PORT RECEIVES $3M TO COMPLETE FORESHORE PEDESTRIAN PROMENADE FOR BICENTENARY

The Port Macquarie community has received its bicentenary showcase piece: a pedestrian promenade extending south from the current Town Green West works and along Kooloonbung Creek to the nature reserve, thanks to more than $3 million from the Australian and NSW Governments.

Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is the latest Council to benefit from the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund with $17,933,000 now invested in Cowper for infrastructure projects that assist community recovery.

“The Morrison-McCormack Government is helping our community to build back better after the Black Summer Bushfires,” he said.

“I advocated strongly for this $3,050,000 for our community, and the $1.5 million Federal funding for the Town Green West upgrade, because I know this project will provide the missing link in the pedestrian walkway we all love and enjoy.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the local communities of the North Coast were some of the most resilient in all of Australia, as his trip marked almost a year since he was last in Cowper during the horrific summer bushfires. 

“The Australian Government has been and will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with communities such as Port Macquarie, impacted by the devastating 2019-2020 bushfires,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“Our Government has provided more than $69.5 million in support for residents, farmers and businesses affected by the fires in Cowper alone, which builds on the more than $1.8 billion in bushfire relief provided to all affected communities throughout Australia.

“Today’s announcement presents our bushfire relief in action whilst also highlighting our commitment to supporting local jobs, local contractors and local suppliers, as we not only rebuild from the summer of bushfires but also recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

This Bicentennial Walkway Project announced today are among 22 jointly funded community infrastructure projects recently announced by Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud. These projects provide a $107 million boost to bushfire-affected communities across New South Wales.

“We know that recovery is not only an individual journey, but a community journey,” Minister Littleproud said.

“These 22 projects across New South Wales provide places for people to come together, attractions for visitors, improvements to local infrastructure and investments in bushfire resilience – things that will make a big difference to communities going forward, and help local economic recovery in places hit hard by the fires.”

The $3,050,000 for the Bicentennial Walkway project follows $11.2 million being allocated to Kempsey Shire Council for the Macleay Valley Skydiving Adventure Park and $3.6 million to Nambucca Valley Council for coastal seawall improvements at Nambucca’s Main Beach.

Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said overall, more than $500 million has been set aside by the New South Wales and Australian Governments to deliver projects that drive local economic, community and industry recovery.

“I am thrilled that this project has been approved for funding. The Port Macquarie-Hastings Bicentennial Walkway Project will be an asset that will enhance our community which has been identified by the NSW Government for fast track investment to assist recovery,” she said. 

“Applications for the next round of Bushfire Local Economic Recovery (BLER) funding are currently open until 11 December for project applications under the $250 million BLER grant program. Grants of between $200,000 and $20 million are available and I encourage business chambers, community groups, Local Aboriginal Land Councils and councils to apply.”

Port Macquarie-Hastings Mayor Peta Pinson said the Bicentennial Walkway Project will deliver approximately 700 metres of promenade walkway.

“It has been extremely exciting to see the waterfront promenade progress along our iconic Town Green, providing a wonderful area for locals and visitors to relax and enjoy,” Cr Pinson said.

“We’ve continued to work in partnership with our State and Australian Government colleagues and look forward to work starting in 2021 and the walkway being open for our community to enjoy in 2022.”

For more information on the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund grant program visit www.nsw.gov.au/blerfund or phone 1300 679 673. Applications close on 11 December 2020.

Details of successful Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund projects in NSW – and across other states – are available on the National Bushfire Recovery Agency website at www.bushfirerecovery.gov.au/local-recovery-projects

Port Macquarie will celebrate its Bicentenary of European settlement on the 17-18 April 2021.

Shane Manning