Work starts on new emergency evacuation centre at North Richmond
COMMUNITIES west of the Hawkesbury River will have a dedicated place to seek shelter and support during emergencies, with work now underway on the new North Richmond Emergency Evacuation Centre.
Federal, state and local representatives have turned the first sod on the project, marking the start of construction on the new multi-purpose facility.
The Federal Government is investing $2.5M in the North Richmond Emergency Evacuation Centre through the Protecting Our Communities (Disaster Resilience) Program, administered by the NSW Reconstruction Authority.
The funding will support Hawkesbury City Council to deliver a fit-for-purpose evacuation facility, providing a safer and more accessible location for communities west of the Hawkesbury River during emergencies.
The centre will form the first stage of the broader North Richmond Community Hub and is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2027.
During an emergency, the facility will provide a dedicated location for people to evacuate to and access support. Day-to-day, it will operate as the North Richmond Youth Centre and a flexible community space for local activities and programs.
The dual-purpose design means the facility will provide critical infrastructure when the community needs it most, while delivering a new asset for North Richmond residents to use throughout the year.
The broader North Richmond Community Hub is being delivered in stages to provide new and improved community, recreation and open space facilities for the growing community west of the Hawkesbury River.
Future stages include a new and expanded community centre with multi-purpose halls, kitchen facilities and creative spaces, as well as improved landscaping, additional car parking and the redevelopment of the Elizabeth Street Playground.
The Protecting Our Communities (Disaster Resilience) Program is funded by the Australian Government and supports locally identified projects to improve disaster resilience and preparedness.
Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman said she is proud to have secured $2.5M in Federal funding to assist with evacuation-specific requirements at North Richmond Community Centre.
“The fires and floods we’ve experienced have shown how vital it is to have facilities that can be quickly adapted for evacuation and recovery purposes, as well as providing a much-needed upgrade for everyday use,” she said.
Hawkesbury City Council Mayor Mary Lyons-Buckett said the sod turning marked an exciting milestone for the North Richmond Community Hub.
"This project reflects a shared commitment to creating spaces that strengthen community connection, support local families and improve resilience during emergencies," she said.
“Once delivered, Stage 1 will provide a valuable community asset that can be enjoyed by residents for years to come."
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