The Federal and NSW governments will work together in coming months on designing a new housing program for the central west region after jointly committing $100 million to improving resilience to natural disasters.

The commitment comes after the region was devastated by floods last year, and aims to build resilience for the future.

The programs will prioritise the most impacted local government areas of Cabonne, Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan. Funding will be provided under the jointly funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

The Federal Government says it will match NSW’s Central West Recovery and Resilience Package funding, bringing the joint commitment for that program to $60 million to support repair and replacement of critical community assets, improving the resilience of public infrastructure, and also include legal aid assistance.

The Federal Government will also match funding to deliver a $40 million resilient housing program for the Central West. Those details are to be agreed after community consultation and the projects will be overseen by a forum of community leaders and government representatives.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt says natural disasters remain a top priority.

“The floods experienced by communities across the Central West almost a year ago, were on a scale never seen before,” Mr Watt said. “It’s important that all levels of Government are looking at ways to make communities more resilient to future events.

“This funding will help to build stronger, safer communities in the Central West.”

The Central West Recovery and Resilience Package is made up of a Regional Transport Resilience Fund estimated $32 million, a Community Assets Program estimated $25 million, Legal Aid Assistance Program estimated $1 million, a Central West Housing Consultation Program estimated $2 million, and the $40 million Central West Housing Program.

NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib says the additional funding will help Central West communities build back stronger.

“We know how important targeted support is for communities after a natural disaster, and it’s clear that more needs to be done to help them adapt and mitigate future extreme weather events,” Mr Dib said.

Over the coming months, the NSW Reconstruction Authority will engage with the community and work closely with local community leaders to prioritise the additional funding and help design the Central West housing program, he says.

NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully says recovery is a long-term issue requiring evidence-based planning and community leadership.

“This funding will go a long way to making sure communities are better placed to mitigate future disasters and recover more quickly,” he said.