The Port Macquarie community has received its bicentenary showcase piece thanks to the NSW Nationals in the federal government: a pedestrian promenade extending south from the current Town Green West works and along Kooloonbung Creek to the nature reserve.
Federal NSW Nationals Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said Port Macquarie-Hastings Council was the latest 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 NSW Nationals in the federal government are 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 Nationals Leader 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,” Mr McCormack 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.
“This 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.”
The Bicentennial Walkway Project is among 22 jointly-funded community infrastructure projects recently announced by Minister for Emergency Management and Deputy Nationals Leader 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,” Mr 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.
