Joint media release with the Hon Paul Scully MP and the Hon Jihad Dib MP
New South Wales communities will be better prepared for and protected from future natural disasters following today's announcement of over $83 million for 27 local projects funded under Round Two of the Albanese Government flagship Disaster Ready Fund (DRF).
These projects significantly reduce disaster risk and build long-term resilience in the face of increasing disasters with funding also contributed by projects including NSW and local governments.
DRF Round Two will fund a Heatwave Hub, South Albury Levee upgrade, more Neighbourhood Safer Places in remote locations, improved hazard data for coastal protection, emergency management plans for First Nations communities, mental health support for vulnerable communities, and flood warning and protection in Western NSW.
DRF Round Two includes Australian government investment of nearly $7 million for seven infrastructure projects; over $25 million for 16 systemic risk reduction projects; and $8.8 million for four projects that both deliver infrastructure and risk reduction outcomes.
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 initiatives across the country.
Australian Government Minister for Emergency Management, Jenny McAllister said:
"The Albanese Government is committed to helping protect New South Wales 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.
"Growing up in the Northern Rivers, I know the impact that disasters can have on communities.
"Since 2022, 120 NSW Local Government Areas have been impacted by disaster, some of them more than once. By putting our efforts into funding preparedness programs, we can better protect New South Wales communities before a disaster event and make recovery easier."
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
"The NSW Government welcomes this second round of Disaster Ready Funding, which will improve community preparedness for natural disasters.
"Each of these 27 projects will make a material difference to the lives of people in NSW, whether it be through hard infrastructure or support for mental health."
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:
"Every dollar we spend preparing communities for the next disaster is a dollar well spent."
"These projects are about getting on the front foot. We often focus on disaster recovery, but these projects move us towards mitigating disaster in the first place, and ensuring our communities are better prepared if disaster does strike."
Successful New South Wales projects include:
- The South Albury Levee Upgrade, improving flood resilience for southern areas of the city.
- Capital works at a venue in Gunnedah, enabling the space to be activated as an emergency evacuation centre.
- Investigations to reduce flooding risks in the Parramatta CBD.
- Capital works to the North Deniliquin levee to increase protection from flood events.
- Delivering Neighbourhood Safer Places in remote communities, to build resilience to bushfires.
- An Aboriginal Communities Emergency Management Program to identify and strengthen sustainable local emergency management partnerships with Discrete Aboriginal Communities.
- Delivering psycho-social supports for children, parents and educators living in disaster impacted areas to reduce the risk of long-term mental health impacts.
This is the second round of funding from the Albanese Government's Disaster Ready Fund, which last year saw $200 million in Commonwealth funding provided for 185 projects across the country, with projects now underway.
A full list of New South Wales projects is available at Disaster Ready Fund - Round Two.
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