The NSW and Federal governments have announced a jointly funded $260 million project to help rebuild critical infrastructure in areas across the state that have been damaged by natural disasters in the past three years. 

The initiative will provide funding to local councils and agencies for 136 repair projects under two separate Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) programs.  

The Infrastructure Betterment Fund is focused on rebuilding essential public assets, such as roads, bridges, and drainage systems damaged by the recent storm and flood events, as well as the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires.  

The second initiative, the Community Assets Program, will focus on repairing and building community areas such as parks, walkways and tourism and recreational facilities, which were affected by last year’s flooding.  

Federal Emergency Services Minister Murray Watt says the funding aims to ensure that the rebuilt assets and facilities will be more resilient against natural disasters and provide additional social, economic and productivity benefits.   

“This is another example of both levels of government working together to change the way we spend recovery funding after disasters across NSW, so communities are less exposed in the future, as disasters become increasingly frequent and intense,” Mr Watt said.  

“By rebuilding our schools, roads and drainage systems back to a higher standard, we are better prepared for future disasters and can keep communities connected, reduce the amount of hardship they experience, as well as avoid future reconstruction costs during and after a disaster event.”  

A complete list of funded projects is available on the Infrastructure Betterment Fund website and Community Assets Program website.