The Local Government Association of South Australia (LGA SA)has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement to fund 23 disaster mitigation projects across South Australia to the tune of $47 million.
LGA President, Dean Johnson, thanked the Federal Government for the funding injection through the Disaster Ready Fund, which aims to reduce the impact of natural disasters on communities and improve their resilience.
“Funding for South Australian projects will go toward long-term mitigation efforts and through this latest round will improve data and monitoring, coastal protection measures, regional climate resilience, bushfire preparedness and will support critical infrastructure such as flood levees and stormwater catchments,” said President Johnson.
“Councils plays a key role in emergencies and with the increasing intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, these projects are a step forward to help protect communities.
“Like other parts of the country, South Australia has continued to experience natural disasters including floods, bushfires and storms which impact our communities and result in significant clean-up costs.
“This first round of projects will help metropolitan and regional councils right across the state with mitigation activities and help combat the severity and cost of natural hazards.
“Keeping communities safe is front and centre in disaster mitigation, but there is also a financial and economic cost that cannot be forgotten – putting the focus on risk reduction and resilience is important to alleviate the burden and impact that natural disasters can have.”
The Association said it looks forward to continued dialogue with the Federal Government to ensure future rounds are allocated to areas where they will have the greatest impact.
South Australian projects funded under Round One of the Disaster Ready Fund can be found on the National Emergency Management Agency website.
