and attempted to make the best of his situation.
After doing his time he joined the police force and served with distinction. He began to acquire land, opened businesses and by the early 1800s he was one of the wealthiest men in the colony.
Some even credit him with saving the fledgling colony, having gathered the grain, fruit and vegetables from the Hawkesbury and transporting them to a starving Sydney.
Despite his convict status he became a close friend and an adviser to the upper echelons of British rule, notably Lachlan Macquarie, the fifth governor of NSW. Such was his impact on the colony that on his death Macquarie named the square in Windsor after him.
“That’s why this place is so special,” says 67-year-old Nina Butler, her voice cracking with emotion.
“This is the birthplace of the great Australian ideal of a ‘fair go’. Thompson was just a convict but he rolled his sleeves up and did something amazing. This place is integral to the spirit of our country and I think that’s worth fighting for.”
The retired teacher is one of more than 200 regulars from the Community Action for Windsor Bridge (CAWB) group who work to a four-hour roster to man the camp. Come rain or shine there will always be at least two people on duty, even on Christmas Day.
Kate Mackaness, from nearby Box Hill, volunteered to do the very first night shift back on July 21, 2013.
“I nearly froze to death. I’ve never been that cold in my life,” the 62-year-old said. “We had a rally that day and we’d put up a marquee. We put the proposal of a 24-hour occupation to the group and everyone said ‘yes, great idea’.
“It was only meant to be for a couple of weeks but here we are five years on.”
A brick barrel drain is uncovered during excavation work in Thompson Square, Windsor.
The group is fighting to retain the existing bridge — although some repairs will be needed — and to have a bypass built to take the bulk of the traffic away from the historic town centre.
CAWB president Harry Terry, who has the unenviable task of drawing up the roster, estimates there have been more than 19,000 individual shifts over the 55 months of occupation.
But the camp is not only a show of defiance. Those on duty also give out information on the history of the area and the proposal and gather valuable signatures for the petition — 40,000 and counting.
It is a sleepless vigil, with those working the graveyard shift needing to be alert and ready to spring into action if needed. As a result, members have witnessed many weird and wonderful things over the years — not least from those rolling out of the nearby pub at night.
“The support of the local community and local businesses is really what has kept us going,” Mr Terry says.
A drawing of the opening of the Windsor Bridge.
“We regularly get coffees bought for us, we’ve had flowers, Christmas presents, hats when it’s been cold and we’ve been awarded two heritage awards. This group and the occupation is now part of the history of this square.
“You look out here and you can see what it looked like in 1814,” Mr Terry adds. “You can’t do that in Parramatta or even in the Rocks, but you can do that here. The history is right here in front of you.
“Windsor doesn’t have much going for it but it has its heritage and that should be protected.”
Mrs Mackaness says: “There is an idea behind this place that transcends all of this. The convicts were brought here because it was considered the end of the bloody universe. But they went out there, did their best and helped make Australia what it is today.”
Michael Greentree, who lives in Vineyard, has manned the camp for close to 2000 hours since joining the occupation.
“It’s ridiculous,” he says. “You can’t put a price on this (Thompson Square). There is nothing else like it in the country. We need a bypass, we’ve needed one for years. It’s the obvious choice.
“We don’t want more traffic through the heart of the historic town, we want less.
“I’ll be here to the end, there’s no doubt about that, and I think we can still win this.”
CAWB members have been on a journey none of them could have anticipated and found themselves in situations completely alien to their normal lives.
Artist Jenny Lloyd, from nearby Richmond, is another first-time protester who early this year found herself being threatened with arrest after chaining herself to gates.
“It can be scary but there is nothing that they can frighten us with anymore, nothing they can do to deter us,” the 60-year-old says.
Mrs Mackaness adds: “We’ve had people in their 90s who say, ‘we can’t come on a regular basis but on the day I want to stand in front of the bulldozers.’ ”
This year is make or break for the project. The RMS is due to start work, but with an Upper House inquiry ongoing and 40,000-plus signatures against the proposal, the group still has hope.
