Floodplain Management Australia (FMA) President Ian Dinham has welcomed the appointment of the Albanese ministry and looks forward to working with the new Commonwealth Government to better manage the enormous flood risks which too many communities face.
Mr. Dinham said the flooding which has devastated so much of eastern Australia over recent months clearly demonstrates the need to move ahead quickly with Labor’s Disaster Ready plan, investing in disaster prevention projects like flood levees and telecommunications improvements.
“The announcement in February by then Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese and Senator Murray Watt that Labor will spend up to $200 million per year for disaster prevention and resilience was welcomed.
“It is consistent with the recommendation of the 2014 Productivity Commission Report on Natural Disaster Funding Arrangements that the Commonwealth Government invests $200 million a year to begin reducing the cost of natural disasters. This needs to be matched by the states and territories to help bring the escalating costs of natural disasters under control.
“With inquiries into these flood events underway there will be no shortage of proposals to repair, raise, replace and relocate flooded houses and businesses, to provide appropriate flood levees, and to plan for new communities to be out of flood reach.
“All of these will require substantial investments, but the future savings in lives, and property and infrastructure losses will be enormous.”
Mr. Dinham said FMA also welcomed Labor’s commitment to cut red tape so disaster funding can get out the door faster, and to improve the efficiency of the disaster recovery process.
Floodplain Management Australia brings together experts from across Australia and overseas to help build a more flood resilient nation. Members include over 170 councils, catchment management authorities, government agencies, businesses, and professionals involved in urban and rural flood risk management.
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