Rachael Goldsworthy Realty

Sales | Rentals | Strata

McGraths Hill – Area Profile

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Local Real Estate Agent, Rachael Goldsworthy, says, “McGraths Hill is a middle class, family area. It’s popular for a lot of reasons. There are public and private schools and very large sporting grounds of Colbee Park. It’s close to the water, so there are plenty of recreational activities, a cycle way and boat ramps.It also has Bunnings, Aldi, a Home Centre and a number of quality specialty stores and restaurants.“

 McGraths Hill is on the Hillsbus routes to Westfield at Rouse Hill and Windsor and close to the M2 motorway.

 “We recently sold a four bedroom home in Books Crescent for $460,000. It is a good area for owner-occupiers as well as investors given that there is so much nearby and it’s within a reasonable commute proximity to the city, Parramatta and Norwest.”

 “McGraths Hill is popular. We currently have homes listed in Kallawatta Crescent and Books Crescent. The last property we sold in Books Crescent went for $460,000, so there is great potential in this area for investors as well as families.”

“Median house price in 2011 was $450,000. This has increased from $290,000  over the last ten years (2002 median price).

“Last month a 22.5% increase in capital growth was reported by real estate analysts, RP Data, which was more than double that of the Hawkesbury,” said Ms Goldsworthy.

Key Facts

• McGraths Hill is 44 kms North West of Sydney CBD and is part of the Hawkesbury Shire. It is bordered by Vineyard and Windsor. It covers approximately 3 square kilometres.

• It was settled in the early 1800s. It was used primarily for farming and grazing.

• The population doubled between 1981 and 1991, but has remained stable over the last few years.

• Current population is 2,477 (according to ABS 2006 census).

• There are 855 dwellings. 75% owner occupied.

• Average number of persons per dwelling is 2.91

• Average age of residents is 32 years (5 years lower than national average).

If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact Rachael Goldsworthy on 0418 410 498.

Flood Update…

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Flooding update – Thursday 12.50pm

BY TONY BOSWORTH
 
The latest news on the Hawkesbury flood situation at noon today (Thursday) is that SES have released a statement saying it expects Windsor and North Richmond bridges to be closed from early tomorrow, Friday, March 2.The SES also said schoolchildren who need to cross the river in either direction to get to school would be best kept home on Friday.

A Warragamba Dam spokeswoman said at 12.15pm today that the dam’s flood gates are still expected to automatically open between 8-10pm tonight (Thursday).

But as of noon, the Bureau of Meteorology had still not upgraded its ‘flood watch’ status to the more definitive ‘flood warning’, but has forecast more heavy rain in the dam’s catchment of up to 90mm in the next 24 hours. This is expected to continue until Saturday.

Those with expert knowledge of the Yarramundi area say that the water level in the Hawkesbury would start hitting the Yarramundi Bridge between 2am and 4am on Friday morning and that the bridge would be submerged by 4am if Warragamba Dam water is released as expected tonight.

This would make the flood peak at about 8am Friday, submerging the Windsor and Richmond bridges from then on.

The SES said moderate flooding in North Richmond and Windsor areas including Pitt Town Bottoms and Gronos Point, is likely from late Thursday evening to early Friday morning.

NSW SES assistant commissioner Keith Fitzgerald said “parents whose children attend schools in the Hawkesbury-Nepean area are encouraged to keep their children home tomorrow, or if you do send them to school, closely monitor the weather situation and road closures. Do not take unnecessary risks to collect your children from school.”

The SES warned parents to ensure their children knew to stay well away from flooded rivers, creeks and drains and not to play in floodwater.

Flood-affected areas will be Richmond Lowlands, including Cornwallis, low-lying areas at the northern part of Richmond, low-lying areas at the western part of Hobartville, and low-lying areas in the northern part of Agnes Banks.

Article: Courtesy of the Hawkesbury Gazette

Stay safe and dry.

Rachael 🙂

Flood Watch, be on Alert…

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Weather Warnings – Potential Flood Alert 1

 
SOURCE:  Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology New South Wales

FLOOD WATCH FOR THE HAWKESBURY – NEPEAN, QUEANBEYAN MOLONGLO, MURRUMBIDGEE, LACHLAN AND MACQUARIE VALLEYS AND THE NSW SOUTH COAST FROM WEDNESDAY ONWARDS
Issued at 10:04 am EDT on Tuesday 28 February 2012
Note: This Flood Watch is a “heads up” for possible future flooding and is NOT
a Flood Warning [see note below].

A large rain band will will move into New South Wales on Tuesday and stall over
central parts of the state on Wednesday. This will bring heavy heavy rain to
the southern half of the state.

There is a greater than 70% of flooding developing in the following valleys
from this Wednesday onwards:

1. Nepean Hawkesbury – moderate flooding resulting in closure of the Richmond
and Windsor bridges on Thursday or Friday. Heaviest rain is expected in the
Wollondilly River catchment which will also affect Goulburn.

2. Queanbeyan Molonglo – moderate to major flooding.

3. Murrumbidgee – minor to moderate flooding. Cooma is likely to have major
flooding. Cootamundra Shire may also experience moderate to major flooding.

