IAG welcomes Government investment in disaster resilience and mitigation

IAG today welcomed the Commonwealth’s $600 million investment to be delivered by the new national agency to support local communities respond to natural disasters and to invest in initiatives to mitigate the impacts of future events in a changing climate.

The National Recovery and Resilience Agency, to be led by Coordinator-General Shane Stone, will support communities respond to and recover from major disasters, while also helping to protect people’s homes from the future impacts of bushfires, cyclones, floods and improving the resilience of critical essential services such as telecommunications. It will be complemented by the Australian Climate Service to help us better anticipate, manage and adapt to climate impacts.

The Government also announced $4.5 million to support disaster recovery scenario training to help regional communities prepare for high-risk hazards.

IAG Managing Director and CEO Nick Hawkins said these investments will help protect people, businesses and communities from the impacts of natural disasters.

“IAG has been very clear on the importance and benefits of greater investment in disaster mitigation and this is another positive step in ensuring the nation has a coordinated approach to disaster management and targeted investment in mitigation projects for vulnerable communities,” Mr Hawkins said.

“This will help create safer communities and reduce the financial and social impact of future natural disasters, which we know will be more severe and frequent in a changing climate.

“We look forward to supporting the work of the National Recovery and Resilience Agency and the Australian Climate Service to help protect people, businesses and communities across the nation from the impacts of natural disasters,” Mr Hawkins added.

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