Wingecarribee Shire Secures Disaster Ready Funding to Boost Resilience

Published on 12 September 2024

Fallen gum tree

Wingecarribee Shire Council is pleased to announce funding has been secured for our Shire, under the Australian Government's Disaster Ready Fund (DRF) Round Two. This funding will significantly enhance the Shire's preparedness and response capabilities for future natural disasters.

"We are thrilled to receive this funding, which will enable us to implement critical initiatives to strengthen our community's resilience," said Lisa Miscamble, General Manager, Wingecarribee Shire Council. "These projects will help us better prepare for and recover from future disasters."

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) awarded funding for two Wingecarribee projects:

CRJO Disaster Adaptation Preparedness Support Program: This $1,820,587 project will support Wingecarribee and other member councils across NSW in building disaster resilience. It will involve developing regional and local disaster adaptation plans, enhancing capacity building, and advocating for investment in resilient infrastructure.

Building Systemic Adaptive Capacity for Illawarra/Shoalhaven: This $2,532,800 project, led by NEMA, will focus on strengthening the disaster adaptation capacity of Wingecarribee and other Illawarra and Shoalhaven councils. The project aims to embed hazard mitigation and resilience strategies within existing frameworks, ultimately reducing disaster vulnerability across the region.

The announcement comes at a crucial time, coinciding with the upcoming Emergency Management and Resilience Meetings this month and the Rural Fire Service (RFS) Get Ready Weekend. These initiatives highlight the importance of preparing our community for natural disasters.

Disaster Ready Fund: Building National Resilience

 The Disaster Ready Fund is the Australian Government’s initiative providing up to $1 billion over five years from 2023-24 for projects designed to bolster the nation's disaster resilience. This funding empowers communities to address the physical and social impacts of natural disasters.

For a complete list of successful DRF Round Two projects, please visit: https://nema.gov.au/disaster-ready-fund

Wingecarribee Shire Council remains committed to proactively preparing for natural disasters and ensuring the safety of our community.