The Albanese Government’s promised Disaster Ready Fund has passed through the Senate.

The Disaster Ready Fund will improve Australia’s disaster readiness by investing up to $200 million per year on disaster prevention and resilience.

“Thousands of Australians who face bushfires, floods and cyclones every year deserve to be protected by a Federal Government who plans ahead and invests to keep them safe,” said Member for Solomon Luke Gosling.

Labor’s Disaster Ready Fund will curb the devastating impacts of natural disasters by investing in important disaster prevention projects like flood levees, sea walls, cyclone shelters, evacuation centres, fire breaks and telecommunications improvements.

“Disaster prevention is cheaper than disaster recovery. These investments will save Australian lives and properties from destruction,” Mr Gosling said.

The Australian Government invites councils and community organisations in the Darwin and Palmerston region to participate in the Disaster Ready Fund (DRF) consultation process.

The first round of the DRF is set to commence in early 2023 to help communities better prepare for future disasters.

Up to $1 billion over five years will be made available under the DRF, with states and territories able to apply for the first $200 million to fund projects that help reduce disaster risk and build resilience to be delivered from 1 July 2023.

Mr Gosling said the DRF was an important milestone in the implementation of the Government’s flagship disaster resilience initiatives.

“The Albanese Labor Government deeply understands the need to invest in mitigation projects that will curb the devastating impacts of natural disasters,” Mr Gosling said.

“Our commitment to better invest in disaster risk reduction is underscored by our billion-dollar Disaster Ready Fund, which will enable investment to reduce the physical, economic and social impacts of disasters experienced by Australian communities.”

Projects under the DRF could include:

• Infrastructure projects: to help reduce the vulnerability of communities facing high levels of disaster risk, and
• Systemic risk reduction projects that limit the impact of future disasters, which may include initiatives that improve collection and sharing of data, improve land use planning or strengthen community capabilities.

“We all have a role in being better prepared for natural hazards, and this is your opportunity to have your say on the DRF,” Mr Gosling said.

“I encourage you to participate in the Designing the Disaster Ready Fund Survey, available at nema.gov.au/programs/disaster-ready-fund.”

More information about the first Round of the DRF will be published on the National Emergency Management Agency’s website at www.nema.gov.au.