Council continues to advocate for the Castlereagh Connection

Penrith City Council continues to advocate for an evacuation route for the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley in the form of the Castlereagh Connection.

The project would not only help to address the current flood and safety risks to communities living in the catchment but would also unlock the economic opportunities that come from better connectivity to key employment, health, education, entertainment and recreation centres within Western Parkland City, and to the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.

The Castlereagh Connection has been identified as a high priority project in Council’s new Advocacy Strategy and Advocacy Priorities documents. Due to the critical need for better flood evacuation in our region, and the immediate necessity to reduce congestion on the arterial road network, Council is calling for further investigation of evacuation routes and road network ‘gaps’ by the Federal and State Government.

To support the critical piece of infrastructure that is the Castlereagh Connection, the Federal Government has pledged $50 million to develop a comprehensive Business Case. The recent NSW State Budget commits a further $1 million. This joint commitment underscores the significance of the project and its impact on our community's well-being.

Penrith City Council has been tireless in its advocacy efforts to ensure that the Business Case commences without delay. Council is also actively pursuing funding to support the project’s construction phase, solidifying its commitment to the safety and resilience of residents.

In recent years, Council has intensified communication efforts with relevant stakeholders, including State and Federal Ministers. This engagement aims to articulate the manifold benefits of the Castlereagh Connection, ranging from improved flood evacuation, to safer and more efficient transportation routes, and better access to developable land. These dialogues underscore the project's importance and its alignment with broader regional development goals.

Council is also advocating for enhanced flood resilience through the State Government’s Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley Flood Evacuation Road Resilience Program. This program extends its reach across four Western Sydney Local Government Areas: Penrith, Hawkesbury, Blacktown, and The Hills. The proposed initiatives include road shoulder widening, new culvert and bridge structures, road raising, pinch point upgrades, and drainage improvements. These measures are designed to address local flash flooding, which often leads to the premature closure of evacuation routes.

Council has made a commitment to residents' safety, access and well-being in its prioritisation of the Castlereagh Connection and broader advocacy efforts for flood resilience and regional connectivity. Council continues to work closely with government bodies and stakeholders to secure a safer and more resilient future for the communities in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley.