The Federal Government has announced a $26 million boost to Queensland’s ability to cope with natural disasters.

Both governments will contribute more than $12 million under the Natural Disaster Resilience Program (NDRP), with the applicant and partner organisations also contributing funding. Some 68 projects will benefit.

Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland says with climate change affecting weather patterns, it’s likely natural disaster events in Queensland “will be more regular and more severe in coming years”.

“We need to look further ahead and build resilience to natural disasters in communities across the state,” he said.

Queensland Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts says projects funded in the second and latest round of the NDRP have ranged from flood mapping to back-up power and generators for essential services and flood surveillance cameras.

“Each of these projects has been selected because they assist the community to better prepare for, and recover from, natural disasters like floods, severe storms and cyclones,” he said.

Some 124 applications for funding – valued at $64 million – have been made in the second NDRP funding round. The NDRP is a four-year funded program with $44 million available to eligible organisations.