NSW floods: Castle Hill Showground shelters evacuated animals from Hawkesbury floods

It’s the fourth evacuation in just under two years for the owner of an equine lodge and a late night escape helped a northwest Sydney dog breeder save her precious hounds. Read their stories here.

An avid horse rider since she was five-years-old, Tanya Hosking has found herself in an all too familiar position — feeding and caring for these precious animals at the Castle Hill Showground after flooding is once again devastating north west Sydney.

Just as in the March floods, the showground has become a real life Noah’s ark, opening its arms to crowds of animals rescued from the rising waters.

Ms Hosking, along with her colleague, Lisa Bloch, moved their 18 horses here from South Windsor’s Tali Equine Lodge on Saturday.

“This is the third time this year we’ve had to evacuate, and obviously last year in the March floods as well — so that’s fourth time in 18 months,” Ms Hosking said.

“This March flood was also our one year anniversary of opening Tali Equine Lodge. So happy anniversary”.

Tanya Hosking with one of her horses at the Castle Hill Showground. Picture: Odessa Blain.

Ms Hosking said she hoped to remain living on the same South Windsor property because she loves it there, but she’s also struck by the cruelty of these seemingly ceaseless floods.

After the previous three floods, she and Ms Bloch decided to set up a rain gauge around the property’s arena.

All day Ms Hosking and Ms Bloch were busy caring for their horses. Picture: Odessa Blain.

The horses here are safe and sheltered. Picture: Odessa Blain.

“So we finally put the rain gauge up and … (now) it’s already full, the water is over the rain gauge,” she said.

“It’s like we can’t win. I mean you’ve just got to try and keep a bit of humour … and the animals are safe, and that’s the main thing.”

A short walk down a muddy slope from the stables sits an old workshop converted into a shelter for dogs.

Standing outside, the cacophony of pacing horses, barking dogs and pelting rain makes for a strange soundtrack.

Donna Morris, with Luna, one of her many Collies. Picture: Odessa Blain.

Inside the shed, among dozens of dogs sits Donna Morris — pharmacist by day and dog breeder by night.

The Riverstone local, who has bred Collies and judged dog competitions for three decades, evacuated with her hounds on Sunday evening,

“For the 20 years we’ve lived in Riverstone we never had to evacuate, but the last two years we’ve evacuated a couple of times,” she said. “It’s all just been a nightmare.”

Ms Morris says she’ll remain in the area because the price of real estate is too expensive, but she does not believe her flood prone area would keep developers away.

“Eventually it will be developed — they’re already plans in place,” she said.

Speaking to The Hills Shire Times earlier, the communications co-ordinator for Local Land Services NSW stressed the importance of remaining vigilant.

“Have a plan, don’t wait — just make sure you leave early if you need to evacuate your livestock or animals from the floods,” the spokeswoman said.

In a Facebook statement, The Hills Shire Mayor Dr Peter Gangemi expressed his gratitude to the Greater Sydney Local Land Services who run this animal evacuation site.

“We’re very lucky to be able to use this great facility to offer shelter for those who have been affected by the current flood disaster,” Mayor Gangemi said.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the showground was home to 22 horses and 18 dogs.

Those who are relocating their animals to the showground need to bring identification as well as adequate food and water.

Animal owners can contact staff on site by calling 0408 213 588.