A major upgrade of Old Well Station Road through Nadjung Mada Nature Reserve has been completed, improving access and emergency response capabilities in Canberra’s north.

The ACT Government says the works mark the final stage of a broader program delivered by the ACT Parks and Conservation Service across northern grasslands, supported by funding from the federal government’s Disaster Ready Fund.

According to the ACT Government, the upgraded road now provides a safe, all-weather route built to rural standards, supporting bushfire response, emergency services and land management, while also improving access for pedestrians and cyclists.

The wider program also included remediation and restoration works at Jarramlee Nature Reserve and Budjan Galindgi Nature Reserve, which provide habitat for threatened species.

The ACT Government says the project strengthens the territory’s ability to respond to emergencies, particularly during severe weather and bushfire events, by ensuring reliable access through the reserve.

Environmental protections were incorporated into the design, including measures to support the striped legless lizard, a threatened species. Purpose-built rumble grid crossings have been installed along the road to help maintain habitat connectivity.

Stormwater infrastructure along Sullivan’s Creek has also been upgraded to better manage heavy rainfall and future storm events, particularly with planned upstream development in the suburb of Kenny.

The project was jointly funded by the Australian and ACT governments as part of the Building Climate Resilient Visitor Infrastructure program, with support from the Disaster Ready Fund aimed at improving resilience and preparedness.