Whatever the year holds, it is clear the group will fight to the end.
“My husband Noel died last year,” Mrs Butler says. “Before he died he said to me ‘how can I tell my grandchildren I let this place be ruined while I stood by and did nothing?’
“I want to be able to bring my grandson here one day and say, ‘Tommy, this place is yours. The legacy of this place is yours and we fought for it.’ ”
News Limited Copyright © 2017
March 10, 2018
John Ross is a pretty straight down the line sort of guy.He’s a proud, hardworking Aussie who enjoyed a long career as an accountant.
He’s never been in trouble, never even been part of a protest. But for the past four years and eight months, the 74-year-old has spent his spare time sitting under a green gazebo, defiantly waiting for the bulldozers.
You look out here and you can see what it looked like in 1814. You can’t do that in Parramatta or even in the Rocks
“I’m in this until the end,” he says with a determination in his voice. “I’m willing to give everything, I’m prepared to get locked up for this. If the bulldozers come, I’ll be here.”
And he’s not alone. In the usually quiet country town of Windsor, 56km northwest of Sydney, a community is fighting back. These people aren’t serial troublemakers. They’re not environmental activists or anarchists. They are teachers, family historians, gardeners and grandparents.
Their fight is with the NSW government and the Roads and Maritime Service (RMS), who in 2008 announced plans to replace Windsor Bridge and tackle traffic problems in the historic town.
A number of options were considered before, in 2011, it was decided the bridge would be demolished and replaced with a new structure 35 metres downstream. A new road system would also be built that would cut into Thompson Square, said to be one of the oldest public squares in Australia.
The original bridge, built in 1874, is hardly an architectural gem. If anything it’s rather unsightly. And Thompson Square is little more than a patch of grass with a smattering of trees and park benches.
So why are they willing to sacrifice so much?
Thompson Square is named after Scotsman Andrew Thompson, who found himself on a convict ship bound for Australia after stealing £10 of cloth.
On arriving in Sydney, Thompson rolled up his sleeves and attempted to make the best of his situation.
After doing his time he joined the police force and served with distinction. He began to acquire land, opened businesses and by the early 1800s he was one of the wealthiest men in the colony.
Some even credit him with saving the fledgling colony, having gathered the grain, fruit and vegetables from the Hawkesbury and transporting them to a starving Sydney.
Despite his convict status he became a close friend and an adviser to the upper echelons of British rule, notably Lachlan Macquarie, the fifth governor of NSW. Such was his impact on the colony that on his death Macquarie named the square in Windsor after him.
“That’s why this place is so special,” says 67-year-old Nina Butler, her voice cracking with emotion.
“This is the birthplace of the great Australian ideal of a ‘fair go’. Thompson was just a convict but he rolled his sleeves up and did something amazing. This place is integral to the spirit of our country and I think that’s worth fighting for.”
The retired teacher is one of more than 200 regulars from the Community Action for Windsor Bridge (CAWB) group who work to a four-hour roster to man the camp. Come rain or shine there will always be at least two people on duty, even on Christmas Day.
Kate Mackaness, from nearby Box Hill, volunteered to do the very first night shift back on July 21, 2013.
“I nearly froze to death. I’ve never been that cold in my life,” the 62-year-old said. “We had a rally that day and we’d put up a marquee. We put the proposal of a 24-hour occupation to the group and everyone said ‘yes, great idea’.
“It was only meant to be for a couple of weeks but here we are five years on.”
A brick barrel drain is uncovered during excavation work in Thompson Square, Windsor.
The group is fighting to retain the existing bridge — although some repairs will be needed — and to have a bypass built to take the bulk of the traffic away from the historic town centre.
CAWB president Harry Terry, who has the unenviable task of drawing up the roster, estimates there have been more than 19,000 individual shifts over the 55 months of occupation.
