$37 million to upgrade community assets

The 2022-23 NSW Budget has allocated more than $37 million to maintain and upgrade community assets on Crown land across New South Wales.

Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson said the funding would improve a range of important infrastructure to support both regional and city residents.

“Maintaining and improving Crown land reserves and infrastructure is essential for communities that rely on the resources for community events and to host local organisations. The reserves also support tourism, recreation, business and local economies,” Mr Anderson said.

“This $37 million investment will ensure safer and improved infrastructure for residents and communities and support jobs for trades and materials suppliers.”

Crown Lands funding in the Budget includes:

  • $20 million in 2022-23 to deliver a Priority Service Delivery Renewal Program as part of a $46 million program across four years. This will repair and upgrade Crown land infrastructure, recreation and cultural assets to support local communities, jobs, economies and tourism
  • $12 million in 2022-23 to upgrade historic Meadowbank Bridge, which provides a vital pedestrian and cyclist commuter link and electricity supply across the Parramatta River to Rhodes. Work will include a new concrete and bitumen-topped path and cycleway, new guardrails, and replacing worn steel.
  • $5 million in 2022-23 for bushfire protection work as part of a $74 million partnership program with the Rural Fire Service over 10 years. This critical funding will protect residents, property and vital community infrastructure from the risk of bushfires that take hold on Crown land.

Crown Lands has also secured up to $15 million from 2021-22 to 2023-24 in partnership with Resilience NSW to repair critical community assets and infrastructure on Crown land following the 2021 and 2022 floods. This will fund repairs including grants to council Crown land managers to help communities.

Mr Anderson said together, these projects would benefit many thousands of residents and businesses and scores of communities through asset improvements.

“Local roads, dams and bridges on Crown land provide essential safe access for communities, while recreational tracks and reserves encourage healthy lifestyles and connect people to nature,” Mr Anderson said.

“Helping flood-affected communities get back on their feet is crucial, while projects such as the upgrade of the 130-year-old heritage-listed Meadowbank Bridge will protect history while improving a commuter link used by more than 400,000 people each year.”

Artist impression of upgraded Meadowbank bridge

Artist impression of upgraded Meadowbank bridge..

/Public Release. View in full here.