Federal Government ramps up push for Wakehurst Parkway fix, with funds available for widening

The Wakehurst Parkway floods up to 11 times a year — now the federal government says it wants to spend money to floodproof and widen the notorious road.

The federal government is asking the NSW Government and councils to ask for help to fund improvements to roads such as Wakehurst Parkway that was closed due to flooding again last month. Picture by Damian Shaw

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The push for the floodproofing and widening of Wakehurst Parkway has ramped up after federal parliament was told that the Commonwealth has billions to spend on road infrastructure projects.

Federal Urban Infrastructure Minister Alan Tudge urged state governments and local councils to take advantage of a $4 billion Urban Congestion Fund to improve roads.

Two cars trapped by floodwaters on Wakehurst Parkway. Picture John Grainger

During Question Time Mr Tudge said the federal government wanted to partner with state governments and councils to get projects underway in the next “three to six months”.

The mention in parliament last week comes after the federal Liberal MP for Mackellar, Jason Falinski, urged the NSW Government to immediately launch a feasibility study into upgrading the road which is closed by flooding about 11 times a year.

Once a feasibility study, or business case is completed, the NSW Government can then seek more Commonwealth money to pay for the upgrade, Mr Falinski said.

A three-car accident on Wakehurst Parkway, Narrabeen, last month which left three people, including a small child, in hospital. Federal funding could be spent to widen the road. Picture: Rural Fire Service (Ingleside)

The MP started lobbying for the Wakehurst Pkwy upgrade after it was closed for 48 hours during the damaging rainstorm that hit the northern beaches on February 9.

Last month State Liberal MP for Pittwater, Rob Stokes, indicated that an announcement was set to be made about money to fix the flooding problems.

Mr Stokes said on February 17 that discussions between Transport for NSW and Northern Beaches Council on funding the work were in the “final stages” and came after the NSW Government-funded a $5 million flood mitigation study undertaken by the council.

Federal Liberal MP for Mackellar Jason Falinski on the Wakehurst Parkway at Narrabeen. Picture: Supplied

Mr Tudge told federal parliament last week that he and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack had formally approached state premiers and infrastructure ministers, as well as councils, to say: “Are there further projects that they can bring forward to get going in the next three to six months?”.

“We want those projects to get underway. We want to partner with our delivery agencies, be they state and territory governments or local councils, to get those projects underway.

“If you do, it means more jobs, it means a stronger economy and, of course, it enables people to get home sooner and safer.”

Mr Falinski told the Manly Daily this week that Mr Tudge had made it clear that the Federal Government wanted to support infrastructure projects and was asking the NSW Government to “come to the table”.

The Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack (left) and Urban Infrastructure Minister Alan Tudge want the NSW Government and local councils to tell them about road improvement projects they can help fund. Picture: Gary Ramage

“I am again calling on the NSW Government to work with us, and get this project started,” Mr Falinski said.

“The community deserves better, the Wakehurst Parkway needs to be flood proofed and widened.

“This project will also create jobs and will be a boost to the economy locally, and nationally.”