The Federal and South Australian Governments are set to invest more than $1.36 million to strengthen South Australian communities against bushfires, floods and other extreme weather events, the Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience announced today.
Senator Bridget McKenzie said the joint Commonwealth and State grants would fund practical initiatives.
“The Australian Government is committed to investing heavily in ways to help communities be better prepared for the risks and impacts of natural hazards. Reducing our disaster risk means that we minimise the loss and suffering caused by disasters in Australia,” Senator McKenzie said.
“These grants will mean a lot for communities and organisations that are working to build resilience and preparedness for natural disasters.
“For example, $318,300 will go to the Australian Red Cross and the SA Council of Social Service to help those who are particularly at risk during emergencies while the City of Onkaparinga will receive $165,252 to engage a Disaster Risk Reduction Community Development Officer to build community resilience to disasters.”
Grants for the nine disaster risk reduction initiatives are funded through the Disaster Risk Reduction Grants Program, with co-contributions from grant recipients boosting the total pool to more than $2 million, she said.
“All sectors of the community have a role to play in reducing disaster risk, strengthening our resilience and enabling communities to adapt and thrive in a changing environment.”
South Australian Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Vincent Tarzia congratulated the successful recipients.
“Thank you for all the work you do helping to reduce the risk and potentially devastating impacts of natural disasters on our communities,” Minister Tarzia said.
“A community that is well prepared is a resilient community, and that means better outcomes for everyone when a disaster strikes.”
The South Australian Country Fire Service will receive a total of $225,000 for a virtual bushfire risk information management system, and to work with the Regional Anangu Services Aboriginal Corporation to implement fire breaks around communities in the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands.
“The Department of Environment and Water will receive $120,000 to manage levee bank data and develop a database for the Gawler River Catchment,” Minister Tarzia said.
A full list of grant recipients in South Australia under the Disaster Risk Reduction Grants Program can be found at: Disaster Risk Reduction Grants – SAFECOM
