The Federal Government has honoured its commitment to boost funding for disaster readiness and community resilience through its newly-created Disaster Ready Fund.

Some 23 West Australian projects were funded under the Fund’s first round, totaling $18.1m in joint funding between the Federal Government and project proponents.

These projects include a new airport microgrid for City of Greater Geraldton, which received $2m in Commonwealth funding, $813,000 for upgrades to the Shire of Boyup Brook’s emergency evacuation centre, and $900,000 towards a redevelopment of the Nabawa Recreation Centre in the Shire of Chapman Valley.

Local Governments delivering each of these projects, and several more, will match the Commonwealth commitments provided through the Disaster Ready Fund.

WALGA President Cr Karen Chappel said she was pleased to see the Federal Government assisting Local Government efforts to boost community resilience to natural disasters.

“Local Governments in Western Australia have long called for a stronger focus on preparedness and mitigation to reduce the impacts of natural disasters,” she said.

“We have seen first-hand the long, expensive and tiring process for communities of disaster recovery too many times in recent years.

“Ensuring communities are well-prepared before disaster strikes helps to reduce the economic and social burden of these events.

“The projects funded under the DRF will go some way to alleviating the burdens of future disasters and we look forward to working with the Federal Government to ensure more Local Government-led projects can be funded in future rounds.”

The Federal Government has committed a $200m spend through the DRF per year. 187 new projects were funded nationwide under its first round.

For an interview with WALGA President Karen Chappel please contact: 
WALGA Media and Communications 0448 896 435 or communications@walga.asn.au