Federal funding activating local priorities in the Blue Mountains

Road and infrastructure projects underway across the Blue Mountains, funded by the Albanese Government, have been the focus of a visit by Federal Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain MP.

These federally funded projects – valued at over $28 million – are being delivered over several years, and are on top of bushfire and storm recovery projects.

Minister McBain met with Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman MP, Deputy Mayor Cr Romola Hollywood, and Blue Mountains Councillors to see the progress of some these significant investments and discuss the projects in the pipeline, which include:

• $6.6 million to Blue Mountains City Co through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program, enabling the council to deliver projects such as installing a raised pedestrian crossing and street lighting at Leura Mall in Leura and upgrading the intersection at Old Bathurst Road, Blaxland.
• $4.3 million committed to 28 projects in the Blue Mountains local government area since 2019 under the Roads to Recovery Program, supporting the construction and maintenance of local road infrastructure assets to facilitate greater accessibility and improve safety, economic and social outcomes.
• $12.5 million to the Blue Mountains Roads Upgrades project and $100 million towards the Bells Line of Road Safety Improvements project to improve road safety and resilience in the Blue Mountains – being delivered by Transport for NSW.
• $1.8 million for a shared pedestrian and bike path through Hawkesbury Heights 
• $200,000 for Glenbrook and Leura Dog Parks 
• $2.5 million for facility upgrades at Glenbrook Oval 
• $1 million to upgrade play spaces and courts at Mount Victoria Park 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain MP:

“It’s fantastic to see work progressing across the Blue Mountains thanks to the significant investment from the Albanese Government, which is ensuring that we can get priority projects off the ground - in partnership with the Blue Mountains City Council.

“Not only have we injected more funding to ensure local infrastructure is fit-for-purpose and meets community need, significantly increased funding is supporting road safety improvements across the Blue Mountains.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman MP:

"The Albanese Government is investing millions of dollars to improve our roads, parks and facilities in the Blue Mountains, I’ve advocated for this investment, and am pleased to see so many projects underway as I know what a difference they will make for residents.

"Blue Mountains residents can be confident that the federal government and our local council are working together to deliver this significant Government investment.” 

Quotes attributable to Blue Mountains City Council Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill:

"I welcome the Australian Government’s investment in the Blue Mountains. Projects such as these can help improve road safety – particularly in busy areas.”