A NEW $5 million project to repair five sites along the lower path of the Great River Walk at Emu Plains will now go ahead thanks to additional Federal and State Government funding. The floods of March and June 2022 caused significant structural damage and movement of the lower river edge embankment and lower walking path along River Road, Emu Plains, which has been closed since 2022.
Penrith Council has accepted the grant of $4,806,456 under the Local Government Recovery Grants Program as part of the Commonwealth/State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. Council will contribute a further $242,692.
Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, and State Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown OAM, have welcomed Penrith City Council’s decision to accept additional disaster recovery funding.
“Improving access along the Nepean River was one of the key local issues people raised with me during the election campaign. It’s great to see the hard work Penrith Council has done already, but these are big projects and the additional funding will allow the repairs to continue further along the river walk. Seventy-five percent of the funding is Commonwealth and I look forward, along with the rest of the community, to walking this new stretch,” said Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman.
“We are all excited about the current work underway, and I’m excited that the State Government has also funded this project to enable Council to continue the good work they are doing on repairing and reopening additional sections of the Great River Walk,” stated State Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown.
“Our community loves the bridge-to-bridge loop of the Great River Walk. We’re looking forward to working with the Australian and NSW Governments to reopen the lower pathway and continuing to create opportunities for our residents and visitors to experience and enjoy the Nepean River,” commented Penrith Mayor, Todd Carney.
As the repairs commence, the community can anticipate a revitalised Great River Walk, ensuring continued access to its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities.
