The Australian and Victorian Governments have invested in local projects under the Risk and Resilience Grants Program to further protect our communities from bushfires, floods and other extreme weather events.

Member for Mallee, Anne Webster welcomed the announcement saying local organisations would benefit.

“These risk reduction and mitigation initiatives will better prepare our communities and reduce the loss and suffering that is so often caused by natural disasters,” Dr Webster said.

“Loddon Shire Council, Gannawarra Shire Council and Northern Grampians Shire Council have received grants under this funding round.

“The Risk and Resilience Grants Program recognise that locals know what’s most important for their community. The grants recognise that locals know what’s most important for their community – giving them the help they need and the power to make their hometowns better,” Dr Webster said

Gannawarra Shire Council have received $40,000 of federal funding towards the Koondrook Flood Mitigation Infrastructure, which will develop design construction drawings for the Koondrook flood mitigation infrastructure.

Loddon Shire Council have received $30,000 towards the Korong Vale Flood study. This project will seek to improve the accuracy of flood levels and extents for a range of flood events in the area.

“Northern Grampians Shire Council has received $25,000 towards the Marnoo Flood Study and $60,000 towards the Stawell Flood Investigation.

The grants program is part of the National Partnership Agreement on Disaster Risk Reduction, which aims to reduce the risk and impact of natural disasters in line with the National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework.

Under the Risk and Resilience Grants Program, recipients make a co-contribution towards an initiative that is focused on identifying and mitigating potential natural disaster risks, such as climate change adaptation, designing resilient infrastructure and developing strategies to manage the local and regional risks of natural disasters.

Further information about the Risk and Resilience Grants Program is available on the Emergency Management Victoria website at https://www.emv.vic.gov.au/how-we-help/grants-and-awards/risk-and-resilience-grants-program