Hawkesbury City Council has announced the first round of projects to be funded under its newly approved Special Rate Variation (SRV), revealing a $2.9 million package of road, footpath and park improvements that it says marks the beginning of a long-term infrastructure renewal program.
The initiative, branded Hawkesbury Roads Revival, will be funded from the first year of the four-year 8.66 per cent annual rate increase approved by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).
Council says every project funded through the Special Rate Variation will be clearly identified with Hawkesbury Roads Revival signage, allowing residents to see where the additional money raised through higher rates is being spent.
The announcement follows considerable community debate over the rate increase, which was approved by IPART on the condition that the additional revenue be directed exclusively towards infrastructure improvements, with a particular focus on roads.
Major Road Projects
Council has committed to three major road rehabilitation projects during the 2026-27 financial year:
- March Street, Richmond (Paget Street to Moray Street) – $750,000
- Crooked Lane, North Richmond (Concrete Bridge to Slopes Road) – $640,000
- Coburg Road, Wilberforce (Macquarie Road to Old Sackville Road) – $386,140
In addition, funding has been allocated to programs designed to address road maintenance needs across the local government area as they arise.
These include:
- Road resealing – $500,000 (plus an additional $1 million from Council's capital works budget)
- Road resheeting – $100,000 (plus $500,000 from Council's capital works budget)
- Minor road rehabilitation – $100,000 (plus $800,000 from Council's capital works budget)
- Footpath renewal – $80,000 (plus $98,000 from Council's capital works budget)
Council says retaining part of the funding for future works will allow it to respond to emerging maintenance priorities throughout the year.
Parks Also Receive Funding
While roads remain the primary focus, the first year of the program also includes improvements to public open space.
Funding has been allocated for:
- A new playground at Rutherglen Reserve, Hobartville – $270,000
- Upgrades to Laurence Street Reserve, Hobartville – $60,000, supplemented by a further $410,000 from Council's capital works budget.
Together, the nine identified projects account for the entire $2.9 million generated through the first year of the Special Rate Variation.
Part of a Larger Capital Works Program
Council says the SRV-funded projects form only part of its broader infrastructure investment program.
The adopted 2026-27 Operational Plan includes:
- $68.8 million for roads and drainage projects.
- $48.7 million for public spaces, parks, sporting facilities and recreation infrastructure.
Council has indicated the Hawkesbury Roads Revival program will continue to expand over the next three years as additional revenue from the Special Rate Variation becomes available.
Community Scrutiny Expected
The release of the first projects provides residents with the first opportunity to assess how the additional rates approved by IPART are being invested.
When approving the SRV, IPART required that the additional revenue be spent on infrastructure improvements. Council has committed to providing visible branding on funded projects to promote transparency and enable residents to identify works paid for through the increased rates.
Residents will likely continue to watch closely to determine whether the improvements delivered over the next four years match the additional financial contribution now being made by Hawkesbury ratepayers.
Council says it will consult with the community on significant projects and is encouraging residents to follow future updates through its community engagement platform as further Hawkesbury Roads Revival projects are announced.
Related stories: Rates up, road renewal down.
