Today I speak about an issue fundamental to the safety, security and future prosperity of the people of Wollondilly: our preparedness for natural disasters, our emergency evacuation infrastructure and the urgent need for safer, more resilient transport connections. As we approach another high-risk weather season, our communities are once again confronting the prospect of bushfires, severe storms, intense rainfall and flooding. For the people of Wollondilly and the Southern Highlands, these are not hypothetical risks. They are lived experiences. Our communities have endured devastating bushfires, repeated flooding, road closures, damaged infrastructure, and the emotional and financial consequences of natural disasters.
The Bureau of Meteorology's seasonal outlooks remind us of the importance of preparedness. While no forecast can predict precisely where a disaster will occur, we know that extreme weather can develop rapidly, and communities must have the infrastructure and resources to respond. Emergency evacuation is not simply a transport planning consideration; it is a matter of protecting lives. Across Wollondilly, many communities remain dependent on limited road connections. When bushfires threaten, floodwaters rise or major accidents occur, those roads can become dangerous bottlenecks. That is why I have consistently advocated for strategic road infrastructure that serves not only daily commuters but also emergency services, evacuation requirements and disaster recovery.
I acknowledge and thank the New South Wales Government for the progress made to date on the Picton Bypass, with site investigations nearing completion. It is an important milestone for a project that has long been recognised as necessary for Picton's future. However, investigations must lead to clear decisions, funding commitments and, ultimately, timely construction. The Picton Bypass is about more than reducing congestion through the town centre. It is about providing an alternative transport connection. It is an alternative to a one-lane 1800s bridge and a hole in the wall. It is about improving network resilience and ensuring emergency services have safer and more reliable access. I will also continue to advocate for the diverging diamond interchange to improve traffic movements and safety at the critical Picton Road and Hume Motorway connection.
Similarly, the proposed Welby Bypass deserves serious consideration as part of a broader strategy to improve transport resilience across the Southern Highlands and surrounding communities. We must also address the vulnerability of the Silverdale and Warragamba communities, where flooding and bushfires can isolate residents and compromise emergency access. A flood-free road bridge connection must be properly investigated and planned, with flood modelling, environmental considerations and evacuation requirements informing the preferred solution. Communities should not have to wait until the next disaster to discover that their evacuation routes are inadequate.
Disaster resilience also has an increasingly significant financial dimension. Insurance affordability and availability are becoming major concerns for households, businesses and property owners. For families living in bushfire-prone or flood-affected areas, rising premiums, higher excesses and difficulties obtaining appropriate coverage can create considerable financial stress. Insurance is an essential part of recovery, but insurance alone cannot protect a community. The Government must invest in preventative infrastructure. Better risk reduction can also help improve the long-term insurability of our communities. Looking ahead, the development of Western Sydney international airport and Bradfield City presents both opportunities and responsibilities. Wollondilly must not be left disconnected from the economic and infrastructure benefits of this extraordinary regional investment. We need strategic road and public transport connections linking Wollondilly to the airport. Those connections must also be designed to support emergency evacuation, regional mobility and access to essential services.
I welcome the planning for new emergency services in Bradfield City. However, those facilities must complement, rather than replace, investment in emergency response capacity across Wollondilly. As our population grows, emergency services, roads and evacuation infrastructure must grow with it. I acknowledge our Rural Fire Service volunteers, State Emergency Service personnel, firefighters, police, ambulance officers and community volunteers who protect our communities during emergencies. Their dedication is extraordinary. The people of Wollondilly deserve more than disaster preparedness on paper. They deserve the confidence that when the next emergency comes, they have safe roads, effective warnings, accessible emergency services and a genuine pathway to safety. That is the resilient future I will continue to advocate for.
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