COMMONWEALTH AND VICTORIA AGREE ON DISASTER RESILIENCE PARTNERSHIP
Joint Media Release
Attorney-General
Hon Robert McClelland MP
Victorian Minister for Emergency Services
Hon Bob Cameron MP
19 February 2010
Federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland and Victorian Minister for Emergency Services, Bob Cameron, today announced a $7.8 million joint implementation plan for disaster resilience initiatives in Victoria.
The plan formally implements the National Partnership Agreement on Natural Disaster Resilience signed by the Prime Minister and the Victorian Premier at the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting in December 2009.
The implementation plan will be funded under the Commonwealth’s new $110 million Natural Disaster Resilience Program (NDRP) which assists Government and non government agencies, in conjunction with the private sector, to cooperatively prepare for, and respond to, major natural disasters.
“The plan has been designed to maximise flexibility in targeting local priorities and is the first to be agreed between the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments,” Mr McClelland said.
The implementation plan will provide funding for bushfire mitigation initiatives identified by the Victorian Government in the 2008 Emergency Risk Assessment, including:
- $6.5 million for the ‘Summer Fire Information Campaign’ to better inform residents and visitors on the preparation and actions required to address the threat of bushfires; and
- $500,000 for the ‘Fire Access Roads Subsidy Scheme’ to help municipal councils maintain fire access roads, particularly in areas of high bushfire risk.
“This is an excellent example of cooperation between Governments and I look forward to working closely with the Commonwealth to further strengthen our efforts to ensure Victoria is prepared for the threat of bushfires and other natural disaster risks,” Mr Cameron said.
Further information on the Natural Disaster Resilience Program can be found at www.ema.gov.au
Media Contacts:
Adam Siddique (McClelland) 0407 473 630
Cameron Scott (Cameron) 0448 346 942
