A popular Southern Highlands tourist attraction could be at the forefront of future flood mitigation after a funding announcement from the federal government.
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Retford Farm Detention Basin has been included in Round 2 of the National Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Program and will share a combined total of $4 million with Fairfield's Stockdale Detention Basin.
Located near the historic Retford Park property, the site sits on Mittagong Creek which is prone to flooding.
Like much of Australia's east coast, the Highlands experienced flooding in March with Bowral losing access to roads, Mittagong receiving almost 200m in one day and Robertson, Burrawang and Kangaroo Valley experiencing bouts of isolation as floodwaters stayed persistently high.
The project, which will see construction of an earthen embankment dam wall to trap stormwater and prevent it from moving into Bowral proper, is expected to be completed by June 30 2022.
Senator from NSW Perin Davey said the latest round of successful applications was timely for obvious reasons.
"The recent floods along Australia's eastern seaboard have once again demonstrated the devastation that can be wrought by major floods in this country," Senator Davey said.
"We are continuing to make significant investments to protect communities, individuals and businesses from disasters in an increasingly complex natural hazard environment."
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