Blue Mountains City Council has secured more than $95 million in disaster recovery funding to restore roads damaged by landslips across the local government area.
The assistance, provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DFRA), will support remediation works at locations including Mount Wilson, Mount Irvine, Hartley Vale, Megalong Valley, Kanimbla Valley and Glenbrook.
Mayor, Mark Greenhill said the funding marked a major milestone in Council’s long-term recovery program.
“This funding gives Council greater certainty to progress some of our highest priority landslip remediation projects and restore important road connections for our communities,” Mayor Greenhill said.
“The Blue Mountains’ steep terrain and severe weather mean landslip repairs are often complex, requiring detailed investigation, specialist engineers and careful planning.”
The Mayor said the Council is currently managing 101 landslip sites caused by severe weather in recent years and has already invested more than $20 million in remediation, with more than $90 million in additional works planned through the recovery program.
“We thank the Australian Government and NSW Government for their continued support as we work to restore damaged infrastructure, improve road safety and strengthen the resilience of our road network,” he said.
Council is working closely with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, Transport for NSW and other project partners to progress the program.
A key priority remains the Mount Wilson Lower Hairpin Project, where concept design is underway following approval of more than $8.2 million in funding.
“This $95 million funding injection is giving Blue Mountains City Council the financial support it needs to fix complex landslip sites and build back better for the future,” said NSW Minister for Recovery, Janelle Saffin.
“Fixing these sites is critical because these roads are vital links connecting our local communities to each other, to local schools, healthcare, and everyday services.
“Recovery on this scale takes time, but by all three levels of government working together, we are ensuring Council has the backing to deliver long-term, resilient solutions that local residents can rely on.”
