Nearly $4m promised for upgrades to parks at Glossodia, Bligh Park and South Windsor if Labor win

Macquarie MP Susan Templeman is promising $3.9m for park upgrades if a Labor government gets elected in the upcoming Federal election – the date for the national vote has not yet been decided – with major improvements slated for Woodbury Reserve, Colonial Reserve playground and Church St Reserve.

Macquarie MP Susan Templeman and Deputy Opposition Leader Richard Marles with young Alby, who loves being at the park

The promised funding was announced Tuesday by Ms Templeman and Labor’s Deputy Leader, Richard Marles, who was visiting the Hawkesbury.

The funding would specifically go to:

• $3 million upgrading Woodbury Reserve at Glossodia

• $400,000 to triple the amount of funding available for Colonial reserve playground, Bligh Park

• $500,000 to expand the inclusive playground at Church Street Reserve, South Windsor.

“Susan has been fighting for the people of the Hawkesbury in Canberra,” said Mr Marles.

“Be it the bushfires or the floods, or key local upgrades likes this, Susan knows how important these investments in the community are.”

Ms Templeman said while Hawkesbury Council had developed an extensive draft masterplan for Glossodia’s Woodbury Reserve, funding was not yet available, so Labor’s promised funding would make the plan a reality.

“With the cost of living going up and people spending so much time at home due to COVID, it’s never been more important to have quality, accessible parks close to home,” said the MP.

“A draft masterplan for the Woodbury Reserve has already been developed by Hawkesbury City Council, but a master plan with no funding doesn’t achieve anything.

“An Albanese Labor Government will invest $3 million towards those works so communities west of the river have a quality park close to home.

The draft master plan includes features including sports fields, skate facilities, a pump track, picnic and barbecue areas, and practice cricket nets. Walking and running tracks are also included in the plan, as well as a dog park.

“For Bligh Park and South Windsor this funding will be a welcome addition to work that has already begun in the area, and will see the parks become amazing spaces for local families,” Ms Templeman said.

“The funding will create playgrounds that cater for a range of age groups and can be enjoyed by both the young and young-at-heart.

“This is a major investment in community facilities, a fight I have taken up alongside local residents for so long.

“I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and working alongside locals and Hawkesbury City Council to deliver an amazing space for a community that has long needed this type of investment.”

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