An aerial view across North Wagga during the 2022 floods. Photo: NSW SES.
Wagga Wagga City Council has secured a $1 million grant from the NSW Government to fund crucial flood repairs and prevention measures following the 2022/23 flooding.
The 2022/23 floods were the second highest floods since 2000, reaching a high of 9.72 m in November of last year.
The floods saw more than 700 people from Wagga evacuate for several days.
Several locations and roads across Wagga are still feeling the effects of last year’s floods, with the council estimating the cost of damage to transport assets sits somewhere between $1.7 and $2 million.
The funding was unanimously accepted during the 5 June ordinary council meeting and falls under ‘Category D’ of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Category D projects are projects which weren’t considered top priority but have since been considered a priority following the impact of the floods being assessed and the specific recovery gaps being recognised.
This grant will enable the council to apply for the funds to repair or improve several key infrastructure assets damaged in the flooding but not covered under the essential public asset criteria.
Wagga Wagga City Council Director of Strategy and Projects Phil McMurray said the grant was vital in providing essential repairs and improvements, which will provide greater protection for the city.
“These projects will not only address the damage caused by the recent flood but also strengthen our infrastructure to withstand future challenges,” Mr McMurray said.
“This grant reinforces the commitment of the NSW Government and Wagga Wagga City Council to the well-being and resilience of our community.
“We will continue to work to ensure the allocated funds are utilised effectively, enabling us to recover, rebuild, and fortify our city against future flood events.”
Mr McMurray said the allocated budget would be used for various infrastructure projects that weren’t covered under other essential public asset criteria, providing much needed support to the affected areas.
The funds will be allocated to several projects, including $300,000 to repairs for the outlet wall of Floodgate 15A, located opposite the intersection of Tarcutta and Tompson Streets, $200,000 to the Wiradjuri Walking Track, $200,000 to the Glenfield Drain reconstruction, $230,000 to the North Wagga Levee floodgate and pipes, and $70,000 to the Gregadoo Main Street drainage line.
The $1 million will be adopted into council’s 2023/24 budget, which is expected to be implemented at the 26 June meeting.
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