The Assistant Minister for Emergency Management is in Tasmania today visiting a City of Hobart project that is strengthening disaster resilience for Hobart and Sandy Bay residents.
Co-funded by the Albanese Government through the Disaster Ready Fund, the $1.1 million City of Hobart Willow Removal Project is ridding the city's waterway of crack willow, an invasive weed that forms impenetrable thickets that in turn lead to flooding and bank erosion.
The council is currently removing the invasive species from private properties as well as adjoining bushland.
So far, the City of Hobart has earmarked more than 277 crack willows along the Hobart Rivulet and 319 Sandy Bay Rivulet for eradication as part the three-year project.
Revegetation with hundreds of native trees will take restore this riverine environment on a sustainable basis.
The project will reduce the risk and harm of major flood events to people, natural, built infrastructure and businesses in areas surrounding the Hobart Rivulet and Sandy Bay Rivulet.
The project is expected to be completed in February 2027.
Providing up to $1 billion over five years, the Disaster Ready Fund (DRF) is the Albanese Government's flagship initiative for disaster resilience and risk reduction.
Across Tasmania, the three DRF rounds have granted almost $25 million in Commonwealth funding to support local resilience projects, matched by state and local investment.
Quotes attributable to Federal Assistant Minister for Emergency Management, Josh Wilson
"It's wonderful to see this environmental restoration project underway to reduce the risk of flood damage to Hobart's residents and businesses and improve disaster preparedness.
"While often overlooked, invasive and fast-spreading species can cause serious damage to bushlands and water ways. Keeping weeds under control is a simple but powerful way to improve environmental restoration and reduce the impacts of future floods."
