Residents of Lake Conjola and surrounds will never forget that horrific day when the Currowan Fire wiped out more than 90 homes on December 31, 2019.
Almost five years on, Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Fiona Phillips is proud to have delivered disaster recovery funds for infrastructure projects to help the Lake Conjola and Conjola Park communities recover.
“The entire South Coast was hit hard by the Black Summer Fires, and the hamlet of Conjola Park was completely devastated,” she said.
“As we approach the year’s end, those still rebuilding, and the families dealing with the trauma every day, remain in my thoughts.
“We can’t change what happened that summer, but I’m proud to be delivering projects to help protect the Lake Conjola community from future natural disasters and to help reconnect neighbours, including the many new residents.”
Mrs Phillips said major infrastructure projects jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund (BLERF) had been completed by Shoalhaven City Council.
“These important community projects will improve safety, while also supporting local jobs, and unlocking new social and economic opportunities,” she said.
A $1.56 million upgrade of the 32-year-old Lake Conjola Rural Fire Service station is underway, after Mrs Phillips lobbied for additional funds to ensure work could be completed.
A BLER grant of $3.48 million will also fund a brand new, purpose-built Manyana fire station on a greenfield site on Bendalong Road.
“It is so important for this government to continue to support the RFS members who fought so hard during those fires, both in their own town and right along the south coast – some of whom lost their own homes,” Mrs Phillips said.
“It’s really great to see the Lake Conjola project nearing completion and work underway on the new Manyana shed.”
The new two-lane regional boat ramp and pontoon at Havilland Street, Conjola Park, opened in September 22 providing access for local boaters as well as visitors to the region.
“This is a fantastic facility that I know has been well used by the community, thanks to the addition of $775,000 BLER funding,” she said.
“The well-designed precinct with access road and trailer parking area, including accessible car parking spaces, is a far cry from the old ramp with no parking that was used for many, many years,” Mrs Phillips added.
Council received $858,739 under the BLER program to build a shared pathway from Conjola Park to Lake Conjola after the community raised concerns about the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.
In April 2024, as part of that project, bridge work was completed on Lake Conjola Entrance Road, including pram ramps, kerb and gutter, signage, bollards, line marking and drainage improvements.
Mrs Phillips said she was proud to have delivered the new Yooralla Bay jetty and floating pontoon funded by the Australian Government's $2.2 billion Black Summer Bushfire Recovery (BSBR) Grant Program, as well as donated funds.
“This is a really great facility for fishers, boaters and families to enjoy,” she said.
“It looks very impressive and I was proud to show it off to the Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister during a recent visit to the village.”
A BLER-funded digital information screen at the Lake Conjola Community Hall is one of 26 installed across the Shoalhaven, aimed at providing community and emergency information to residents and visitors.
Council is also working with the Interim Executive of the Conjola Community Recovery Association (CCRA) and Conjola Community Association to allocate funds donated to the CCRA in the aftermath of the Black Summer Bushfires.
The first project delivered using these funds was the new jetty and pathways at Hoylake Grove Reserve in Conjola Park.
Seed funding has also been allocated to progress feasibility investigations for a new shared pathway connecting Conjola Park to Lake Conjola via Conjola Entrance Road and a new basketball court at Arthur Jones Reserve in Lake Conjola.
Consultation on a proposed bushfire memorial project is due to commence in early 2025.
Mrs Phillips said the Albanese Labor Government continued to boost the liveability of communities across the Gilmore electorate.
“It’s fantastic to see these important infrastructure projects progressing,” she said.
“Whether it’s improving our boat ramps and bridges, or delivering much-needed community facilities, such as fire stations, I will continue to advocate for locally-led projects in the Shoalhaven.
“I’ll continue to work with council and community groups to advocate for projects that will support local jobs, boost liveability, and stimulate the local economy.”
Shoalhaven Mayor Patricia White said the $10 million BLER contributions from the State and Federal Governments had been “pivotal” in helping the Shoalhaven community to recover and rebuild.
Photo: State Member for South Coast Liza Butler and Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips and Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister inspecting the new jetty at Conjola Park.
Media contact: Katrina Condie 0437 662 967
