$2.127 MILLION TO REPAIR FLOOD DAMAGED CROWN LAND ROADS IN CASINO AND MACLEAN

The Nationals in NSW Government will provide $2,127,050 to help repair key pieces of local community land that were damaged during the February and March 2022 storms and floods, Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis has announced.

Mr Gulaptis said Richmond Valley Council will use $1,527,050 to completely reconstruct Halsteads Drive in Casino and Clarence Valley Council will use $600,000 to repair the road behind the levee wall in Maclean, which are both located on Crown land.

“Our roads have taken a beating from the floods and prolonged wet weather last year and it’s important that we provide every support to councils,” Mr Gulaptis said.

“These specific projects will ensure the whole community can enjoy recreation along the iconic rivers that run through their towns.

“The road in Maclean provides safe access to the Clarence River for fishing and other water sports and Halsteads Drive provides the only accessible point to the Richmond River for the town of Casino.”

Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson said the funding was part of $9.81 million in grants to local councils across the state to help repair damaged Crown land in communities under the 2022 Crown Lands Flood Recovery Program.

“Councils in disasterstricken areas were invited to apply for grants to clean-up, repair and restore flood and storm damaged Crown land that they manage or want to repair for their communities,” Mr Anderson said.

“This could include restoring everything from community, recreational and cultural assets like parks, playgrounds, reserves and cultural sites through to Crown roads, bridges, drains and other structures on Crown land.”

Applications for funding were assessed by the Department of Planning and Environment – Crown Lands with 45 projects supported with $9.81 million funding.

Minister Anderson said the funding will ensure local infrastructure in flood-affected communities is restored to pre-flood conditions.

“The terrible flood and storm events that swept large parts of the state in February and March left many areas declared natural disaster zones,” Mr Anderson said.

“62 local government areas were impacted by record rains that saw rivers and creeks overflow causing severe erosion, landslips and road collapses.”