Cth outlines role for LG in flood mitigation infrastructure funding

Applications
for $50 million of federal funding to undertake critical flood mitigation
infrastructure projects opened on 21 December.

Federal
Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud says the program will enable
the Commonwealth to “contribute to, or fund, the maintenance, improvement, or
construction, of flood mitigation infrastructure which will improve the
resilience of local communities to withstand or reduce the impact of flooding
events”.

The
funding, to be drawn from the Commonwealth’s Emergency Response Fund, will be
provided through the newly established National Flood Mitigation Infrastructure
Program.

Guidelines for the program indicate that only a state or territory government may apply for program funding.

“However, a
state or territory government may use a third party to deliver the projects on
its behalf … including through funding a local government.”

Co-contributions
from state or territory governments (and or other appropriate funding partners)
“is desirable but not essential”.

In a letter to ALGA President Linda Scott, Mr Littleproud said state and territory governments are required to consult with local government and communities to ensure applications are appropriately targeted and reflect community need and interest.

Cr Scott
said ALGA would take Mr Littleproud’s lead and “proactively engage with state
and territory governments to contribute to the consultation process”.

Program
questions can be directed to the Disaster Preparedness Branch, Department of
Home Affairs, via flood.mitigation@homeaffairs.gov.au