A total of 18 projects will receive funding across NSW as part of Round Three of the Federal Government’s flagship Disaster Ready Fund (DRF), helping to make the state more resilient to natural hazards, including the Disaster Readiness program in Lismore and the Northern Rivers. 

NSW communities will be more resilient to increasingly frequent and intense severe weather events, with $69.46 million to be invested in projects including flood protection, levee infrastructure, emergency evacuation facilities, ecological restoration, and support for community resilience groups to strengthen disaster readiness across NSW.

Funding of $37.18 million has also been committed by partners, bringing the total combined investment to $106.64 million.

Australian Government funding of $46.12 million will go towards 10 infrastructure projects, and $22.3 million will go towards eight disaster resilience and risk reduction projects that will deliver enduring benefits for communities at risk of future natural disasters.

The Albanese Government established the $1 billion Disaster Ready Fund to reduce risk and build resilience in communities across Australia.

Other examples of successful DRF Round Three projects include:

• Narrandera Urban Stormwater Upgrade is improving flood protection for the community, with funding of $14.2 million.
• Raising the North Wagga Levee with matched funding of $9.1 million.
• Wytaliba and Weilmoringle Levees Enhancement and Pumping Infrastructure Project is strengthening levee infrastructure for local flood resilience in Brewarrina, supported by $8.4 million.
• Baryulgil Evacuation Centre and Community Resilience Project is providing vital facilities for emergency evacuation and resilience, with $2 million awarded.
• Mountains to Sea – Nature-based Ecological Restoration is rehabilitating 43 km and 128 hectares along NSW North Coast, helping to reduce disaster risk and build resilience to floods, storms and cyclones, with $2.7 million in funding.
• Enabling Regional Readiness will deliver tailored support to 60 volunteer-led resilience groups across the Northern Rivers, with $1.5 million provided.
• Deliver the Resilience Homes and Preparedness Program providing 2000 home assessments to the most at risk properties in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley, with just over $2 million in funding. 
• Complete the design and construction for $2.1km of flood prone section of a vital emergency connection route for the town of Iluka with just over $3 million of matched funding. 

The full list of successful projects supported by DRF Round Three is available at Disaster Ready Fund.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said, “This third round of investment builds on the work delivered by the Australian Government to make Australia more resilient to natural hazards.

“People across NSW are no stranger to floods, bushfires, and severe storms – that’s why we established the flagship Disaster Ready Fund.

“Round Three will benefit all 128 NSW local government areas and support state and local authorities including non-government organisations to protect themselves and their communities.

“Crucially, Round Three brings our investment to make Australia more resilient through the DRF to $600 million – and I’d like to thank many of the project proponents for matching our funding.”

NSW Minister for Recovery, Janelle Saffin said, “This investment is about building safer, stronger, and more resilient communities right across NSW.”

“Through the Disaster Ready Fund, we’re working with councils, communities and recovery partners to deliver practical projects that reduce risk and protect lives and livelihoods.”

“From upgraded evacuation routes to strengthened levees and community preparedness programs, these projects are a vital part of our ongoing recovery and resilience effort.”

This latest investment builds on the previous two rounds of the Disaster Ready Fund in NSW, with over $72 million in Australian Government funding awarded to 49 projects. Of these projects, just under half are in planning and design or pre-construction phase, with five projects already nearing completion or complete.