Fifteen organisations across the electorate of Durack will share in $15.4 million to deliver local projects aimed at building their community’s resilience to natural disasters.
The design and construction of a sea wall, natural disaster awareness materials for indigenous communities and new coastal protection measures on Cable Beach are among projects that have received funding from the Morrison Government under the Preparing Australian Communities – Local Stream program.
Federal Member for Durack Melissa Price said the projects would help reduce the risk and minimise the impact of natural disasters like floods, bushfires and cyclones in the communities.
“Across Durack, our local Shires and community groups are already doing incredible work to plan for and respond to natural disasters,” Minister Price said.
“We know local groups are best placed to understand the unique needs of each community and we want to support them in their endeavours.
“That’s why this funding will go where these groups have told us it is needed to improve resilience and empower local communities.”
The Shire of Broome was one of 19 groups in WA that shared in $19.1 million from the Morrison Government.
Shire of Broome President Harold Tracey said the money would enable important coastal protection work to occur to safeguard Cable Beach from erosion.
“Cable Beach is a world-class tourism attraction and is loved by our Broome community,” Cr Tracey said.
“However, the Cable Beach foreshore is in desperate need of revitalisation to protect it from future erosion, while the surrounding amenities need to be upgraded and improved.
“This grant funding will play a critical role in helping the Shire realise our vision for the Cable Beach precinct and ensure it remains one of the most iconic public spaces in Western Australia.”
In Onslow, the Shire of Ashburton is pleased to have secured a $5 million grant.
Shire of Ashburton President Kerry White said the money will be used to protect the Onslow community from the threat of rising sea levels and increasing cyclone activity.
“We have already commenced a 120-metre seawall extension in front of the town’s ANZAC Memorial Park area and with this grant we will now be able to extend the Onslow seawall by 720 metres, protecting the townsite to the east,” Cr White said.
“This will shield the town and our infrastructure well into the future as well as protecting Onslow Hospital, Bindi Bindi Aboriginal Community, parks, beaches and areas of environmental sensitivity in addition to activating future locations for economic, social and tourism opportunities”.
In total, 158 projects across Australia received about $150 million under the Preparing Australian Communities – Local Stream program.
For more information and a full list of the funded projects visit: https://recovery.gov.au/disaster- risk-reduction/preparing-australia-program
The applicants and projects that have been supported with funding in the electorate of Durack are:
Northern Agricultural Catchments Council Incorporated
In the wake of the storm - Environmental Recovery and Preparedness
$375,666.00
Shire Of Broome
Cable Beach (Walmanyjun) Coastal Protection Project
$3,850,000.00
Shire Of Irwin
Refurbishment & upgrade of Emergency Welfare Centre Roof
$99,000.00
City Of Karratha
Survey and assessment of tree resilience to cyclones.
$72,931.00
Shire Of Carnamah
Kickstart Emergency Connectivity
$99,900.00
Shire Of Carnarvon
Improving Flood Preparedness
$1,390,772.00
Shire Of Shark Bay
Improving community awareness, recovery and resilience to tropical cyclones
$36,323.00
Shire Of Exmouth
Upgrade Tantabiddi Creek Crossing
$95,000.00
Shire Of Perenjori
The Perenjori Evacuation Centre Cyclone Upgrades
$93,500.00
Shire Of Wyndham East Kimberley
Feasibility Study - Community Resilience and Business Case
$292,500.00
Shire Of Ashburton
Onslow Seawall Extension
$5,000,000.00
Shire Of Coorow
Coorow Power's On Evacuations and Communication
$99,500.00
Town Of Port Hedland
Sutherland Street Seawall
$3,701,000.00
Planergy Productions Pty Ltd (in WA and the NT)
Indigenous Natural Disaster Awareness Campaign
$142,844.00
Mirima Council Aboriginal Corporation
(in WA and the NT)
Creating disaster awareness and resilience in multilingual communities
$75,029.00
TOTAL
$15,423,965.00
Media contact – Kasey Ellison, 0429 378 440