The announcement by Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain of more than $10.5 million to upgrade Tamworth’s Peel River CBD levee is welcome news for our community.
The project will receive $5.25 million from the Albanese Labor Government’s Disaster Ready Fund, alongside a NSW co-contribution of approximately $5.29 million.
The works will replace manually operated flood gates with automated gates, upgrade ageing culverts and raise sections of the levee to improve flood protection.
These are practical improvements to infrastructure that helps protect our city centre. For the people who work, shop and operate businesses in the CBD, better flood protection matters to their safety, livelihoods and confidence in the future.
As Tamworth Labor Branch Senior Vice President Kate McGrath puts it: “Our CBD is the heart of our community. Strengthening its flood protection is an investment in the people and businesses who keep Tamworth going.”
New England Federal Electorate Council President, Laura Hughes, also welcomed the announcement: “Regional communities understand the hardship floods can bring. Investing in preparedness before disaster strikes helps reduce the risks and the burden of recovery.”
While no infrastructure can remove every flood risk, upgrading the levee is an important step towards making Tamworth more resilient.
Tamworth Labor Branch welcomes this investment and the cooperation between governments that makes projects like this possible. Preparing for future disasters deserves sustained attention, and it is encouraging to see Tamworth included in this funding round.
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