But the camp is not only a show of defiance. Those on duty also give out information on the history of the area and the proposal and gather valuable signatures for the petition — 40,000 and counting.
It is a sleepless vigil, with those working the graveyard shift needing to be alert and ready to spring into action if needed. As a result, members have witnessed many weird and wonderful things over the years — not least from those rolling out of the nearby pub at night.
“The support of the local community and local businesses is really what has kept us going,” Mr Terry says.
A drawing of the opening of the Windsor Bridge.
“We regularly get coffees bought for us, we’ve had flowers, Christmas presents, hats when it’s been cold and we’ve been awarded two heritage awards. This group and the occupation is now part of the history of this square.
“You look out here and you can see what it looked like in 1814,” Mr Terry adds. “You can’t do that in Parramatta or even in the Rocks, but you can do that here. The history is right here in front of you.
“Windsor doesn’t have much going for it but it has its heritage and that should be protected.”
Mrs Mackaness says: “There is an idea behind this place that transcends all of this. The convicts were brought here because it was considered the end of the bloody universe. But they went out there, did their best and helped make Australia what it is today.”
Michael Greentree, who lives in Vineyard, has manned the camp for close to 2000 hours since joining the occupation.
“It’s ridiculous,” he says. “You can’t put a price on this (Thompson Square). There is nothing else like it in the country. We need a bypass, we’ve needed one for years. It’s the obvious choice.
“We don’t want more traffic through the heart of the historic town, we want less.
“I’ll be here to the end, there’s no doubt about that, and I think we can still win this.”
CAWB members have been on a journey none of them could have anticipated and found themselves in situations completely alien to their normal lives.
Artist Jenny Lloyd, from nearby Richmond, is another first-time protester who early this year found herself being threatened with arrest after chaining herself to gates.
“It can be scary but there is nothing that they can frighten us with anymore, nothing they can do to deter us,” the 60-year-old says.
Mrs Mackaness adds: “We’ve had people in their 90s who say, ‘we can’t come on a regular basis but on the day I want to stand in front of the bulldozers.’ ”
This year is make or break for the project. The RMS is due to start work, but with an Upper House inquiry ongoing and 40,000-plus signatures against the proposal, the group still has hope.
Whatever the year holds, it is clear the group will fight to the end.
“My husband Noel died last year,” Mrs Butler says. “Before he died he said to me ‘how can I tell my grandchildren I let this place be ruined while I stood by and did nothing?’
“I want to be able to bring my grandson here one day and say, ‘Tommy, this place is yours. The legacy of this place is yours and we fought for it.’ ”
News Limited Copyright © 2017
upper House Inquiry Announced into the Windsor Bridge Replacement Project
PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE NO. 5
INQUIRY INTO THE WINDSOR BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 16 November 2017
An Upper House committee has commenced an inquiry into the Windsor Bridge replacement project. The committee is chaired by the Hon Robert Brown MLC of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party and the committee includes representatives of the Liberal and National parties, the Australian Labor Party and the Greens.
Mr Brown said, ‘The Windsor Bridge has considerable historical, economic, and social significance for the people of the Hawkesbury area and the wider Sydney region. This inquiry will examine the NSW Government’s proposals to replace this important piece of infrastructure’.
Mr Brown continued, ‘The committee will consider, among other things, the justification for the replacement of the bridge; the options presented to the community; and the economic, social, and heritage impacts of the proposal’.
The committee is currently accepting submissions and the closing date is 28 January 2018. Submissions should be lodged online on the committee’s website at:
www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/windsorbridge
The committee will hold public hearings in the new year.
For further information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference and guidelines for making a submission, please visit the committee’s website at:
www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/windsorbridge
INQUIRY INTO THE WINDSOR BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 16 November 2017
An Upper House committee has commenced an inquiry into the Windsor Bridge replacement project. The committee is chaired by the Hon Robert Brown MLC of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party and the committee includes representatives of the Liberal and National parties, the Australian Labor Party and the Greens.
