Sydney’s growing north-west is set to benefit from a $580 million investment aimed at improving flood resilience and supporting housing growth in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley and surrounding areas.
The Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley Flood Resilience and Housing Growth Package will deliver essential road upgrades to improve evacuation routes and enhance connectivity in flood-prone areas. The initiative is expected to support economic growth and the anticipated population boom in the region.
Critical Infrastructure Upgrades
The package includes $345.3 million for Stage 1 of the Townson Road and Burdekin Road project, which will see 1.6 kilometres of Townson Road upgraded between Richmond Road and Jersey Road. The works will include the construction of two lanes in each direction, separated by a raised median, improving the safety and capacity of evacuation routes from Schofields to Marsden Park, and connecting to the designated evacuation route along Richmond Road.
With the North West Growth Area expected to accommodate 250,000 people once fully developed, this infrastructure is crucial to ensuring safe and reliable access.
In addition, $234.7 million will be allocated to the Garfield Road West upgrade, allowing the project to move into detailed design and early works. This will support the future upgrade of 3.2 kilometres of Garfield Road West between Richmond Road in Marsden Park and Denmark Road in Riverstone, delivering increased road capacity, improved safety, and more efficient public transport services with bus priority signals and additional lanes.
Building Resilience for the Future
The Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley, with its unique landscape and large population, faces the highest flood exposure in New South Wales. The region has experienced several significant floods in the past five years, underscoring the need for infrastructure that enhances resilience and improves evacuation capacity.
The $580 million investment aims to create long-term security for the region, ensuring that road connections support housing growth while boosting economic opportunities.
The package builds on the Government’s existing $33 million commitment to the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley Flood Evacuation Road Resilience Program, which is planning around 100 transport infrastructure improvements to enhance evacuation routes.
Additionally, it adds to the $440 million commitment to expand Garfield Road East from two to four lanes between Piccadilly Street in Riverstone and Windsor Road in Box Hill.
A Growing Commitment to Western Sydney
The Australian Government is investing over $18 billion in transport infrastructure across Western Sydney, supporting key projects such as the Western Sydney International Airport and Metro system.
The Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley investment will not only strengthen flood resilience but also ensure the region can accommodate future growth, supporting better access to jobs, education, and essential services.
