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of Cornwallis Road is now complete
Works at Cornwallis Road.
The long-awaited restoration of Cornwallis Road and its flood-damaged drainage network is now complete, marking a significant milestone for the Hawkesbury community.
Led by Hawkesbury City Council in partnership with NSW Public Works, the $ 11 million project restores a critical section of road and strengthens flood protection along this low-lying stretch of the Hawkesbury River. Funding was jointly provided by the Federal and NSW Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements( DRFA).
The original damage occurred during the devastating March 2021 floods, when the ageing 1970s drainage system failed under extreme conditions. Planned repairs were further complicated by additional flooding in 2022, which caused extensive erosion, breached the riverbank and created a small bay. A 180-metre section of Cornwallis Road was lost, requiring a full redesign and expansion of the restoration works.
A coordinated effort between the NSW Reconstruction Authority, Transport for NSW, NSW Public Works, the NSW EPA, Hawkesbury City Council and local landholders resulted in a more resilient and effective solution. Even during construction, the site was inundated by minor floodwaters on five occasions, including the May 2025 flood event.
The scale of the rebuild was substantial. Works included the installation of 232 precast 2.4m x 2.4m concrete stormwater box culverts, 2,880 tonnes of concrete, 25 kilometres of steel reinforcing bar, 15,000 tonnes of sandstone foundation boulders, 28,000 cubic metres of backfill and two-tonne steel floodgates. In total, 250 metres of Cornwallis Road was reconstructed and returned to its original alignment.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the project demonstrated the power of collaboration in addressing long-term risks from severe weather events.
NSW Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said the restoration ends years of lengthy detours for residents.“ Completing this project restores a safer, faster and more reliable connection for Hawkesbury communities,” she said.
NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said the people of the Hawkesbury deserved solutions that strengthen resilience after repeated flooding, describing the project as a testament to cross-government cooperation.
Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman acknowledged the significant impact the road closure had on local turf growers and farmers, welcoming the restoration of full access between properties.
Hawkesbury City Council Mayor Les Sheather described the project as technically complex and challenging, particularly with repeated flooding over five years. He thanked residents and businesses for their patience, noting the completed works now provide a far more robust safeguard against future flood events.
The completion of Cornwallis Road marks not only the return of a vital transport link, but a strengthened defence for a community all too familiar with the impacts of flooding.
New drainage at Cornwallis Road. 30 ISSUE 190 // MARCH 2026 theindependentmagazine. com. au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT