For the sixth time in three-and-a-half years Richmond Lowlands turf and livestock farmers are bearing the brunt of the latest flood, with tens of millions of dollars in destroyed turf and grazing paddocks.

But this was not caused by a natural flood, farmers and residents are pointing the finger squarely at Hawkesbury City Council. It was the HCC’s collapsed drain three years ago – and failure to act quickly to repair it – that has caused a massive riverside canyon at Cornwallis Road that has significantly exacerbated flooding on the Lowlands. This means paddocks that had previously been safe for livestock in most flood events are now dangerous due to the changed hydrology of the area.