New funding for flood resilience & housing growth in Sydney's west
Sydney’s west is set to benefit from a $580 million investment from the Australian Government, particularly in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley and its surrounds.
The Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley Flood Resilience and Housing Growth Package will deliver crucial road works to support new housing as well as boost economic growth by providing safer and more reliable access to flood-prone areas.
“Today’s announcement of $580 million for the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley is vital to creating security for this growth region so it can thrive.
“Australians are incredibly resilient, and we need the infrastructure here in Western Sydney to be resilient to the impacts of the future.
“Our investment will build crucial road connections to support new housing and boost economic growth.
“We back Western Sydney and we are building a better future for people here,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
This significant funding includes $345.3 million for Stage 1 of the Townson Road and Burdekin Road project, which will upgrade 1.6 kilometres of Townson Road between Richmond Road and Jersey Road to two lanes in each direction, separated by a raised median.
This project will improve the safety and capacity of evacuation routes from Schofields to Marsden Park, better connecting them with Richmond Road – one of the region’s designated evaruation routes.
The road upgrade will also help support the projected growth in the North West Growth Area, which is set to be home to about 250,000 people once fully developed.
The Flood Resilience and Housing Growth Package also includes $234.7 million to upgrade Garfield Road West. With this funding injection, the project can now move into detailed design and early works stages to support the future upgrade of the 3.2-kilometre section of Garfield Road West between Richmond Road in Marsden Park and Denmark Road in Riverstone.
This vital upgrade will increase road capacity to accommodate growing traffic demands as well as improve safety and provide more efficient public transport services with bus priority signals and more dedicated traffic lanes.
“These upgrades across key east-west corridors will mean residents in North Western Sydney spend less time on the road, and more time with their families.
“This package builds on our broader Western Sydney infrastructure plan – delivering vital investment across Bandon Road, Richmond Road and Garfield Road East.
“Across the board, our plan has been designed to reduce heavy vehicle traffic, expand lane capacity and relieve congestion,” Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland said.
The Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley has the highest flood exposure in the State due to its unique landscape and large population, and it has a history of deep and dangerous flooding – with the region seeing several major flood events in the past five years.
The announcement of this significant funding will help safeguard the future of the region by strengthening evacuation routes through the delivery of safer and more resilient transport infrastructure.
Not only will these projects ensure the livelihood of the area, but they will also support better access to housing as the population grows.
“The New South Wales Government welcomes this investment by the Albanese Government into vital road projects that will build connections and enable the jobs growth and economic development the Hawkesbury-Nepean needs.
“Importantly, they will provide added flood resilience during those times when other local roads can prevent people in this area getting to work or the kids to school.
“The New South Wales Government is working in partnership with the Australian Government on these and other north-west growth area roads, including Bandon Road, Garfield East and Richmond Road,” NSW Minister for Roads John Graham said.
The projects under the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley Flood Resilience and Housing Growth Package build on the Australian Government’s $33 million commitment to the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley Road Resilience Program, which aims to deliver about 100 transport infrastructure improvements to help people evacuate safely from the region.
The recent investment also adds to the joint $440 million commitment to expand Garfield Road East from two to four lanes between Piccadilly Street in Riverstone and Windsor Road in Box Hill.
To date, the Australian Government has invested more than $18 billion towards transport infrastructure projects in Western Sydney.
“These road upgrades are essential for ensuring the ongoing security and growth of the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley.
“We’re investing $18 billion in the infrastructure we need to build the future of Sydney’s West – from the new airport to the new metro, to the resilience of Hawkesbury-Nepean.
“This region is beautiful, and we want to ensure it can be enjoyed by locals and visitors for decades to come,” Minster for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said.
“This investment by our Government and the New South Wales Government is vital in developing resilient infrastructure that can keep people moving, especially during flood events,” Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic said.
Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Regional Development Australia
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While strengthening works are being carried out to nine Tasmanian bridges, tenders have been opened for 12 more bridges this year as part of a $100 million upgrade program.
The projects to upgrade Tasmania’s freight route are jointly funded by the Australian and Tasmanian Governments under the five-year Freight Capacity Upgrade Program – each committing $80 million and $20 million respectively.
“The Australian Government is committed to improving road safety and freight efficiency across Tasmania.
“We know how important it is to deliver infrastructure that will ease congested roads while also creating opportunities for Tasmanians.
“That is why we will continue to partner with the Tasmanian Government to deliver the Freight Capacity Upgrade Program,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said.
By strengthening or replacing bridges and improving sections of roads, this program of works will help increase freight capacity of critical and regional freight routes across the State.
15 roads and bridge strengthening projects under the program have already been completed to date, including Pipers River Bridge as well as sections on the Bass, Midland, Lyell and Huon highways.
A $2.2 million contract has been awarded to Fulton Hogan to advance strengthening works on nine bridges.
“The program is supporting Tasmania’s economic growth by increasing freight efficiency, enabling increased safe operating loads, and making travel times more predictable for freight operators.
“It supports productivity by improving the roads freight vehicles travel on day to day.
“Repairing and strengthening these sections of road and bridges will also improve road safety for all road users and reduce maintenance costs,” TAS Infrastructure Minister Kerry Vincent said.
Six of the nine bridges are on the north west – at Argent River, Arthur River, Mole Creek, Leslie Station Creek, Don River and Pardoe Creek.
Meanwhile, the other bridges are at Wellards Creek, Norforlk Creek and Allans Creek on the Arthur Highway in the State’s south east.
Work at eight sites is now underway, with some nearing completion. Construction to strengthen the bridge at Leslie Station Creek, on the other hand, will begin this year.
As part of the Freight Capacity Upgrade Program, a total of 35 bridges are currently planned to be strengthened and three to be replaced.
“These much-needed bridge strengthening works will increase road and bridge network capability to increase freight productivity for critical state industries such as agriculture and manufacturing.
“The Australian Government will continue to invest in infrastructure projects across Tasmania to ensure efficient and safer travel for truck and heavy vehicle freight well into the future,” Senator for Tasmania Anne Urquhart said.
Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Premier of Tasmania – Latest News; Roads & Infrastructure Australia
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