Joint media release with Jaclyn Symes
Local communities across Victoria will be better prepared and protected from future natural disasters following today's announcement of $79 million for 34 local projects funded under Round 2 of the Albanese Government flagship Disaster Ready Fund (DRF).
Round Two will include funding for the Victorian State Emergency Service, an extreme heat resilience project in Moonee Valley, remote aerial firefighting water storage, planning and research for a levee to mitigate Koondrook flooding, translated emergency preparedness resources, power backups for priority NBN sites, flood studies and expanded flood warning systems.
These projects significantly reduce disaster risk and build long-term resilience in the face of increasing disasters and are jointly funded with the Victorian and local governments.
DRF Round Two sees the Australian Government invest over $7.2 million in four infrastructure projects; nearly $13 million for 18 systemic risk reduction projects; and over $17 million for 12 projects that both deliver infrastructure and risk reduction
outcomes. The Allan Government and local governments are matching this overall $79.6 million figure via co-contributions.
This funding is part of a long-term commitment to enhance Australia's capacity to respond, adapt and recover by investing up to $1 billion over the next five years in resilience.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Jenny McAllister said that the Albanese Government is committed to helping protect Victorian communities from disasters.
"We know that our climate is changing, and Australians can expect to experience more intense and more frequent natural disasters, which is why the Albanese Government is acting to prepare and protect communities from natural disasters and their impacts.
"By putting our efforts into funding preparedness programs, we can better protect Victorian communities before a disaster event and increase resilience capability during recovery."
"Our priority is to invest in infrastructure and processes for Victoria that better place the community to prepare for severe weather events. The Australian Government is committed to collaborating with the Victorian Government to build resilience capability and reduce the impact of natural hazards," Minister McAllister said.
"This second round of funding is working to address risks identified by local Victorian organisations and by building aerial firefighting water refuelling stations, levees, and warning systems.
Victorian Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes said that investment in disaster preparedness is vital as Victoria faces several challenges and emerging risks such as fires, floods and storms.
"Victoria is one of the most bushfire-prone regions in the world. Boosting the state's aerial firefighting capability in remote areas will support the tireless work of our firefighters on the ground," Minister Symes said.
"Mitigating the risk of flooding through an improved warnings will also ensure Victorians have the information they need to make quick and informed decisions.
"We are partnering with the Australian Government to help Victorians be better prepared - no matter where you live, these projects will improve the way we understand and respond to severe weather events."
Successful Victorian projects include:
- A cool communities project will build community resilience to extreme heat in Moonee Valley.
- A project delivering improvements to Victoria's aerial firefighting operations by establishing fifteen heli-dip water points in remote areas.
- Examining non-burn fuel treatments to enhance bushfire mitigation options in a changing climate.
- Planning and research for a levee to mitigate the risk of riverine flooding in the Koondrook township, on the Murray River.
- Education programs in schools to teach students to keep safe in floods and storms.
- VICSES to develop a Warnings Project which will deliver more timely, tailored and relevant Warnings during flood and storm emergencies.
This is the second round of funding from the Albanese Government's Disaster Ready Fund.
Last year saw $200 million in Commonwealth funding provided for 185 projects across the country, with projects now underway.
A full list of Victorian projects is available at the Disaster Ready Fund Round Two website: https://nema.gov.au/programs/disaster-ready-fund
