Joint media release with the Hon Ed Husic MP and Brad Bunting
Blacktown City Council has completed a major stormwater drainage upgrade in Bidwill to reduce flooding risk, improve local safety and help the area cope better during heavy rain.
The Ree Place Bidwill drainage amplification project received $505,574 in funding through the Albanese Government’s Disaster Ready Fund, with Blacktown City Council contributing over $1.4 million to deliver the upgrade.
The project has improved stormwater infrastructure between Gomebeeree Park and Popondetta Road, helping move stormwater more safely away from nearby homes and roads.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain said the Albanese Government is committed to supporting projects that better support communities when disasters hit.
“Investing in disaster resilience helps communities better withstand the impacts of severe weather and recover more quickly when events occur.”
“This project is a practical example of how targeted funding can reduce flood risk, improve community safety and strengthen local infrastructure.”
“By improving the way stormwater is managed during heavy rainfall, the upgraded drainage network will deliver lasting benefits for local residents, motorists and the broader community.”
“Partnerships between different levels of government are important in delivering infrastructure that addresses local risks and supports long-term community resilience.”
Federal Member for Chifley, Ed Husic said families around Bidwill deserve to feel safe in their own homes when heavy rain comes, and this upgrade means there are better safety measures now in place to keep stormwater away from people’s properties.
“These projects matter because they help safeguard the things people work hardest for: their home and their peace of mind. You might not see new pipes and stormwater pits day to day, but local families will feel the difference every time the rain comes down.”
“I’m proud the Albanese Government backed this work through the Disaster Ready Fund. That fund exists to help communities get ahead of disasters before they hit, and this is exactly the kind of practical local project it was designed to deliver.”
Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting said the completed upgrade was a reminder that some of Council’s most important work happens beneath the surface.
“This is the kind of work people may not notice every day, but it matters when the rain comes,” Mayor Bunting said.
“Stormwater infrastructure is not always visible once a project is finished, but it plays an important role in protecting homes, keeping roads safer and giving residents more confidence during heavy rain.
“For people around Ree Place, Manifold Road and Popondetta Road, flooding has been a real concern, and this project will help move stormwater through the area more safely.
“Council has also carried out work in Gomebeeree Park to slow floodwater and give the drainage system more time to do its job.
“This upgrade is part of our wider work to prepare Blacktown City for more severe weather, not just through the big visible projects, but through the essential infrastructure our communities rely on every day.
“I thank the Australian Government for supporting this project through the Disaster Ready Fund, and I thank local residents for their patience while this important work was delivered.”
The Council built new drainage pipes and large stormwater pits to capture and move more water during heavy rain. The project also included work in Gomebeeree Park to slow floodwater, giving the drainage system more time to do its job.
The project is expected to make a real difference for residents around Ree Place and Manifold Road, where heavy rain has previously sent more stormwater into the area than the drainage system could handle.
Council’s flood modelling indicates the upgrade will significantly improve flood resilience in the area, helping protect around 18 properties from inundation during a major flood event and lowering flood levels along Popondetta Road and Manifold Road.
The works were completed over an eight-month period, from August 2025 to April 2026.
