Joint media release with the Hon Penny Sharpe MLC and the Hon Jihad Dib MP
More than $4.6 million is being invested across NSW to fund much needed flood mitigation projects following catastrophic floods in 2022.
The record-breaking flooding across much of NSW in 2022 resulted in the tragic loss of nine lives and displacement of tens of thousands of people from their homes.
In response to this event, the Albanese Government provided $40 million towards the NSW Flood Recovery and Resilience Grant Program. The Program supports the NSW Flood Prone Land Policy to reduce the impacts and losses felt from floods.
Under this round, funding will be provided to 10 local councils stretching from the Tweed Shire Council in northern NSW to Shellharbour City Council on the south coast, financing projects such as:
- $2,250,000 for Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council to construct an overflow channel on Turallo Creek in Bungendore. This will allow floodwaters to bypass the Tarago Road Bridge crossing during flood events, as well as directing flood waters away from properties in the Bungendore town centre.
- $1,125,000 for Northern Beaches Council to continue clearance of Narrabeen Lagoon entrance, which involves moving 30,000 cubic metres of sand from the lagoon entrance to Collaroy-Narrabeen Beach. This will reduce flood risks for over 2,000 properties, as well as public assets and essential infrastructure. On average the entrance needs to be cleared every three to five years.
- $365,000 for Bellingen Shire Council to investigate and design a replacement for Lavenders Bridge, which connects South Bellingen and North Bellingen and is regularly overtopped during floods, limiting access to services and supplies.
This is the second round of funding provided by the Albanese Government and administered by the NSW Government under the program, following last year's allocation of over $20 million to 19 projects.
Quote attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister:
"The 2022 floods were a tragic and testing time and had a devastating impact on communities across New South Wales.
"We're supporting local governments to take the necessary steps to better protect the community and reduce the impacts of the next big flood.
"We know that our climate is changing, and Australians can expect to experience more intense and more frequent natural disasters. Programs like this help us be better prepared for those disasters."
Quote attributable to NSW Minister for Climate Change Penny Sharpe:
"The impacts of the 2022 floods continue to be felt across much of the state and the NSW Government, in partnership with the Australian Government, is committed to helping to mitigate the impacts of future flooding on communities.
"Funding provided through this round of grants is a step in the right direction to ensuring those in flood prone areas are better prepared if floods occur in the future."
Quote attributable to NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib:
"Recovery from the devastating 2022 floods is ongoing, and the NSW and Australian governments remain committed to supporting communities impacted by them.
"Mitigation is critical, and investing in projects that help reduce the impacts of floods is an incredibly worthwhile use of funding, with the NSW Government working towards this goal through the State Disaster Mitigation Plan."
