Flood recovery in Cornwallis, NSW, has reached a major milestone. About 250 metres of the flood-damaged Cornwallis Road has been rebuilt, along with the flood drainage network.

Led by Hawkesbury City Council in partnership with NSW Public Works, this project delivers stronger, more resilient flood protection for the community along a low-lying and flood prone part of the Hawkesbury River.

Damage to Cornwallis Road was first caused by major floods in 2021, when the original 1970s drainage system failed under extreme conditions. Further flooding in 2022 led to additional erosion, a breached riverbank, and a 180-metre section of the road being completely destroyed. 

The restoration required a full redesign to improve resilience and restore safe and reliable access for residents, farmers, and local businesses in the region. 

Even as works were underway, the site was inundated by minor floodwaters on 5 occasions, including in the May 2025 flooding event.

To rebuild the damaged network, it took:

• 232 precast 2.4m x 2.4m concrete stormwater box culverts
• 2,880 tonnes of concrete
• 25 kilometres of steel reinforcing bar
• 15,000 tonnes of sandstone foundation boulders
• 28,000m3 of backfill
• 2 tonne steel floodgates.

This $11 million project was jointly funded under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, which is how the Australian Government provides funding to states and territories to help ease the financial burden of responding to a disaster. It's a cost sharing arrangement between the Australian Government and state/territory governments to ensure disaster affected communities receive the urgent financial help they need.

State and territory governments are best placed to identify the type and level of assistance their communities need following a disaster. This is part of their responsibility for disaster and emergency management. The National Emergency Management Agency is here to support the states and territories deliver that assistance.