More than $3 million has been awarded to a range of initiatives that will help Western Australian communities reduce the risk and impact of natural hazards.
Fourteen projects have been approved through the National Disaster Risk Reduction (NDRR) Grant Program, which is jointly funded under a National Partnership Agreement between the Commonwealth and Western Australian governments.
A range of not-for-profit organisations, community groups, local governments and State Government agencies – stretching from the Kimberley to the Great Southern regions – will benefit from the latest round of funding.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, said the NDRR Grant Program was helping communities and regions to actively reduce disaster risk in order to minimise the loss and suffering caused by severe weather events.
“More than 90 per cent of Western Australia is bushfire-prone and the North West is susceptible to cyclones, which is why risk reduction and mitigation is critical before natural hazards occur,” Minister Watt said.
“The grant recipients are leading innovative and important projects including Aboriginal burning programs, vital infrastructure upgrades and training initiatives that will boost WA’s resilience to natural disasters.
“Each of these initiatives will make WA a more resilient state that is better equipped to protect communities from the impacts of disasters like bushfires and cyclones.”
Western Australia Acting Minister for Emergency Services, the Hon Don Punch MLA, said a record number of applicants had applied for the 2022‑23 funding round and the successful projects would have an immediate impact in their community.
“Last summer’s high-threat period, when there were bushfires across large areas of the state, showed us how important preparation is to minimising the impact of natural disasters.
“It is very encouraging to see Aboriginal burning practices being re-introduced across our state, building local capability in cultural fire and land management.
“Climate change is creating new challenges for emergency services, so we need to continue to back innovative ideas and projects that work to protect vulnerable communities in new ways.
“This is the largest amount of funding we’ve awarded WA applicants since the NDRR Grant Program began in 2020 and we will be working hard to continue this momentum when opportunities open again next year.”
The Commonwealth will provide more than $12.5 million to Western Australia under the jointly funded National Partnership Agreement on Disaster Risk Reduction over five years from 2019‑20 to 2023‑24.
More information on the NDRR Grant Program can be found at https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation
