Pittwater Life December 2020 Issue

$18m cash splash to flood-proof Parkway
News
“When?” and
“how?” are the
questions being
asked following the State
Government’s landmark
additional $13.1 million
funding to implement
flood mitigation along the
Wakehurst Parkway.
The Berejiklian
Government’s latest cash
splash, announced in the
November State Budget,
now sees Northern Beaches
Council flush with $18.1
million dedicated to floodproofing
the problematic
80-year-old roadway.
The latest allocation follows
the government’s review of
the recommendations of a
comprehensive flood and
ecological study, which was
commissioned by Council
and paid for using some of
the Government’s first-round
funding of $5 million in 2017.
Northern Beaches Mayor
Michael Regan explained one
of the key recommendations
in its flood mitigation study
was to reduce the frequency
of flooding in three separate
locations: Oxford Falls, ‘The
Bends’ and outside the Sydney
Academy of Sport.
The study involved
extensive technical
investigations including flood
assessment, geomorphology,
survey, sediment
investigations, biodiversity
assessments and acid
sulphate investigations.
“These investigations found
that it is feasible to undertake
works at the three separate
locations to reduce how often
flooding cuts the Parkway,” Cr
Regan said.
“However, these options
A THING OF THE PAST: But how soon before work is undertaken?
couldn’t be finalised until
Council knew how much
funding would be available
from other levels of
government.
“Thanks to the ongoing
support of our local State MPs
Rob Stokes, Brad Hazzard and
Jonathon O’Dea, additional
State Government funding
has now been allocated for
implementing these works.”
The works are expected
to comprise a mix of
stormwater upgrades, levees,
and sediment removal to
provide a higher level of flood
immunity.
New under-road culverts
and drainage, as well as creek
realignment, are also part of
the blueprint.
Cr Regan wouldn’t be
drawn into a timeframe for
commencement of works,
nor how long it would take
or whether the Wakehurst
Parkway would be closed at
all during the process.
However, he confirmed
that all focus was on flood
mitigation, with no measures
to widen the road.
“This extra funding will
help improve access to the
Northern Beaches Hospital,
and will make a difference
to the issues motorists face
regularly on the Wakehurst
Parkway following rain,” Cr
Regan said.
Cr Regan said the
State Budget showed the
Government’s confidence
in the work of local
governments, supporting
council to drive locally led
economic recovery following
a devastating year of drought,
bushfires and a global
pandemic.
He added: “Council looks
forward to consulting with
our community on the details
of these important works
soon.”
Pittwater MP Rob
Stokes said the funding
WIDEN AS WELL: Jason Falinski.
announcement was an
important step in addressing
the challenges associated
with Wakehurst Parkway,
which remains a crucial link
between Pittwater and the
Northern Beaches Hospital.
He explained Council was
responsible for managing
the Narrabeen Lagoon
catchment surrounding
Wakehurst Parkway and
the latest partnership “was
another example of the
NSW Government working
collaboratively with our
Council to progress major
projects”.
“This is fantastic news
for our community and will
enable work to proceed on
this essential project,” Mr
Stokes said.
“Council has done an
outstanding job developing
a comprehensive strategy for
this unique road corridor,
which previously divided
the former Pittwater and
Warringah Council areas.”
Wakehurst MP Brad
Hazzard said the Parkway
corridor contained unique
bushland and ecological
communities which required
detailed consideration as part
of the project design.
“The Parkway contains
magnificent natural bushland
and nobody wants this to
be impacted more than is
necessary,” Mr Hazzard said.
“We’ll now be able to
progress essential flood
improvements, whilst also
limiting environmental
impacts along the corridor.”
Mackellar MP Jason
Falinski welcomed the flood
mitigation announcement but
vowed he would maintain his
pressure on parties to widen
the Wakehurst Parkway to
improve its traffic flow.
“It is great that after
five years and $5 million
that Council and the State
Government have been able
to announce a solution to
flooding on the Parkway,” Mr
Falinski said.
“We look forward to hearing
more about plans to widen
Wakehurst Parkway.”
– Nigel Wall
News
12 DECEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991
The Local Voice Since 1991
DECEMBER 2020 13