JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
SENATOR THE HON MURRAY WATT, MINISTER FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
THE HON SHAYNE NEUMANN MP, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BLAIR
The Somerset Region will be better protected and prepared for future natural disasters following this week’s announcement that a Toogoolawah flood mitigation project will receive funding under Round One of the Albanese Government’s new Disaster Ready Fund.
Through the first round, the region will benefit from more than $2.0 million in combined investment into disaster prevention, through the Federal, State and delivery partner co-contributions.
The Fund was an election commitment by the Albanese Government and will deliver national long-term mitigation funding to help protect communities from natural disasters.
State and Territory governments submitted applications for a range of projects to improve mitigation and resilience, in collaboration with local councils and community groups.
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann welcomed the funding for the Toogoolawah (Dingyarra Street) flood mitigation project.
“The Somerset Region endured devastating floods in 2011, 2013 and most recently in January-February 2022, and Toogoolawah was significantly affected during last year’s floods. The local population are at risk of flooding in the event of a future flood event without appropriate flood mitigation measures in place.
“Through the Albanese Government’s new Disaster Ready Fund, we’re investing up to $1 billion in Commonwealth funding over five years to build critical projects that will reduce disaster risk, help to reduce recovery costs and strengthen community resilience across Australia, including more than $2 million in the Somerset Region.
“The Toogoolawah (Dingyarra Street) flood mitigation project will improve drainage that will mitigate future flood impacts for surrounding properties, and make the area significantly safer during floods, storms and other emergency events.
“It was good to go and see the project site with Somerset Regional Council Mayor Graeme Lehmann and local councillors on Saturday while I was in town for the Toogoolawah Show. I want to thank the Council for their strong advocacy for this project,” Mr Neumann said.
The Commonwealth is providing $1.0 million ($1,020,816) and the Queensland Government is making a co-contribution of $1.0 million ($1,024,327), for a total project cost of $2.0 million ($2,045,143).
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Senator Murray Watt said while the Federal Government would continue to support areas impacted by disasters, it was critical we do more to build defences, to better protect communities and their regional economies.
“We know that every dollar spent on disaster resilience and mitigation delivers a return on investment to governments and households nine times over. But as a country we invest far more in recovering from disasters than we do defending against them, and that mentality has got to change,” Minister Watt said.
“This is about more than just bricks and mortar. We are changing the way Australia deals with natural disasters by planning better for the future to ensure that communities all around the country are better prepared, less exposed and in the best possible position to recover when disasters strike.”
The Disaster Ready Fund builds upon the Albanese Government’s commitment to ensure Australia is better prepared for natural disasters.
Over the last year, the Federal Government has paid out more than $2.7 billion in recovery and resilience programs and payments to support individuals and communities impacted by natural disasters.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) will work with each jurisdiction to negotiate funding agreements with funds to be provided as soon as possible from July 2023. Projects must be completed within three years.
There were more than 300 applications submitted across all states and territories. Successful projects were selected following a rigorous merit-based assessment process undertaken by NEMA.
More information on the Disaster Ready Fund, including updates on Round Two, can be found on NEMA’s website at: www.nema.gov.au/programs/disaster-ready-fund
