Joint media release with the Hon Jeremy Rockliff MP
Tasmania will be better protected and prepared for future natural disasters following today's announcement of 19 local projects funded under Round One of the Albanese Government's new Disaster Ready Fund.
Through the first round, Tasmania will benefit from nearly $30 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.
Successful Tasmanian projects include:
- A major flood mitigation project for the Sheepwash Creek catchment in the Northern Midlands region
- Energy security and communication improvements for the South Arm Community Evacuation Centre
- Extra water and flood awareness training for 3000 TasPol, TFES, SES and associated volunteers to equip them with best practise flood water rescue training and skills
- Flash flooding mitigation in the Derwent Valley
- Targeted assistance to people with disabilities and their service providers to help them to prepare for bushfires, floods and storms
- Funding for northern councils to address climate change
- Enhancing landslide risk mitigation in Tasmania's urban zones
A full list of Tasmanian projects is available here: https://nema.gov.au/programs/disaster-ready-fund/round-one
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said Tasmanians were no strangers to natural disasters, and governments at all levels needed to take decisive action to better protect communities.
"Through the Disaster Ready Fund, we're investing up to $1 billion over five years to fund critical projects that will reduce disaster risk, help to reduce recovery costs and build community resilience," Minister Watt said.
"As a country we invest far more in recovering from disasters than we do defending against them, and that mentality has got to change.
"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."
"This is just one step in our commitment to disaster reduction and mitigation - working with state and territory governments to better protect and prepare Australians for future disasters."
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the wide range of local projects included community resilience and awareness projects, investment in infrastructure, erosion mitigation strategies, data collection and sharing, and emergency response equipment.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the funding would help future-proof Tasmania from natural disasters.
"Tasmanians know full well the devastating impact of natural disasters, be it floods, bushfires, or storms, and we need to do everything we can to minimise their impact on our communities," the Premier said.
"The wide range of local projects funded include community resilience and awareness projects, investment in infrastructure, erosion mitigation strategies, data collection and sharing, and emergency response equipment.
"These important projects, funded by the Australian and Tasmanian Governments, local governments and partner organisations, will deliver almost $30 million to build the state's resilience to future disasters.
We will continue working closely with all levels of Government to support affected communities, not only during their recovery from disasters, but by ensuring greater investment in disaster risk reduction."
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 can be found on NEMA's website.
