HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT IND 183 AUGUST 2025 | Page 20

POLITICS

Roads, parks and sporting fields get their upgrades

with Susan Templeman MP Federal Member for Macquarie
For the first time in years, I’ m delighted to be able to talk about road, parks and sporting field projects that are being finished, not promised!
Right around the Hawkesbury, council is completing projects funded by the Federal Government and State Government. Often, big projects are a combination of funding from the three levels of government, and Hawkesbury City Council must be congratulated for juggling those funds to get the job done.
Among the recently completed projects is the work at Macquarie Park in Windsor, with a new play-space, shaded areas and landscaping – it’ s now a
beautiful place to visit with easy access to the water for kayakers. You also get a great view of the restoration work of Howe Park, where 20m of riverbank is being reinstated, so people can continue to picnic there.
Eleven sporting fields, including one at Bensons Lane Richmond have had flood damaged infrastructure repaired and improved so it will be more resilient to flood events in future. For instance, at some grounds, hard paving has been installed in front of storage containers and sheds to make the evacuation of equipment easier.
Yarramundi is another project that is almost complete, with flood damage repaired and the access road and carpark upgraded to be more resilient, as well
as some of the paths and Navua, on the opposite riverbank, have also had community access upgrades.
There are so many other parks and fields that have had work done or are close to completion, from Churchill Wharf Reserve at Sackville to Argyle Bailey Memorial Reserve in Ebenezer through to Colbee Park in McGraths Hill. There’ s work happening across the Hawkesbury.
The 15 road projects, funded by my 2022 commitment, have also been completed. With Council contributions it’ s more than $ 18 million of additional road investment spread right across areas like West Portland, Oakville, East Kurrajong, Glossodia, Bowen Mountain, Freemans Reach, South Windsor and Maraylya. There’ s many road and park
improvements already funded and still to be completed. Last month, a call went out for submissions from suitably qualified contractors to do the construction and delivery of the Woodbury Reserve upgrade. This project has $ 3 million federal funding, and includes improvements to the existing sports field, a multipurpose court, a new amenities block and club house, a play area and landscaping. After the opening of the alsofederally funded skate park, it’ s exciting to see the next stage of this big project move forward.
It’ s taken time to see these projects completed and progressed, but I am so proud that investment by the Albanese Labor Government is, and will continue, to help build an even better Hawkesbury.
How my office and I can help you
• Represent you in Parliament and raise local issues with the appropriate Minister or Department
• Answer questions, help you access government services and provide information about community groups and events
• Facilitate applications to become a Justice of the Peace or to obtain a Seniors Card
• Update your electoral enrolment details
• Send a congratulatory letter for anniversaries and birthdays of significance
• Provide you with details on how to apply for government grants
The office is located at Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury Campus Building R4, College Drive, Richmond. M: PO Box 505 Richmond NSW 2753 T: 02 4578 0300 E: hawkesbury @ parliament. nsw. gov. au
Authorised by Robyn Preston MP. Funded using Parliamentary entitlements. with Robyn Preston Member for Hawkesbury
It was blue skies and sunshine as an all-female powerhouse turned the sod for a project which has been a hankering ambition for more than fifty years – the Pitt Town Bypass!
With the change of government in NSW, I was just as worried as locals that the Pitt Town Bypass would be shelved. Fortunately, this was not the case and both Federal and State governments have moved forward with this project. It was absolutely crucial that this project continued, as I know how tirelessly the community and Local Members had advocated for the bypass.
Hawkesbury is now closer to the reality of this, with construction activities now underway. Provided floods don’ t interfere with the construction timeline, Hawkesbury can expect the entire project to be completed by March 2027 – just in time for the NSW State election! The community of Pitt Town are also witnessing the transformation of Fernadell Park. This bold new project received $ 8 million from funds that were provided by the previous Liberal / National State Government, plus Federal and Local Government funding. It’ s good to see all three levels of government working together for a well-deserved project that the people in Pitt Town will be proud of.
This is another much anticipated project for the Pitt Town community, with the soccer fields expected to be home to at least 600 local players. For those more accustomed to a lower intensity lifestyle, I can already envision the walk around the waterway offering a serene breath of fresh air. Families, too, will also appreciate the community hall and the play space outside.
I look forward to seeing both these projects completed. I know the Pitt Town Bypass will offer some peace of mind to residents with new truck routes. I am also aware of the need to ensure local businesses in the village are not negatively impacted when the bypass is completed, and I’ ll be working with NSW Government to advocate for a balance with the visitor economy and the community’ s needs.
20 ISSUE 183 // AUGUST 2025 theindependentmagazine. com. au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT