HON KRISTY MCBAIN MP

MINISTER FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, MINISTER FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND TERRITORIES

DAVID MONCRIEFF MP

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR HUGHES

As households prepare for bushfire season across New South Wales, the Albanese government is releasing more funding for disaster preparedness.

Fourteen projects across the state will receive funding through Round 4 of the government’s $1 billion Disaster Ready Fund.

The Albanese government will contribute $37 million towards projects across NSW, complemented by nearly $44.9 million from the Minns government and project partners, with a total investment of nearly $81.9 million.

Included in this round is $2.1 million to fund the implementation of a Heat Smart City Plan, intended to improve heat wave preparedness across Greater Sydney.

The Plan involves capacity-building projects to help residents cope with a warming climate, such as heat-safe social housing, heat-smart home improvements, and cool suburb planning measures.

Extreme heat carriers high risk for residents across Australia, with higher average temperatures and urban heat islands remaining chronic stressors in some areas of Sydney.

Federal Member for Hughes, David Moncrieff said that “funding for disaster preparedness is a must-have.”

“Preparedness means investing in resilience and risk reduction now to ensure that our community across southern Sydney is shielded from future hazards.”

Project locations cover the Sutherland Shire, Liverpool, and Campbelltown local government areas in the southern Sydney electorate of Hughes.

The Disaster Ready Fund also includes $5.77 million to upgrade Australia’s Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS), helping keep communities safe during bushfire season.  

Quotes attributable to Minister McBain

“These projects will deliver practical benefits that reduce risk and keep communities safer.”

“At its heart, this funding is about building stronger, more resilient communities. By investing before disasters happen, we’re helping communities across New South Wales better withstand future hazards, recover faster, and remain safer for the long term.”

“The Disaster Ready Fund is about getting ahead of disasters by investing in mitigation and resilience now, so communities are better protected into the future.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Hughes, David Moncrieff MP:

“Many across our community still remember the devastating bushfires that raged across the Sutherland Shire in 1994. As we enter a long, hot summer, it is essential to be alert and prepared to withstand any hazards that may occur.”

“This funding will help build more resilient, heat safe places and systems to ensure our community can survive an thrive in a warmer climate with higher temperatures.”