ALGA welcomes $150m for local disaster mitigation projects

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has welcomed the release of guidelines for the $150 million community infrastructure component of the Commonwealth’s $600 million Preparing Australia Program.

The
Program is focused on disaster preparedness and responds to recommendations of
the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements aimed at
better preparing communities for more severe and frequent disasters.

The
release of the funding guidelines comes 13 months after the Royal Commission’s
report.

Under
the “Preparing Australian Communities – Local” component of the program, local
governments and communities can apply for grants from $20,000 to $10 million
for projects that will help them better prepare for future disasters and lessen
their impacts.

ALGA
President Linda Scott said the opportunity to enhance the resilience of
essential local infrastructure and boost post-COVID economic recovery would be
welcomed by all communities.

“Investing
in betterment funding saves communities and governments millions of dollars in
the long term by ensuring that our community infrastructure can better
withstand natural disasters,” Cr Scott said.

“By
funding local governments, the Federal Government is investing in our
communities who receive additional benefits through the creation of new jobs,
local economic growth, lower insurance premiums, and faster reductions in
greenhouse gas emissions.”

Cr Scott said consultation with ALGA and its members was an excellent example of the Commonwealth and the sector working together to ensure maximum impact for local governments and their communities.

Grants will be open to all local government areas at high risk of disasters (not just the 110 disaster-declared ones) and ALGA welcomes the Commonwealth’s decision not to require cash co-contributions by councils.

Projects
under $100,000 will require no co-contribution, nor will planning and
awareness-raising projects. For infrastructure projects over $100,000, local
government’s co-contribution can be in kind.

“There
is a mismatch between the amount of local government infrastructure exposed to
climate change risks, and the resources we have to effectively manage these
risks,” Cr Scott said.

“Preparing
for natural disaster events is a shared responsibility, and we look forward to
working with all stakeholders to ensure the Royal Commission’s disaster risk
reduction recommendations are fully implemented.”

ENDS