At a Glance
• Unprecedented weather testing the resilience of Campbelltown and its institutions
• Deep gratitude for emergency services, volunteers and council staff
• Public safety as the immediate priority, followed by steady recovery
• Community solidarity as the foundation of long term resilience

When the Weather Tests Us

There are moments in the life of a city when routine governance gives way to something more elemental. In early March, our region experienced unprecedented weather that brought with it challenges that were immediate and visible, and others that will only become clear in the months ahead.

In such times, leadership is not about grand statements. It is about clarity of purpose. As I said in my Minute, “Our first priority is ensuring the safety of the community until this weather event has passed.” That principle guides every other decision.

Floodwaters do not recognise boundaries between suburbs or portfolios. They test roads, drainage systems, homes and public confidence. They also test the strength of our institutions and the depth of our community spirit.

The Quiet Strength of Service

Throughout those difficult days, SES and RFS volunteers worked alongside council staff and NSW Police to monitor road conditions and flood damage and to respond to incidents as they occurred. Many of these individuals were serving while their own homes were under threat.

I have always believed that the character of a community is revealed most clearly in adversity. The professionalism and calm resolve shown by emergency services and volunteers were not incidental acts. They were expressions of a culture of service that has been built over decades.

I also made a point of acknowledging council staff who went above and beyond to support residents. In times of crisis, the distinction between visible and invisible work becomes stark. Crews clearing debris, inspecting infrastructure and maintaining communications may not attract headlines, yet their efforts are foundational to recovery.

Our first priority is ensuring the safety of the community until this weather event has passed and we will then get on with the job of restoring up our streets and drainage, and repairing the storm damage over the coming days and weeks.

That commitment captures the rhythm of responsible local government in an emergency. Protect first. Restore next. Improve where possible.

Stewardship Beyond the Storm

Storm events of this scale are not isolated episodes. They are part of a broader pattern of increasingly unpredictable weather that councils across New South Wales must plan for with sobriety and foresight.

Infrastructure such as roads, bridges and stormwater systems are designed with resilience in mind, yet extreme conditions expose vulnerabilities. Recovery is not simply a matter of repair. It is also an opportunity to assess, to learn and to strengthen.

I am reminded that resilience is built long before floodwaters rise. It is built in asset management plans, in maintenance programs, in clear lines of communication with emergency services, and in strong working relationships between levels of government. When those foundations are sound, response and recovery are more coordinated and more effective.

Communication and Vigilance

With forecasts of continued heavy rain at the time, I urged residents to remain vigilant and to follow updates from emergency services. That advice was not issued lightly. In times of uncertainty, accurate information and measured caution can save lives.

Local government has a role in amplifying official guidance and ensuring that residents know where to turn for credible updates. Equally important is the tone in which that information is shared. Calm, factual communication helps prevent panic and supports collective responsibility.

The Human Dimension

Beyond infrastructure and logistics lies the human experience of a storm. For some residents, the impact is inconvenience. For others, it is deeply personal loss or disruption. I wrote that “Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are currently experiencing challenging circumstances across Campbelltown and our broader region.”

Those words reflect more than courtesy. They recognise that recovery is not only physical. It is emotional and social. Neighbours checking on neighbours, volunteers offering time, community groups providing support all contribute to healing in ways that no policy can fully prescribe.

In reflecting on those days, I was struck again by the quiet solidarity that often defines Campbelltown. When the weather eases, the work of restoration begins, but so too does the reaffirmation of shared purpose.

Reflection

Storms remind us that stewardship of place is an ongoing responsibility, not a static achievement. We cannot prevent every extreme event, but we can prepare diligently, respond competently and recover with resolve. Above all, we can look after one another. In times of strain, that simple ethic, to take care of Campbelltown and of each other, is the most enduring measure of leadership.

Read the original Mayoral Minute here: 3. Take Care Campbelltown