18th November, 2026.
A huge thank you goes to Bowral High School for providing the venue for such a well-attended and engaging public forum community event on the health of the Wingecarribee River. I also thank WinZero—Wingecarribee Net Zero Emissions—in partnership with the Southern Highlands Landcare Network and Regen Action for the work that went into making it happen. It was an incredibly informative session, with speakers sharing their expertise and passion. Special thank you goes to Dr Ian Wright from Western Sydney University, who focused on river health, pollution and resilience in the Warragamba catchment. In addition, Dr Wright presented results from his study on water quality in the Wingecarribee River and the role of the three largest sewage treatment plants: Moss Vale, Bowral and Mittagong. I was pleased to join a room full of passionate community members, alongside Carol Berry, MP, the member for Whitlam; from Wollondilly Shire Council, Mayor Matt Gould; from Wingecarribee Shire Council, Deputy Mayor Erin Foley; and councillors Rachel Russell and Heather Champion. Well done yet again to WinZero for its effort in organising another successful event and its ongoing advocacy.