Eighteen projects across NSW have been funded by the Federal Government’s Disaster Ready Fund.
The fund aims to support communities in becoming more resilient to intense severe weather events with more than $69million being invested in projects including flood protection, levee infrastructure, emergency evacuation facilities, ecological restoration, and support for community resilience groups.
The government funding of $46.12 million in Round Three will go towards 10 infrastructure projects and $22.3 million will go towards eight disaster resilience and risk reduction projects.
All the projects that benefit from the funding can be found here.
Here are some of the local projects:
Baryulgil Evacuation Centre and Community Resilience Project: $2million to provide vital facilities for emergency evacuation and resilience. Baryulgil Square Local Aboriginal Land Council will reduce disaster risk by clearing bushfire hazards and installing a modular evacuation centre, built off-site, with power, water, internet, and hygiene facilities. A small excavator and tractor will support mechanical clearing around homes, replacing traditional burn-offs due to increased rainfall, flooding, and cyclone activity, enabling safer and more effective hazard reduction.
Mountains to Sea – Nature-based Ecological Restoration: $2.7million to rehabilitate 43km and 128hectares along the North Coast, helping to reduce disaster risk and build resilience to floods, storms and cyclones. Includes Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Lismore and Richmond Valley.
Enabling Regional Readiness: $1.5million to deliver tailored support to 60 volunteer-led resilience groups across the Northern Rivers including Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed.
NSW Minister for Recovery and State MP Janelle Saffin said the Disaster Ready Fund was working with councils and communities to deliver practical projects that reduce risk and protect lives and livelihoods.
“From upgraded evacuation routes to strengthened levees and community preparedness programs, these projects are a vital part of our ongoing recovery and resilience effort,” Ms Saffin said.
This latest investment builds on the previous two rounds of the Disaster Ready Fund in NSW, with more than $72million in Australian Government funding awarded to 49 projects.
Of these projects, just under half are in planning and design or pre-construction phase, with five projects already nearing completion or complete.
This information was provided by the office of the Australian Government.