Local communities and emergency service volunteers across Australia will share a $13.8 million funding boost as a result of the latest round of grants under the Australian Government’s ‘Working Together to Manage Emergencies’ initiative.
In July, Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, announced the
423 projects that will receive the grants, which are designed to develop self reliance at both the community and Local Government levels.
“Some 500,000 Australians are volunteers in an emergency management capacity, with 350,000 directly involved in emergency first response, principally through the various rural fire services and State Emergency Service agencies,” Philip Ruddock said. “We have seen many recent examples of emergency service volunteers and local Council emergency teams responding to extreme bushfires and, by contrast, major storms and flooding.”
More than 180 Councils will share in the grants, with projects ranging from under $3,000 for a Recovery Centre Establishment Kit for Waratah/Wynyard Council in Tasmania, to $195,000 for regional disaster management training for environmental health practitioners at Brisbane City Council.
Funding was allocated through the Local Grants Scheme and the National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund, which is administered by Emergency Management Australia.
The two programs were developed in 2004 as part of the Working Together to Manage Emergencies initiative.
Each State and Territory convened a Selection Committee to prioritise all applications for funding received from Councils, Indigenous communities and volunteer agencies within the jurisdiction.
This ensured that only those projects that were consistent with the emergency management priorities of the State or Territory were successful.
More than 1,250 projects have now been funded through the initiative and include:
- $16 million over four years to the National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund to boost the recruitment, retention, skills and training of volunteer organisations
- $30 million over four years to the Local Grants Scheme to assist Councils to develop and implement emergency risk management initiatives, identify vulnerabilities, enhance protective measures for critical infrastructure and provide emergency management and security awareness training for staff.
“The successful projects represent a balance across rural and remote communities, Indigenous communities, as well as regional and capital cities, taking account of the risks and vulnerabilities facing people living in those communities,” Philip Ruddock said. “The grants support their endeavours to build safer sustainable communities.”
2007/08 is the fourth and final year of funding through the Working Together to Manage Emergencies initiative.
The Australian Government is currently considering options for possible replacement programs.
Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) Board Member, Councillor Bob Abbot, has urged the Australian Government to continue funding, reinforcing its significance to Local Government and their communities.
“Local Government is there before an emergency happens, helping communities to prepare,” he said. “Local Government is there during the emergency, helping communities to cope, and Local Government is there after the emergency, helping communities to recover.
“Direct funding of Councils through this program makes a major difference to volunteers and workers on the ground so often forgotten.
“Such a vital program needs continuing support.”
Full details of successful projects can be found on the EMA website at www.ema.gov.au/communitydevelopment.
