Goulburn locals will soon enjoy longer scenic strolls beside the Wollondilly River thanks to the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, co-funded by the NSW and Commonwealth Governments.
Member for Hume Angus Taylor and Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman today joined Goulburn Mulwaree Council Mayor Bob Kirk to announce $2 million to extend the pathway by additional two kilometres alongside Goulburn’s historic Wollondilly River.
The current river walkway network is 10.3km in length, with extensions in the coming year to bring the total shared pathway length to 14.2km. When including the work undertaken at Riverside Park, Council has completed over 17km of new shared pathway over the past 5 years, with significant contribution from State and Federal Governments.
Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor said the funding will contribute to delivering the next phase of the Wollondilly Walkway.
“It’s so important that we continue to help local councils deliver infrastructure projects that benefit the community and provide local jobs as we recover from the bushfires and Covid,” Mr Taylor said.
“The Walkway has been a fantastic project for Goulburn, and its extension will provide both an economic and social boost for the community after what has been a challenging year.”
Mrs Tuckerman said the project will help improve the recreational asset to support the recovery of the local tourism industry after the 2019/20 bushfires.
“The walking track is already well-loved by locals but it is also becoming a real highlight for visitors to Goulburn. The extension of this track will give visitors another reason to stop or stay here, whether it’s a walk along the Wollondilly to take in the local scenery or to share a picnic with their family” Mrs Tuckerman said.
“It’s also important that much of the walkway is already accessible for both wheelchair users and parents with prams, this extension helps so many locals maintain a healthy, active lifestyle, by providing a walking route that can be enjoyed by all.
Mayor Bob Kirk said the 2 kilometre extension will help complete the river walkway, linking with the new Josephs Gate subdivision. Council has also budgeted $500,000 this year to link Lower Sterne Street to the current end point of the walkway at Riversdale.
“This generous co-funding by the State and Federal Government’s will provide the missing link in our river walkway network, opening up further sections of green space to the community.
“Our walkers, runners and cyclists will now be able to start at Marsden Weir and follow the shared pathway along our rivers, all the way to the Goulburn Wetlands in Eastgrove,” Cr Kirk said.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund has been designed to deliver infrastructure and initiatives that will boost economic and social recovery, increase community preparedness for future natural disasters and help to get residents back on their feet.
“Our regional communities have been doing it tough, to say the least which is why we are backing projects that will put people back in work, retain existing jobs and stimulate local economies with a focus on improving essential community infrastructure and industry development,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The funds delivered for these important projects will put people in work sooner and deliver a variety of shovel-ready projects and programs that will make a genuine difference to the lives of people living in regional communities.”
Applications for a share of $250 million can be submitted in the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund open round, which opened on the 27 October 2020. Grants of between $200,000 and $20 million will be available to organisations through the open round, including councils, joint organisations, business chambers, charities, businesses and Local Aboriginal Land Councils to deliver successful projects.
For further information, including guidelines, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/blerfund.
WENDY TUCKERMAN 