Newcastle’s Ironbark Creek will be transformed by a re-elected Albanese Labor Government.
A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will contribute $10 million towards the $62 million flood mitigation and naturalisation project in Wallsend.
This project will convert a degraded and graffiti-covered urban drain to a living stream by providing new aquatic habitat to link restored upstream riparian corridors with the internationally significant Hunter Wetlands – home to more than 200 species of birds.
Wallsend has experienced severe flooding events in 2007, 2015, 2016, 2020 and 2021 which saw significant impacts to the community, the local environment, disrupting lives, businesses, infrastructure and local development.
The project will also widen the channel which will reduce the impact of flooding on local communities and infrastructure.
This project builds on the very successful Albanese Government Urban Rivers program that has funded over 100 projects to clean up local rivers and waterways and improve much needed green spaces in our cities and suburbs.
Nearly half of all nationally listed threatened animals and a quarter of our threatened plants are in urban areas. Their survival relies on healthy rivers, creeks, wetlands and estuaries.
Consistent with past practice, election commitments will be delivered in line with Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles.
Quotes attributable to the Federal Member for Sydney, Tanya Plibersek:
“We know Australians care deeply about nature and want to do their bit to protect the environment for their kids and grandkids.
“This project means a degraded drain will become a thriving creek which will provide vital habitat to native species and improve flood resilience for local communities.
“We’ve seen the real impact projects like this we’ve already support through our Urban Rivers program has had for nature and communities, with projects like removing invasive weeds and rehabilitating the Lane Cove River corridor to better protect the Glossy Black-Cockatoo, restoring more than 3 hectares of native oyster reefs that had been decimated by disease in the Georges River, and habitat restoration and improving wetland connectivity to support fish populations in Cairns.
“After a decade of environmental vandalism by the Liberals and Nationals, Labor has made record investments to undo the damage done.
“We’ve protected an extra 100 million hectares of Australian ocean and bush, approved enough renewable energy to power more than 10 million homes and increased recycling capacity by over 1 million tonnes a year. We’re also investing more than half a billion dollars to save our native plants and animals from extinction.
“The choice at the election couldn’t be clearer. Labor who will protect nature, fund essential science, invest in threatened species, and act on climate change. Or the climate deniers and wreckers of the Liberal and National parties who haven’t made a single commitment that would help improve nature.”
Quotes attributable to the Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon MP:
“For too long our community has lived with the shocking consequences of major flooding, which has caused significant distress for residents, while also constraining economic development in Wallsend.
“This $10 million commitment from the Albanese Labor Government is another great example of government’s working together to deliver for our community.
“I want to thank Wallsend residents for their steadfast advocacy on this issue – Labor has got your back.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery MP:
“This $10 million contribution from the Albanese government is very welcome. This project is vital for the residents and businesses in the low lying areas of Wallsend to protect against future flooding events like we saw in 2007 and 2015.
"I want to thank Sharon Claydon who has always been a fighter for better infrastructure out here in the West of the City. I’ve been working for this project for years so to see this contribution means a great deal to me.”
