The NSW Labor Government has sped up delivery of more than $34 million in new funding to Blue Mountains City Council to repair roads and transport infrastructure damaged during natural disasters. 

This funding boost comes as Blue Mountains City Council was among the first in the state to sign a pioneering pilot funding agreement with the NSW Reconstruction Authority and Transport for NSW, streamlining the distribution of disaster recovery funds. 

Member for Blue Mountains, Trish Doyle said securing over $34 million in funding for council is a vital step forward in rebuilding the community after the devastation caused by a series of natural disasters.  

“The Blue Mountains has suffered more than its fair share of natural disasters in recent years,” she said. 

“These vital funds will directly support the repair of our roads and essential infrastructure and will get the work underway sooner.”  

Previously, councils faced significant financial strain as they had to finance infrastructure repairs upfront and wait for reimbursement from other levels of government.   

Now, through the newly established Tripartite Agreements, councils like Blue Mountains can access advance funding, from the NSW and Australian Governments through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), at the onset of each reconstruction phase.  

Blue Mountains Mayor Cr Mark Greenhill said: “We cannot thank the NSW Government, and Member for Blue Mountains Trish Doyle enough, for hearing our advocacy – in regard to providing up-front payments for disaster recovery works. 

“This change to process is already making a huge difference to our community, who require urgent road recovery works after natural disaster.  

“The most recent example is in the Megalong Valley, where road works are ongoing following the 5 April 2024 landslip.” 

 
Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman also welcomed the initiative saying it will streamline the delivery of essential disaster recovery funds from federal and state government to local councils.  
 
“All levels of government are committed to improving the resilience of our infrastructure in the Blue Mountains, and this agreement means council can get essential repairs underway sooner,” she said.