Joint media release with the Hon Joe Szakacs MP
South Australia will be better protected and prepared for future natural disasters following today's announcement of 23 local projects under Round One of the Albanese Government's new Disaster Ready Fund.
Through the first round, South Australia will benefit from nearly $47 million in combined investment into disaster prevention, through the Federal, State and delivery partner co-contributions.
The fund was an election commitment by the Albanese Government, and will deliver national long-term mitigation funding to help protect communities from natural disasters, including through building vital infrastructure like flood levees, seawalls and hazard warning systems.
State and Territory governments submitted applications for a range of projects to improve mitigation and resilience, in collaboration with local Councils and community groups.
The full list of SA projects is available.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said SA communities were no strangers to natural disasters, and governments at all levels needed to take decisive action to better protect regions.
"South Australia has experienced a number of devastating floods, storms and bushfires over recent years, including earlier this year," Minister Watt said.
"As we continue to fund disaster recovery and specific resilience programs in areas like the Riverlands, it's critical we do more to build defences right across the state.
"As a country we invest far more in recovering from disasters than we do defending against them, and that mentality has got to change.
"This is about more than just bricks and mortar. We are changing the way Australia deals with natural disasters by planning better for the future to ensure that communities all around the country are better prepared, less exposed and in the best possible position to recover when disasters strike.
"This is just one step in our commitment to disaster reduction and mitigation - working with state and territory governments to better protect and prepare Australians for future disasters."
State Minister for Emergency Services the Hon Joe Szakacs MP said local projects at both a state-wide and regional level will ensure all communities are significantly more prepared for future natural disasters.
"The Albanese and Malinauskas Governments are backing a range of projects across our state to make sure both city and country communities are better prepared to face future disasters.
"As natural disasters are becoming more common, and more dangerous due to climate change, the need for communities to be adequately prepared has never been higher," Minister Szakacs said.
"These grants demonstrate the solid commitment from Federal and State to ensure that South Australia is better prepared for natural disasters, so we can respond and recover quicker."
The Disaster Ready Fund builds upon the Albanese Government's commitment to ensure Australia is better prepared for natural disasters. Over the last year, the Federal Government has paid out more than $2.7 billion in recovery and resilience programs and payments to support individuals and communities impacted by natural disasters.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) will work with each jurisdiction to negotiate funding agreements with funds to be provided as soon as possible from July 2023. Projects must be completed within three years.
There were more than 300 applications submitted across all states and territories. Successful projects were selected following a rigorous merit-based assessment process undertaken by NEMA.
More information on the Disaster Ready Fund, including updates about Round Two of the Disaster Ready Fund, can be found on NEMA's website.
