Joint media release with the Hon Jaclyn Symes
Victorians will benefit from nearly $1.8 million in projects to mitigate the risks posed by storms, heatwaves and other climate change hazards.
The Commonwealth Government has funded five innovative projects in partnership with the Victorian Government that aim to lessen the effect of catastrophic natural events in Victoria.
The successful projects are:
- $85,000 for Strathbogie Shire Council – Strathbogie Cooler Town’s Project aims to increase tree canopy coverage in the townships of Euroa, Nagambie and Violet Town.
- $357,183 for Nillumbik Shire Council – The Disaster Resilient Nillumbik project is a community preparedness and resilience building exercise. It includes a leadership program to enhance the skills and capacity of key community leaders who can represent their local communities when planning for natural disasters and disaster recovery.
- $235,000 for Brimbank City Council – to establish the Victorian Climate Resilient Councils, a coordinated state-wide program which will support councils to strengthen their knowledge, skills and capacity to build for, manage and reduce risks associated with heatwaves, storms and other hazards due to climate change.
- $1 million for Department of Transport – the Public Transport Energy Future project will help to future-proof the electrical system that Victoria’s public transport uses.
- $100,000 for Department of Health – Climate risk modelling of Victorian hospitals project will look at the exposure to storm and heatwaves of up to ten Victorian hospitals, as well as potential future interventions.
These projects will be delivered under the National Partnership Agreement (NPA) between the Commonwealth and Victorian Government through the State and Regional Priority Projects Grants Program.
The NPA delivers $16.74 million to Victoria over five years from 2019-20 to 2023-24 and requires a matching financial or in-kind contribution.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt:
“The purpose of these grants is to help people and communities to gain the tools and knowledge to reduce the impacts and effects of disasters on their region.
“All levels of government are committed to reducing the trauma, damage and loss of life we see all too often during natural disasters. By involving communities in that work, we get some great ideas like the ones we’ve now funded.
“These projects will allow people in high-risk weather areas to become more prepared and resilient to disaster events.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Services, Jaclyn Symes:
“The best way to prevent disasters is to prepare for them – these projects are an important way for Victorians to understand the risks and try get ahead of them.”
“We are living with a changing climate – it’s critical we work together at all levels of government to keep communities safe and reduce the risk.”
