The second round of Disaster Ready Fund allocations will back 164 projects aimed at improving resilience and preparedness for natural catastrophes.

The round totals $387 million, jointly funded under the federal government’s five-year $1 billion DRF program, matched by state and territory governments.

Half of all local government areas have suffered disasters since 2022, some more than once.

“These projects are about getting on the front foot,” NSW Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib said.

“We often focus on disaster recovery, but these projects move us towards mitigating disaster ... and ensuring our communities are better prepared if disaster does strike. Every dollar we spend preparing communities for the next disaster is a dollar well spent.” 

There are 34 new projects in Victoria, 29 in Queensland, 27 in NSW and 26 in WA. These include a levee upgrade in South Albury, rain gauges and upgraded flood warnings, restoration of the Noosa coastline, and a cyclone-rated upgrade to the Kununurra leisure centre.

In SA, there are 18 mitigation projects, while 17 will be carried out in Tasmania, nine in the ACT and four in NT. These include a new community cyclone shelter, cultural burning on the Eyre Peninsula, wellbeing training, and thermal curtains to protect vulnerable homes during heatwaves.

The first funding round backed 185 projects, and three more rounds are to be announced in coming years.

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