It was an election promise made in 2016 by then Liberal MP Louise Markus; now Greens councillor, Kerry Brown, is urging council to follow through.
Last June Mrs Markus pledged $100,000 to help fix the only alternative access route to Mounts Wilson and Irvine. Bowens Creek Road, a 12-kilometre trail between Mount Irvine and Bilpin, crosses both Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury local government areas.
It has been minimally maintained and is barely passable in a four-wheel drive on the Mountains side of Bowens Creek. The 1930s bridge across the creek, which is the responsibility of both councils, and the steep climb on the Hawkesbury stretch of fire trail is now impassable.
But locals, particularly the RFS brigades in the area, argue its restoration is vital to provide access if Mt Wilson Road is closed by fire, snow, windstorms or other emergency.
Cr Brown was due to raise the issue at last night’s council meeting, asking council to write to its Hawkesbury counterpart, so they can together request the Turnbull Government to release the money. The Minister for Urban Infrastructure, Paul Fletcher, has said the cash is still available.
Cr Brown described the $100,000 as “one of the most miserly barrels of pork ever rolled out in an election. Nevertheless, it was committed and is still available to help fix the trail.
“That will cost some millions but this money would allow a feasibility study on logistics and costings.”
