Senator The Hon. Murray Watt Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister for Emergency Management Labor Senator for Queensland

Senator Jana Stewart Labor Senator for Victoria

Regional Victorians will be better protected and prepared for future natural disasters following a recent announcement of local projects funded under Round One of the Albanese Government’s new Disaster Ready Fund.

Through the first round, Victoria will benefit from $53.3 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.

State and Territory governments submitted applications for a range of projects to improve mitigation and resilience, in collaboration with local Councils and community groups.

Senator for Victorian Jana Stewart said local projects included Remote Bushfire Detection, using satellite and terrestrial camera technology for early and rapid identification of bushfire ignitions. These projects are crucial for improving response times, reducing the impacts on people, property, and the environment, and improving first responder safety.

“The Mallee and Wimmera region faces the threat of disaster every year and natural disasters are becoming more common, and more dangerous due to our changing climate,” Senator Stewart said.

“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 north-west Victoria.

“We’re investing more than $850,000 to reduce flooding risk in Swan Hill and Robinvale. Drainage infrastructure, pump systems, and other assets will be upgraded with state-of-the-art technology. This will mitigate the impact of flooding on our regional communities and reduce safety risks for staff who manage the system during flooding events.”

“I grew up in Swan Hill, and I know firsthand the strength of our community. That’s why we’re working with the State Labor Government and delivery partners to support Victorians before disaster strikes.”

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.