Approximately 800 flood-affected homes in Kensington and Kingsford will be protected from flooding as part of construction of the CBD and South East Light Rail Project.

Randwick Mayor Noel D’Souza today welcomed a decision by Transport for NSW to raise the levy bank along Alison Road (adjacent to the Centennial Parklands ponds) by 300mm which will protect about 800 homes in Kensington and Kingsford located downstream.

“This is great news for hundreds of our residents and I’d like to congratulate Transport for NSW to making this important improvement.

“Not only will residents benefit from an enhanced public transport, but existing flood-affected homes are now better off.

“Council had originally budgeted for drainage works as part of our Light Rail Support Plan, but because of Transport for NSW’s support these works will bear no direct cost to the Council or ratepayers which is wonderful news,” said Mayor D’Souza. 

The levy had already been identified by Randwick City Council through its draft Kensington-Centennial Park Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan, which identifies the raising of the levy as the number one flood mitigation option for the catchment.  The draft Study and Plan will be reported to Council in September before going on public exhibition.

Randwick City Council is also working on a number of other projects to support residents and businesses during light rail construction. These works include increasing on-street parking, creating new public plazas and changing timed parking in town centres.