MidCoast included in $16m plan to flood-proof national park roads as extreme weather risks grow

The government says the upgrades will lower future financial and environmental impacts.

Author

Ellie Chamberlain
March 11, 2026

Government funding will be put toward flood-proofing damaged roads in MidCoast national parks as the region faces a future of more extreme weather. 

What happened: The MidCoast LGA has been included in a $16.2 million grant to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) announced on Monday.

  • The grant – which also includes the Central Coast – will be used to upgrade roads directly impacted by consecutive natural disasters, not only repairing them but also preparing for future significant rainfall and other extreme weather events.

Getting ready for future disasters: The money comes from the federal and state government Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), an initiative aiming to  rebuild disaster-affected roads, bridges and infrastructure across the country “to make them better able to withstand future natural disasters.”

  • The National Climate Risk Assessment found that extreme weather events are predicted to worsen as a result of ongoing burning of fossil fuels – coal, oil and gas.

  • Riverine, flash flooding, coastal and estuarine flooding were all included in the report’s 10 priority hazards.

Reducing risk of extreme weather impact could bring premiums down. So what’s the government doing?

A state plan will aim to reduce the cost – and impact – of disasters on the Mid North Coast.

Where will the roads be fixed: Locally, the upgrades will happen on disaster-damaged roads in Myall Lakes National Park, Khappinghat National Park, and – in collaboration with MidCoast Council – a key tourism road route linking Bulahdelah and Bombah Point.

What’s involved: Works will include raising and sealing sections of gravel road to improve flood resilience, as well as road surface upgrades and the installation of additional culverts and drainage structures to improve under-road drainage.

  • Upgrades to priority fire trails – including turning and passing bays – will also be included in the funded projects.

Why is the government doing this?

The government says improving infrastructure to better withstand extreme weather events, like flood-proofing roads, will lower the risk of economic and environmental impact following natural disasters in the future.

  • “Communities across the Central Coast and Mid North Coast know all too well the disruption caused by floods and severe weather, and this funding is about making sure vital access roads in our national parks are rebuilt stronger so people can get back to enjoying these places sooner,” Minister for Recovery, Janelle Saffin, said in a statement.

  • “Through the Infrastructure Betterment Fund, we are learning from past disasters and investing in practical improvements that reduce the impact of future events, protect local jobs and tourism, and provide more certainty for communities when extreme weather hits.”

Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain, said the federal government is committed to building disaster-resilient infrastructure, particularly in areas that are more vulnerable.

(L-R) Follies Road, Khappinghat National Park and Neranie Road, Myall Lakes National Park. Pictures supplied