Western Australia will be better protected and prepared for future natural disasters following today's announcement of 23 local projects funded under Round One of the Albanese Government's new Disaster Ready Fund.
Through the first round, WA will benefit from over $18 million in combined investment into disaster prevention, through 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.
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 projects in WA include:
- Upgrades to evacuation centres at Boyup Brook, Toodyay, Cunderdin and Nabawa to better protect surrounding communities during bushfires, floods and other emergencies.
- Supporting bushfire mitigation works and community education programs including firewise landscaping, a bushfire virtual reality program and a family-centred disaster resilience gallery to promote preparedness.
- Overhaul of the Geraldton Airport power supply system to ensure continuous power supply in critical emergencies such as Cyclone Seroja in 2021.
A full list of WA projects is available here: Disaster Ready Fund - Round One | National Emergency Management Agency (nema.gov.au)
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said Western Australians were no strangers to natural disasters, and Governments at all levels needed to take decisive action to better protect communities.
"WA experiences a range of bushfires, floods, cyclones and storms, and this year alone we've experienced the destructive nature of those events," Minister Watt said.
"As we continue to fund disaster recovery in areas like the Kimberley, 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.
WA Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said Commonwealth funding provided a vital boost for many exciting and innovative projects.
"Funding will help boost existing projects such as improved fire danger rating signage and bushfire mitigation works, through to significant evacuation centre upgrades and community education projects to teach the next generation of Western Australians about disaster resilience," he said.
"I'd like to thank all community groups and local and State Government agencies who put forward projects that will help make Western Australia a safer and more resilient State.
"I look forward to seeing these initiatives get off the ground and make a difference to community safety."
The Disaster Ready Fund builds upon the Albanese Government's commitment to building Australia's resilience to natural disasters. Over the past year, the Commonwealth Government has invested heavily in disaster resilience and mitigation projects across Australia, including nearly $20 million for Western Australia to support mitigation projects reducing the impact of coastal hazards, such as inundation, storm surges and erosion.
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.
