Joint media release with the Mick Gentleman
Territorians will be better prepared for and protected from future natural disasters following today's announcement of over $17 million for nine local projects through the Albanese Government’s flagship Disaster Ready Fund (DRF).
These projects significantly reduce disaster risk and build long-term resilience in the face of increasing disasters and are jointly funded with the ACT or local governments.
Funding will be provided to upgrade levees, make homes more resilient to heatwave and develop toolkits for communities to be better prepared for natural disasters.
DRF Round Two sees the Australian Government invest of over $3.5 million in infrastructure projects and nearly $4 million for systemic risk reduction projects.
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.
Australian Government Minister for Emergency Management, Jenny McAllister said the government is helping prepare and protect the ACT before disasters hit.
“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.
“Upgrades to homes will protect more households from heatwaves, while new infrastructure in Jerrabomberra Creek will improve flood resilience around highly used roads.
“By working with the ACT Government to make significant investments in mitigation projects, we are reducing the risks and impacts Territorian's face during disasters.
ACT Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mick Gentleman said it was increasingly important to reduce the impact of disasters on the community.
“In the face of increasingly frequent and intense hazards, it is vital we consider new ways of reducing the impact of disasters on our community, and ways for communities to build resilience and preparedness,” Minister Gentleman said.
“This includes helping the community be more prepared for and resilient to extreme weather and climate driven hazards like bushfires, heatwaves, storms and floods.” Examples of successful projects in the ACT include:
- Improving the flood resilience of Canberra Avenue and surrounding constructed wetland by raising the levee, installing a serviceable sediment trap and modelling the effects of climate change on flooding.
- Delivering a fit-for-purpose climate hazard risk management and adaptation ‘toolkit’, which will guide community sector organisations in identifying key risks to their services and support development of effective risk management and adaptation plans.
- A Territory-Wide Risk Register which will enable learning from past emergencies and crises, planning for future disruptions, and identification of opportunities to enhance community resilience.
Further Information
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.
The Round Two funding announced today will support projects in every state and territory, with a full list available at Disaster Ready Fund .
