Thirty-one local projects will be funded to the tune of more than $54 million from Round One of the Federal Government’s new Disaster Ready Fund.
The Fund was an election commitment by the Government, and will help to deliver national long-term mitigation funding to help protect communities from natural disasters.
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 Victorian projects include:
- Remote bushfire detection to support early detection of fires
- Levee works in Moira, Mount Alexander and Wangaratta
- Upgrades to drainage infrastructure, pump systems, and other assets with current technology in Swan Hill
- Investigation of flood prone transport routes in North Central Victoria
- Modernising the pollen forecasting network to reduce future disaster risk statewide
- Building/improving the Centre of Excellence for Young People and Disasters.
Victorian Minister for Emergency Services, Jaclyn Symes said world-leading technology and engaging with younger generations will bolster Victoria’s ability to plan, respond to and recovery from emergencies.
“Victoria faces the threat of bushfires and floods every year and we know natural disasters are becoming more common and dangerous due to climate change,” Minister Symes said.
“We saw the impacts the October floods had on the state and a key focus of these projects will be around flood mitigation – that includes reducing the impact of flood and stormwater and improving flood intelligence mapping.
“Victoria is one of the most fire-prone regions in the world. Remote bushfire detection using satellite and terrestrial cameras will improve the safety of our firefighters and reduce the impacts on communities.”
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) will work with each jurisdiction to implement funding agreements with funds to be provided as soon as possible from July 2023. Projects must be completed within three years.
A full list of Victorian projects is available at Disaster Ready Fund Round One.
