The Federal Government has announced a $29 million Disaster Risk Reduction Fund for NSW communities to improve mitigation against future severe weather events and disasters.

Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt says the initiative will “inject significant funding” for more than 60 risk mitigation projects jointly funded by the state and federal governments.

“Unfortunately, communities in New South Wales have seen more than their fair share of natural disasters in recent years, and these projects will target capability building, community engagement, preparedness and prevention strategies, and risk mitigation initiatives,” Mr Watt said.

The fund will be administered by the state government’s newly established disaster mitigation body, the NSW Reconstruction Authority.

“We’ve witnessed the devastating impacts of natural disasters in NSW in recent years, particularly the widespread major flooding over the past 12 months, which is why we need to invest in projects that will better equip and prepare communities for future hazards,” NSW Emergency Services and Resilience, and Flood Recovery Minister Steph Cooke said.