STATEMENT ON JOINT FLOOD EVACUATION NETWORK STUDY

“Given I have called for improved evacuation routes for years, it will be of no surprise that I welcome the announcement by the Federal Government to do a study on roads and clearing out drains,” Ms Templeman said.

“This has been needed for a long time, and it’s a shame it took two consecutive floods in 2020 and 2021 and a looming election to get them to act.

“Floods are no shock to this community; we are on a flood plain and it’s documented that they’ve damaged land and homes since before Colonial settlement.

“I am concerned that the reports indicate most of this funding will be spent in the neighbouring electorate of Lindsay, around Penrith, rather than in the Hawkesbury, and I will be writing to the Minister to clarify exactly how much attention will come to our area, which was the most severely affected by the last flood.

“The Liberals have sat on their hands on this issue while the $4.7 billion Emergency Response Fund simply accrued interest. Not a single project has been completed.

“It also raises questions about whether the Morrison Government thinks it’s OK that their multi-million dollar investment in duplicating the Richmond Bridge won’t help with flood evacuation.

“It’s also a great pity the Minister’s visit did not provide him the opportunity to hear from residents affected by the preferred option for the bridge duplication.

“This government has done next to nothing to protect our communities through disaster resilience and mitigation funding – that’s why an Albanese Labor Government will establish the Disaster Ready Fund, to spend up to $200 million every year on protecting our communities through projects