NSW is set to be better protected and prepared for future disasters following today’s announcement that 19 local projects will be funded under Round One of the Federal Government’s new Disaster Ready Fund.
NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully said the State will benefit from more than $70 million in combined investment into disaster prevention, through the Federal, State and delivery partner co-contributions.
“We’re pleased to be providing $38.5 million of the funding towards innovative projects to deliver critical infrastructure, technology and security to help communities across NSW better prepare for future disasters,” Minister Scully said.
The Fund was an election commitment by the Federal Government, and will deliver national long-term mitigation support to protect communities from natural disasters, he said.
It also includes strategies to partner with Aboriginal communities to improve disaster readiness.
State and Territory governments submitted applications for a range of projects to improve mitigation and resilience, in collaboration with local Councils and community groups.
Successful projects in NSW include:
- Delivery of risk reduction equipment, a critical evacuation centre and early warning systems at Cabonne in Western NSW.
- The design and construction of four high priority coastal protection projects including upgrades to road protection structures, rock walls and levees as part of Eurobodalla Council’s Batemans Bay Coastal Protection Works on the South Coast.
- Construction works to future-proof Moulamein against damage caused by large flood events in the South West region.
- Works to reduce flood and erosion risks in the Lismore river catchment on the North Coast.
- A suite of research and development projects to enhance disaster planning, preparations and response capabilities in the Northern Rivers.
- Construction of new stormwater drains in Orange in the Central Western region.
- The establishment of strategic partnerships with Aboriginal communities and organisations to reduce the risk and impact of disasters through Forestry Corporation’s Fire, Country and People.
- Youth-informed mental health resources in preparation and response to disaster-associated trauma through Bushfire Kids’ Connect School Community Disaster Risk Ready.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said NSW communities were no strangers to natural disasters and governments at all levels needed to take decisive action to better protect regions.
“NSW has repeatedly experienced devastating floods, storms and bushfires in recent years,” Minister Watt said.
“As we continue to fund disaster recovery and specific resilience programs in areas like the Northern Rivers and Central West, it’s critical we do more to build defences right across the state.
“As a country we invest far more in recovering from disasters than we do defending against them and that mentality has got to change. This is about more than just bricks and mortar. We are changing the way Australia deals with natural disasters by planning more effectively for the future to ensure that communities across Australia are better prepared, less exposed and in the best possible position to recover when disasters strike.
“This is just one step in our commitment to disaster reduction and mitigation – working with State and Territory Governments to better protect and prepare Australians for future disasters.”
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) will work with each jurisdiction to negotiate funding agreements with funds to be provided as soon as possible from July 2023. Projects must be completed within three years.
There were more than 300 applications submitted across all States and Territories. Successful projects were selected following a rigorous merit-based assessment process carried out by NEMA.
The full list of NSW projects visit Disaster Ready Fund – Round One and for more information on the Disaster Ready Fund including updates about Round Two of the Disaster Ready Fund visit NEMA’s website.