4. Lachlan – including Mandagery Creek and the Belubula River – minor to
moderate flooding.

5. Macquarie – Molong, Orange and the Bell River catchment – minor to moderate
flooding.

6. Shoalhaven – minor to moderate flooding

7. South coast – including Bega and Moruya valleys – minor flooding.

Local flooding is also expected in the Lower Western district of the state
south of Tibooburra, White Cliffs and Cobar during Tuesday and Wednesday.
Severe Weather Warnings will be issued for these areas as the event unfolds.

This Flood Watch means that people living or working along rivers and streams
must monitor the latest weather forecasts and warnings and be ready to move to
higher ground should flooding develop. Flood Warnings will be issued if Minor
Flood Level is expected to be exceeded at key sites along the main rivers for
which the Bureau of Meteorology provides a flood warning service. Across NSW,
about 75% of Flood Watches are followed by flooding.

FloodSafe advice is available at www.ses.nsw.gov.au

For emergency assistance call the SES on telephone number 132 500.

For life threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately.

Weather Forecast:
For the latest weather forecast see www.bom.gov.au/nsw/forecasts/

Next Issue:
This flood watch will be reviewed by 11:30 am Wednesday.

For latest rainfall and river level information see

 
 
Source:  Ninemsn Weather Watch / Nine News
 
Just in case, do make sure your insurance is up to date and you are appropriately insured. 
 
I trust you are well prepared and stay safe and dry this week.
 
Rachael 🙂
 

 

 

Are you ready for your Valentine?

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Are you ready for Valentines Day?
Are you ready for Valentines Day?

Are you ready for Valentines Day? Whether we like it or not the commercialisation of special dates is the marketing norm these days. It is no-where near Easter and the Chocolate Bunnies and Hot Cross Buns have been in the stores for weeks!

Listening to a program the other night featuring Alice Cooper the old Rocker from way back. He had a little advice for your special day which may or may not help…chuckles. He says there are 3 components to a great Valentines Day.

1/ Good wine,
2/ Good food, and the clincher…
3/ you must be in the company of your other half.

Well if you are looking at taking your special Valentine out for dinner tomorrow night you don’t have to venture too far. There are some great restaurants in the Hawkesbury, all of which offer some delicious menus! Trentinos on George, The Vault, Valentinos, 22 and Bivianos to name a few.

I trust you all have a great night out tomorrow and enjoy your date. Life is too short not to spend as much time possible with the people we love.

Rachael 🙂

Aerial Shot of The Peninsula by the Hawkesbury River

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The Peninsula, Windsor (part of the original Hannabus Dairy)

I was kindly emailed a copy of this photograph by Marilyn & Dudley Mercer who live in Windsor and I couldn’t resist sharing with you.

So the legend goes…

The orange orchard that you see in the lower right hand corner sadly is no longer there. However in its place is a beautiful two storey home which is known as No. 23 George Street, Windsor (next door to Government Park).

The drive way leading from George St, at the side of the orchard, leads to No. 25 which was the site of the original milking shed. Closeby you can also see the big barn which was also part of Hannabus’ Dairy, as was the orchard together with house numbers 25, 27 and 29.

The dark brick home next to No. 25 was built by old Albert Hannabus for his son. This has a brick front fence in this picture which may help you navigate to the home more easily.

No. 27, the original dairy house, was built in 1865. The roof has been replaced since this photo was taken – it looks red or rusty in this photograph.

No. 29 was a drive way from the street to the barn when produce was sold and delivered. The house there now is more modern.

And finally, the last home you can see is owned by a very famous and talented local artist.

Thank you again Marilyn & Dudley for the photograph and your local knowledge, much appreciated. It is great to be able to share this information.

Here ends your local history lesson for today 🙂

If you have any local history stories that you would like to contribute, I would love to share them with my readers. Please contact me rachael@rachaelgoldsworthy.com.au.

Happy history hunting.

Rachael 🙂

2nd Largest Aquarium in the World

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2nd Largest AquariumWith the Mystical Creatures Sandsculpting Competition www.sandstormevents.com.au being held at Windsor by the Hawkesbury River, I can’t help but think about Mystical Creatures of the Sea.

There is something mesmerising about water and the sea creatures that swim the depths of the ocean, I love both.

I thought I would share with you this video by Jon Rawlinson, talented filmmaker who rocketed Barcelona to success with their musical single “Please Don’t Go”with this gem…take a look and enjoy.

Let me know of any other videos that you have seen lately that are worth sharing on my blog that mesmerise and keep you coming back for more.

2nd Largest Aquarium Click Here

Rachael 🙂

 

 

Kuroshio Sea – 2nd largest aquarium tank in the world – (song is Please don’t go by Barcelona) from Jon Rawlinson on Vimeo.

Extra information I thought might interest you:  Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium’s main tank is called the “Kuroshio Sea”.  This is the world’s 2nd largest fish tank holding 7,500 cubic metres (1,981,290 gallons) of water, measuring 8.2 metres by 22.5 metres with a thickness of 60 centimetres.  Sharks and mantarays are kept amongst many other fish species in this tank.

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Windsor NSW 2756

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