Northern Beaches Council will be seeking community views on a study into options for reducing flooding on the Wakehurst Parkway between Sydney Sports Academy and Oxford Falls.

The Study is being released now following confirmation the NSW Government has made funding available towards the delivery of some of the options outlined in the document. Council will only take up the funding offer under a number of conditions, including community support for the project.

Mayor Michael Regan said it was time for the community to have their say on the approaches available to reduce flooding impacts.

“This a major state-managed arterial road which is closed by flooding approximately six times a year – creating a huge inconveniences for many motorists – which is why we lobbied the State Government for funding for the Study and potential works.

“However, the Study confirms there are no easy or quick fixes for this issue.

“The road runs through the middle of a sensitive, rich ecosystem supporting an array of threatened plants and animal species, and there are no options that fix the wider flooding problem without environmental impacts.

“We are right at the beginning of the process – commissioning this feasibility study was the first step in order to get a sense of the options available.

“We have a lot more work to do to make sure we have a full and extensive picture of what flood mitigation measures will mean for the sensitive environment.

“In the meantime, it’s important the community has an opportunity to have a look at the options documented in the Study and give their initial feedback for us and the State Government to consider. We’ll only proceed with options if we have general community support.

“As this is a significant project, this will be the first of a number of times the community will be asked for input.”

The NSW Government announced in November it would allocate a further $13.1 million to reduce the frequency of flooding along Wakehurst Parkway and have since written to Council outlining the funding offer.

“The NSW Government has been proactively working with Council to assist with funding for this significant project.

“This allows us the certainty to begin engagement with the community.”

The feasibility study is expected to be available for community input in May.