$8 Million Investment to Bolster Hawkesbury Infrastructure After Floods

Navua Reserve at Grose Wold bore the brunt of successive flood events, resulting in the uprooting of hundreds, if not thousands, of trees and severe erosion along the riverbanks. Like many areas in the Hawkesbury, the road to recovery has been a lengthy one. However, a fresh wave of funding has emerged with the goal of better equipping these public assets to withstand similar events in the future.

The joint federal and state government initiative will see $8 million allocated to Hawkesbury Council to build back public  assets, including parks, roads, walkways, and recreational facilities, impacted by the storm and flood events in 2001 and 2002. The funding is designed to fortify the community’s resilience against the recurrent floods and natural disasters that have consistently plagued the region.

$7.96 million has been earmarked for four distinct projects, through the Infrastructure Betterment Fund and the Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Package – Community Assets program.

Navua Reserve was decimated by the floods.

One of the standout projects is the transformation of Governor Phillip Park in Windsor, set to benefit from a $3 million infusion. This funding will facilitate the upgrading of pathway networks, the replacement of furniture, and the reinforcement of riverbanks.

At McGraths Hill, Colbee Park driveway and car park, will receive a $4.46 million in repairs and improvements including drainage enhancements and the creation of an improved shared pathway network.

Macquarie Park in Windsor is scheduled to receive $600,000, which will be dedicated to the replacement of bollards, play-space fencing and equipment, the installation of shade cover, and landscaping. Additionally, an extra $1.9 million will be directed towards various parks and reserves throughout the Hawkesbury. This project will see work undertaken at Bensons Lane Reserve, The Breakaway, Brinsley Reserve, Navua Reserve, and Argyle Bailey Memorial Reserve.

Federal MP Susan Templeman said $8 million of Albanese and Minns government funding has been allocated to Hawkesbury Council to repair and improve areas impacted by the floods.

Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman said the government was 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 work at Governor Phillip Park will improve the accessibility to the river foreshore providing safer access for fishing and other activities,” she said.

The Infrastructure Betterment Fund primarily focuses on the reconstruction of crucial public assets like roads, bridges, and drainage systems, which suffered significant damage during the storm and flood events of 2021 and 2022. The Community Assets Program is dedicated to the repair and enhancement of community assets, all of which bore the brunt of extensive damage during the storm and flood events in February and June 2022.

The allocation of this funding will be managed by the Hawkesbury City Council.