Lismore and the other Northern Rivers local councils can now apply for the Albanese Government’s new Disaster Ready Fund (DRF).

After last year's natural disaster which devasted our city and the region, this program is set to deliver on the Federal Government’s election commitment to ensure Australia is better prepared for future disasters.

Up to $200 million is available next financial year to state and territory governments, in partnership with councils, for projects to support communities to reduce risks and better prepare for future floods, cyclones, bushfires, storm surges and other natural hazards.

Projects under the DRF could include:

• Infrastructure projects like flood levees, drainage improvements, fire breaks and evacuation centres to help reduce the vulnerability of communities facing high levels of disaster risk.
• initiatives that improve collection and sharing of data, improve land use planning or strengthen community capabilities.

It’s part of a long-term commitment to making Australia more resilient in the face of growing natural hazards, investing up to $1 billion over the next five years.

Lismore City Council (LCC) General Manager John Walker told the Lismore App, "LCC has a priority list for flood mitigation works that is used to apply for all government grants.

"As yet, we do not know the details of the new Disaster Ready program. Once we know the criteria for grants under the program, we will look at applying for funding in line with our priority list."

The Lismore understands some of the items on the list (not in any particular order) include:

• Power supply backups for pumps
• An extra pump at Hollingsworth Creek
• Two new submersible pumps at levee in South Lismore
• Raise pump control rooms and towers
• Audio alert system
• Widening existing flood channels

Emergency Management Minister, Murray Watt said opening applications was an important milestone in improving Australia’s disaster resilience.

“Australians have had a really tough couple of years with floods, fires, cyclones and more impacting our country, and we know that these natural disasters will only increase in intensity and frequency due to climate change,” Minister Watt said.

“That’s why before the election we committed to overhaul Scott Morrison’s failed $4.8 billion Emergency Response Fund, which didn’t build a single disaster mitigation project in three years.

“We’ll now put this money to work, to protect Australians’ lives, their properties, and to save taxpayers some of the huge repair costs that are incurred after every natural disaster.

“The Albanese Government understands that by investing in ongoing disaster mitigation, we can proactively deliver meaningful projects that curb the devastating impacts of floods, fires and other types of disasters, rather than just react to events.

“This is an unprecedented opportunity for all state and territory governments to take positive steps to safeguard essential infrastructure, communities, and industry. We expect them to work with local Councils and community groups when putting forward ideas for projects.”

More information about the first round of the DRF, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, can be found on the National Emergency Management Agency’s website at www.nema.gov.au/disaster-ready-fund.

In the past six months, the Albanese Government has made big changes to disaster management to ensure communities are better prepared for and recover quicker from natural disasters, including:

• Unifying the two arms of federal emergency management to create the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to build a more coordinated approach to disaster management.
• Legislating the Disaster Ready Fund to invest up to $200 million a year in mitigation projects like fire breaks, evacuation centres and flood levees.
• Working collaboratively with the states to fast-track ADF support and recovery payments to help individuals, local councils, small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations get back on their feet faster after a disaster.
• Getting money out the door for resilience and betterment projects in disaster-prone regions.
• Investing in Disaster Relief Australia to provide recovery and clean up support after disasters.
• Taking action on future building developments on floodplains, by working with the state and territory governments through the National Cabinet process.
• Galvanising voluntary home buybacks in regions repeatedly impacted by floods.

The Disaster Ready Fund is separate funding to the large CSIRO 'Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative' study that has been in progress since May 2022 with the full report to be completed by May 2024.

The initial 'Rapid Review and Assessment' for flood mitigation in the Northern Rivers was completed in December and is with NEMA (National Emergency Management Agency) waiting for release. It is understood there may be some crossover with council's flood mitigation requests but that won't be known until the report is made public which is believed to be by the end of January at the latest.