NSW Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig, has acknowledged the importance of media scrutiny of local government and confirmed that the Office of Local Government has formally asked Hawkesbury City Council to reconsider its decision to ban the Hawkesbury Gazette and Hawkesbury Radio from attending council meetings and council premises.
The intervention was revealed in a letter sent to Hawkesbury Gazette publisher Kooryn Sheaves following concerns about Council's decision to indefinitely exclude representatives of the newspaper and radio station from council meetings and facilities.
In correspondence dated 2 June 2026, Mr Hoenig recognised Council's obligations under workplace health and safety laws but stressed that those responsibilities must be balanced against democratic accountability.
"It is important that Council takes all reasonable steps under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 to ensure the health and safety of its staff and others," the Minister wrote.
"However, this must be counterbalanced against the need to recognise that as a democratic institution, Council should be publicly accountable for its actions and decisions. Media reporting is critical to this."
The Minister confirmed that the Office of Local Government had written directly to Hawkesbury Mayor Les Sheather requesting that Council reconsider the proposed ban. The Office also encouraged the Mayor to engage directly with the Hawkesbury Gazette and Hawkesbury Radio to discuss Council's concerns and explore solutions that would address workplace safety issues without unnecessarily restricting media access.
Ms Sheaves welcomed the intervention, describing it as an important recognition of the role independent journalism plays in local democracy.
"This is not about the Hawkesbury Gazette or Hawkesbury Radio," she said.
"This is about the community's right to know what decisions are being made on their behalf. Councils are democratic institutions funded by ratepayers and the public deserves transparency, accountability and independent reporting."
She said the Gazette remained committed to constructive engagement and hoped Council would accept the Office of Local Government's invitation to enter discussions.
"The easiest path forward is respectful dialogue. We have always been willing to discuss any concerns and work towards practical solutions that allow the media to continue reporting from council meetings while addressing any legitimate issues that have been raised," she said. "However Council have continued to state that no WHS incidents have occurred - the ban is a preventive measure."
Former Hawkesbury Radio broadcaster Sean Carroll also welcomed the Minister's intervention.
"Independent media plays an essential role in keeping local communities informed. Restricting access to council meetings limits the public's ability to understand and scrutinise decisions that affect their daily lives. Using the WHS Act to restrict reporting is an abuse of the intention of the Act. I welcome the Office of Local Government's efforts to encourage dialogue and a practical resolution."
The Minister's comments are expected to intensify debate about transparency and accountability within Hawkesbury City Council.
The exclusion of media organisations from council meetings has raised concerns among residents who argue that independent reporting is essential to maintaining public confidence in local government decision-making.
The intervention is significant because it demonstrates that the issue has reached the attention of the state's highest local government authority. For many residents, the matter extends beyond a dispute between Council and the media, raising broader questions about the public's ability to observe, scrutinise and understand decisions made by elected representatives.
Minister Hoenig concluded his letter by thanking the Hawkesbury Gazette for bringing the matter to his attention.
As the debate continues, residents will be watching closely to see how Council responds to the request from the Office of Local Government and whether a pathway can be found that balances any workplace safety concerns with the public's right to know.
