HAWKESBURY GETS DISASTER FUNDING BOOST

The Albanese and Minns Governments are building infrastructure back better in the Hawkesbury, making the community more resilient to floods and natural disasters, with nearly $8 million in additional funding.

The $7.96 million is for four projects across the Hawkesbury, through the jointly-funded Infrastructure Betterment Fund and Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Package – Community Assets Program.

The Infrastructure Betterment Fund is focused on building back essential public assets, such as roads, bridges and drainage impacted by the storm and flood events in 2021 and 2022. The Community Assets Program is repairing and building back community assets, including parks, walkways, community buildings, and tourism and recreational facilities, impacted by the storm and flood events in February and June 2022.

Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, said the Albanese Government is committed to the ongoing recovery of flood impacted communities.

“These are all important projects on vital community infrastructure like parks, playing fields and riverbanks, which will not only repair damage but make improvements that put us in a better position for future flood events,” Ms Templeman said.

The five projects will receive $3 million to upgrade the pathway network, replace furniture and armour the riverbank.

“The work at Governor Phillip Park will improve the accessibility to the river foreshore providing safer access for fishing and other activities,” Ms Templeman said.

$4.46 million will be invested for repairs and upgrades to Colbee Park driveway and carpark. These improvements will include drainage enhancements and the creation of an improved shared pathway network.

Macquarie Park in Windsor will receive $600,000 to replace bollards, play-space fencing and equipment, shade cover and landscaping.

An additional $1.9 million will be invested in multiple parks and reserves across the Hawkesbury to improve accessibility and future flood mitigation. This project includes work at Bensons Lane Reserve, The Breakaway, Brinsley Reserve, Navua Reserve and Argyle Bailey Memorial Reserve.

The funding will go to Hawkesbury City Council to manage the work. “By investing in better designs and better materials, we can make sure local roads, parks, drainage systems and community assets are built to last, and better withstand future natural disasters,” Ms Templeman said.

“These works will improve our communal resources so that they can better withstand future flooding. Having more resilient assets will help strengthen community response.

“The community benefit is twofold; our parks and reserves will be able to better withstand floods and more people in our community will be able to enjoy them.”

For more information, including the full lists of successful projects, visit the Infrastructure Betterment Fund website and the Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Package – Community Assets Programs website.