The $2.8 million Roads to Home upgrade at the Willow Bend Village in Condobolin is complete.

The NSW government funded the Condobolin Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) to upgrade the infrastructure in the village and protect it from flooding from the nearby Lachlan River. 

"The Roads to Home infrastructure upgrades will benefit residents of the Willow Bend Village which is home to about a dozen families as well as visitors and service providers to the community who will also use that infrastructure," a Property and Development NSW spokesperson said. 

According to the spokesperson, the last flood event in Condobolin did not reach the houses at Willow Bend. 

“The infrastructure upgrades have made a big difference. The village looks a lot better than it did before and the improvements have given residents ownership and pride in the community.," Condobolin LALC CEO Louise Davies said. 

The upgrades include stormwater drainage, streetlighting, house fencing, upgrades to the community basketball and tennis courts, a community yarning circle, and a new village entrance.

The new sign welcoming visitors and locals to Willow Bend Village. Photo: supplied

MP Roy Butler said the upgrades were a necessity for the residents of Willow Bend Village. 

“Things like reinforcing the levee to prevent inundation from the Lachlan river, along with upgrading the roads and building an amenities block, are not luxury items but they bring residents some much-needed improvements that make Willow Bend a much better place to live," Mr Butler said. 

The Roads to Home project also provided training and work opportunities to 18 residents. 

“As part of the project, local residents got work and training with machinery including excavators and backhoes, and in fencing. and concreting," Mr Davies said. 

“The Roads to Home program is correcting an historic injustice where Aboriginal communities on former missions and reserves across NSW were left to fend for themselves without the types of infrastructure and services that communities in the rest of the state take for granted," Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said. 

 Part of the upgrades included adding cultural designs to the area. Photo: supplied