OVER $1M FOR NORTH WEST SYDNEY UNDER NEW DISASTER READY FUND
North West Sydney will be better protected and prepared for future natural disasters following today’s announcement of the Blacktown Drainage Amplification for Flood Mitigation Project, funded under Round One of the Albanese Government’s new Disaster Ready Fund.
Through the first round, the region will benefit from $1,013,516 in combined investment into disaster prevention, through the Federal, State and delivery partner co-contributions.
The local project involves drainage amplification to mitigate flooding at Ree Place, Bidwill, where works include providing new pits at Wicklow Street and Cook Place, and pipework from Wicklow Street to improve the capacity of the system.
NSW will also benefit from $3.6m in funding to improve digital connectivity for disaster impacted communities, $12.7m in funding for Hazard Watch for warning communications during emergencies, $3.6m for Land iQ Disaster Ready Enhancements, and $1.2m towards mental health resources for young people to deal with the trauma of a natural disaster through Bushfire Kids Connect.
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.
Local member Michelle Rowland said “The North West Sydney region faces the threat of floods and every year natural disasters are becoming more common, and more dangerous”.
“In 2022, we saw some parts of our region experience up to three floods in one year.”
“Through the Albanese Government’s new Disaster Ready Fund, we’re investing up to $1 billion in Commonwealth funding over five years to build critical projects that will reduce disaster risk, help to reduce recovery costs and strengthen community resilience across Australia, including in the North West Sydney region.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said “while the Federal Government would continue to support areas impacted by disasters, it was critical we do more to build defences, to better protect communities and their regional economies.
“We know that every dollar spent on disaster resilience and mitigation delivers a return on investment to governments and households nine times over. But as a country we invest far more in recovering from disasters than we do defending against them, and that mentality has got to change,” Minister Watt said.
“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.”
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.
