Joint media release with the Hon Paul Papalia CSC MLA
A total of 15 projects will receive funding across Western Australia as part of Round Three of the Albanese Government's flagship Disaster Ready Fund (DRF), helping to make the State more resilient to natural hazards.
Western Australian communities will be more resilient to increasingly frequent and severe weather events, with $12.06 million to go towards projects that will build bushfire resilience, upgrade flood protection infrastructure, introduce remote hazard monitoring and implement flash flood warning systems.
Funding of $5.42 million has also been committed by partners bringing the total combined investment to $17.49 million.
Australian Government funding of $10.22 million will go towards six infrastructure projects and $1.66 million will go towards nine disaster resilience and risk reduction projects that will deliver enduring benefits for communities at risk of future natural disasters.
The Albanese Government established the $1 billion Disaster Ready Fund to reduce risk and build resilience in communities across Australia.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain
"This third round of investment builds on the work delivered by the Australian Government to make Australia more resilient to natural hazards.
"Western Australians are no stranger to floods, bushfires and cyclones - that's why we established the flagship Disaster Ready Fund.
"Round Three will benefit all 137 Western Australian local government areas and will support State and local authorities including non-government organisations and businesses to protect themselves and their communities.
"Crucially, Round Three brings our investment to make Australia more resilient through the DRF to $600 million - and I'd like to thank many of the project proponents for matching our funding."
Quotes attributable to Western Australian Minister for Emergency Services, Paul Papalia
"These innovative and strategic initiatives will create safer, more prepared communities and substantially reduce the toll that disasters take on Western Australians.
"We know that every dollar spent on disaster preparedness and building resilience saves significantly more in recovery and reconstruction costs.
"By investing in these critical projects across our State we are actively reducing disaster risks while increasing our capacity to respond and recover."
This latest investment builds on the previous two rounds of the Disaster Ready Fund in WA with more than $46 million in Australian Government funding awarded to 53 projects. Of these projects, just under half are in pre-construction or construction phase, with 17 projects already nearing completion or complete.
Examples of successful DRF Round Three projects include:
- Increasing Karajarri Ranger capacity to reduce wildfire risks through early season fire management, enhanced waterpoints, improved grading and the addition of a light fire tanker, supported by approximately $895,000 in Commonwealth funding.
- Upgrading South Carnarvon's surge wall and coastal levee system to mitigate the risk of seawater inundation along the Gascoyne coast, with about $5.58 million provided.
- Establishing a remotely piloted natural hazard monitoring capability by procuring and introducing suitable fixed wing aircraft, backed by $1.22 million in Commonwealth funding.
- Installing a flash flood warning system in Karijini National Park, including rain gauges and water level monitors in key catchment areas, supported by more than $228,000 in Commonwealth funding.
The full list of WA projects supported by DRF Round Three is available at Disaster Ready Fund.
