Australia is famously a land of droughts and flooding rains, and that often means access to national parks and other beauty spots is restricted … often for extended periods.
The battle to build in greater resilience, and to rejuvenate and renovate damaged facilities, is pretty much an endless one … but one that continues nonetheless.
In New South Wales, for example, it has just been announced a total of 12 tourism roads are to be upgraded in flood-impacted national parks in the Central Coast and MidCoast Local Government Areas, thanks to a $16.2 million government grant.
The idea is to build resilience so the parks can better withstand future significant rainfall events and natural disasters.
Weather events can make access to some beauty spots challenging. PIC: Cizza
Funding for the Central Coast national parks includes Brisbane Water National Park, Bouddi National Park and Watagans National Park. Funding for the MidCoast areas will upgrade visitor roads in Myall Lakes National Park, Khappinghat National Park, and in collaboration with MidCoast Council, a key tourism road route linking Bulahdelah and Bombah Point.
Works will include raising and sealing sections of gravel road to improve flood resilience, road surface upgrades for driver comfort and safety, and additional culverts and drainage structures to improve under-road drainage.
Additionally, projects will include upgrades to priority fire trails with the installation of turning and passing bays as required under Rural Fire Service certifications.
Works across the 12 road locations within Hunter Central Coast Branch of National Parks have already started and there will be temporary traffic flow disruptions outside peak school time.
NSW Minister for Recovery and Minister for the North Coast, Janelle Saffin, said the funding was about making sure vital access roads in national parks were rebuilt stronger so that people could get back to enjoying these places sooner.
“We are learning from past disasters and investing in practical improvements that reduce the impact of future events, protect local jobs and tourism, and provide more certainty for communities when extreme weather hits,” she said. “By upgrading roads, drainage and fire trails, we are improving safety for visitors, park staff and emergency services, while helping local communities stay connected to their national parks, which are so important to regional wellbeing and recovery.”
WIN ONE OF TWO HISTORIC WINTON DOUBLE PASSES
Grey Nomad members are being given the chance to win one of two double passes for the 49th Historic Winton to be held May 30-31 at Winton Motor Raceway in Victoria.
Camping is available at the event.
Click here for details of the prize.
