The Federal Government is investing more than $5.4 million in four disaster resilience projects, including drone research to enhance bushfire risk reduction.

The investment comes from the Disaster Risk Reduction Package – a commitment by federal, state and territory governments to jointly contribute $261 million over the five years from 2019-20.

Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt says the package aims to reduce risk and improve preparation for natural disasters.

“The Australian Government is committed to making sure Australia is more prepared for natural disasters like fires, drought and floods, so communities can respond and recover quicker,” he said.

“I’m pleased that this funding will help improve the resourcing and accessibility of information, and will enhance risk reduction and preparedness for vulnerable community members including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.”

The four projects represent the fourth round of investment by the package.

CSIRO will get $2.5 million to develop new approaches to reducing risk and building resilience to bushfires and floods in the telecommunications sector.

About $210,000 will be provided to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts for the co-ordination of drone research and operational capability to enhance bushfire risk reduction.

The Bureau of Meteorology gets $1.27 million to enhance its warning systems so they are aligned with the Australian Warning System, to help communities prepare and respond to hazardous weather. And the Queensland Reconstruction Authority gets $1.5 million to improve access to disaster risk and preparedness information for households and communities.

“These four projects will assist in equipping communities and decision-makers with the capabilities and information needed to reduce disaster risk,” Mr Watt said.