Mr Brown said, ‘The Windsor Bridge has considerable historical, economic, and social significance for the people of the Hawkesbury area and the wider Sydney region. This inquiry will examine the NSW Government’s proposals to replace this important piece of infrastructure’.
Mr Brown continued, ‘The committee will consider, among other things, the justification for the replacement of the bridge; the options presented to the community; and the economic, social, and heritage impacts of the proposal’.
The committee is currently accepting submissions and the closing date is 28 January 2018. Submissions should be lodged online on the committee’s website at:
www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/windsorbridge
The committee will hold public hearings in the new year.
For further information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference and guidelines for making a submission, please visit the committee’s website at:
www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/windsorbridge
CAWB's response to the RMS Urban Design
and Landscape Plan
Recently the RMS released its Urban Design and Landscape Plan for the Windsor Bridge Replacement Project. As public were invited to comment on the design we took the opportunity to outline the errors in what is an already flawed plan.
Twenty fours hours before we presented our submission we invited the community to add their names to the document in support of our campaign. We were overwhelmed when 754 people responded, and enthusiastically signed their names.
To view the submission please click on the link below.
Twenty fours hours before we presented our submission we invited the community to add their names to the document in support of our campaign. We were overwhelmed when 754 people responded, and enthusiastically signed their names.
To view the submission please click on the link below.
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Perrottet’s plan for Windsor Bridge another
slap in face for the Hawkesbury
In a clear attempt to quash the long-running community outrage about the contentious Windsor Bridge Replacement Project, a desperate Baird Government has change its mind about what it will deliver.
However, according to Hawkesbury Councillor, Pete Reynolds, the new plan, announced by Local Member, Dominic Perrottet, is even more stupid than the original plan.
“The Government knows a third lane will make little, or no difference to traffic congestion. Both the Government’s independent traffic expert and the RMS (April 2016) say any third lane will simply provide “more vehicle storage space” on the bridge.
While Mr Perrottet apparently believes the changed plans will “reduce congestion for Hawkesbury drivers”, the RMS doesn’t agree. An RMS Q&A, (April 2016) says a third lane is not required until 2026. It also says “congestion is currently caused by the intersections on approach to the existing bridge”.
CAWB President, Harry Terry is very angry. “This change removes the only benefit this questionable project might have delivered. It takes away the planned breakdown lanes. Breakdowns will now block through traffic and cause traffic delays (RMS April 2016).”
Mr Reynolds throws further doubt over Mr Perrottet’s new plan. “The third lane will flow towards Sydney, but maximum traffic flow is towards Wilberforce. I stand by what I said earlier, this is a stupid idea and an insult to the long-suffering Hawkesbury community.”
Former senior government policy advisor, Kate Mackaness is worried about budget implications. “This is a project that has never had a proper budget allocation. In fact last year the Baird Government allocated half a million dollars and this financial year a million dollars to the project but have already, in 2016, spent at least two and a half million on archaeology. Mr Perrottet says the project is due to go to tender it does not have an allocated construction budget. I am deeply concerned about the financial management of this project,’ she says, adding, “How many warts does a project have to have before there is the independent inquiry CAWB has been calling for since 2012?
Harry Terry says “Community Action for Windsor Bridge will continue to fight for a genuine traffic solution for the Hawkesbury. We are fed up with politicians who do not even live in the area telling us the Baird Government is serious about planning for the Hawkesbury’s future. This is not about the Hawkesbury’s future, it’s trying to secure Mr Perrottet’s future in the face of his betrayal of his electorate.”
6th December, 2016
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
Read more about CAWB's Occupation of Thompson Square here.
THE ONES WHO ARE CRAZY ENOUGH
TO THINK THEY CAN CHANGE THE WORLD
ARE THE ONES THAT DO
