$15 million for Tasmania announced in Disaster Ready Fund Round Two

Tasmanians will be better prepared for and protected from future natural disasters following today's announcement of over $15 million for 17 local projects through the Albanese Government’s flagship Disaster Ready Fund (DRF).

These projects significantly reduce disaster risk and build long-term resilience in the face of increasing disasters and are jointly funded with the Tasmanian or local governments.

Funding will be provided to restore degraded coastlines, upgrade electricity infrastructure, deliver mental health training, and reduce the risk of bushfires. 

DRF Round Two sees the Australian Government investment over $4.8 million towards five infrastructure projects and a further $2.7 million for systemic risk reduction projects.

The Tasmanian Government, local governments, and other Tasmanian organisations are collectively investing $8.1 million into the projects.

This funding is part of a long-term commitment to enhance Australia's capacity to respond, adapt and recover by investing up to $1 billion over the next five years in resilience.

Australian Government Minister for Emergency Management, Jenny McAllister said the government is helping prepare and protect Tasmanian communities before disasters hit.

“We know that our climate is changing, and Australians can expect to experience more intense and more frequent natural disasters, which is why the Albanese Government is acting to prepare and protect communities from natural disasters and their impacts.  

“Since 2022 nearly 70% of local government areas in Tasmania have experienced disaster. The Albanese Government is working with communities to build resilience like early detection fire cameras for quicker response times and works in the Clyde River that reduce flood risk in the Central Highlands.

“By working with the Tasmanian Government to make significant investments in mitigation projects, we are reducing the risks Tasmanians face during disasters. This means better outcomes for communities and will reduces clean up and recovery costs.”

Tasmanian Premier, Jeremy Rockliff said the 17 projects would help communities across Tasmania become better equipped to respond to future disasters.

“The Tasmanian Government worked closely with our communities to identify priority projects,” Premier Rockliff said. 

“From early detection cameras to upgrading energy infrastructure, the diverse range of projects will help the community be more resilient to disasters like bushfires, storms, landslides, and coastal hazards.  

“Together with local governments, community organisations and others we are collectively investing more than $8 million into these important projects and I congratulate all of our successful project proponents.

“These projects will build on previous actions taken to make Tasmania more resilient to disasters while also preparing for more frequent and severe weather events.”

This is the second round of funding from the Albanese Government’s Disaster Ready Fund, which last year saw $200 million in Commonwealth funding provided for 185 projects across the country, with projects now underway.

The Round Two funding announced today will support projects in every state and territory, with a full list available here: https://nema.gov.au/disaster-ready-fund#roundtwo

Successful projects in Tasmania include:

• A remote area early fire detection camera network which will assist with rapid identification of ignitions and result in quicker response times.
• Clyde River Resilience Project that will upgrade infrastructure, mitigate erosion and undertake strategic revegetation to reduce future flood risk in the Central Highlands.
• A Derwent Valley Community Resilience Project which improve the ability of people living with disability, older people and isolated/vulnerable community members to remain safe through the provision of personal emergency plans.
• A series of kitchen-table-style sessions delivered in workplaces to increase social resilience and empower individuals with disaster response capacity.
• Upgrades to the electricity infrastructure across Tasmania to ensure water treatment plants and pump stations are more resilient to bushfire, storms and floods.