Member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell said the NSW Government will provide $238,000 to help repair key pieces of local community land that were damaged during the February and March 2022 storms and floods.
Mr Layzell said Dungog Shire Council will use $206,100 to repair softfall matting in the Coronation Park playground and the road to the camping ground in Bridge Reserve and Muswellbrook Shire Council will use $31,900 to repair the stormwater drain at Olympic Park.
“This infrastructure is all on Crown land reserves that are popular with local families for recreation, exercise or just enjoying the natural landscape,” Mr Layzell said.
“The Olympic Park project in Muswellbrook will restore habitat for native plants and animals around Muscle Creek and the projects in Dungog Shire will return local parks and riverside spots to good condition and make them safer for users.”
Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson said the funding was part of $9.81 million in grants to local councils across the state to help repair damaged Crown land for communities under the 2022 Crown Lands Flood Recovery Program.
“Councils in disaster-stricken areas were invited to apply for grants to clean-up, repair and restore flood and storm damaged Crown land that they manage and want to repair for their communities,” Mr Anderson said.
“This could include restoring everything from community, recreational and cultural assets like parks, playgrounds, reserves and cultural sites through to Crown roads, bridges, drains and other structures on Crown land.”
Applications for funding were assessed by the Department of Planning and Environment – Crown Lands with 45 projects supported with $9.81 million funding.
Minister Anderson said the funding will ensure local infrastructure in flood-affected communities is restored to pre-flood conditions.
“The terrible flood and storm events that swept large parts of the state in February and March left many areas declared natural disaster zones,” Mr Anderson said.
“62 local government areas were impacted by record rains that saw rivers and creeks overflow causing severe erosion, landslips and road collapses.”
PICTURE CAPTION: Dave Layzell with Serena and George Catteau at Coronation Park Dungog.
