Penrith City Council is progressing planning and design work for the embankment and lower path works on River Road, Emu Plains. This project aims to address flood-related damage and improve the resilience of sections of the river corridor affected by severe weather events.

Council has successfully secured an extension of time for the project allowing further investigation and design work to be undertaken. For safety reasons, the affected sections of lower pathway remain closed while the investigations and design work are undertaken.

This project is funded through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), a joint initiative of the Commonwealth and NSW Governments, with Penrith City Council also contributing to the project.

Frequently Asked Questions

Council is progressing detailed design and investigation work for the project. This includes geotechnical investigations, site surveys, engineering assessments and other technical studies required to inform future design and construction planning.

You may notice contractors and Council representatives undertaking surveys, inspections, drilling or other investigative activities in the area.

These activities are part of the design process and help Council better understand site conditions before any construction works commence.

In mid-2025 Council accepted funding under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements to repair sections of the lower river pathway and riverbank along River Road, Emu Plains.

Council has successfully secured an extension of time for the project, with work now required to be complete in mid 2028. This additional time allows detailed investigations and design work to be completed before construction planning progresses.



Construction timing has not yet been confirmed.

Council is currently completing technical investigations and design work. Construction timeframes will be confirmed once this work is complete and the scope of works has been finalised.

The final scope of the project has not been determined.

  • Riverbank stabilisation and erosion control
  • Reconstruction of the lower walking path
  • Vegetation rehabilitation in line with approvals and site conditions
  • Repair of a major slip around a stormwater discharge point at 197A/194 River Road, Leonay

The pathway remains closed for public safety due to erosion and site stability issues resulting from flood damage.