Five key projects funded to strengthen Northern Territory's natural disaster defences

Remote communities across the Northern Territory will receive critical disaster protection through a $1.74 million federal investment to defend against floods, fires and cyclones.

Five projects have won federal funding to help make the NT more resilient to floods, fires, cyclones and other natural disasters.

Five projects will share in $1.74 million of federal funding to help make the Northern Territory more resilient to natural disasters.

Among the projects, an Emergency Coordination Facility will be developed for the Alice Springs Town Council with $594,000, enhancing local disaster response capabilities.

About $222,000 will go to managing flood risk in Yuendumu, involving a detailed survey and the design of stormwater management infrastructure.

An embedded meteorologist will be placed in the Northern Territory to assist risk management, backed by $495,000, and $151,000 will go to the Laynhapuy Disaster Management Framework to build capacity for Yolngu-led disaster preparedness.

Lastly, $260,000 will go towards helping the often flood-affected Nitjpurru (Pigeon Hole) community relocate to safer ground.

The investment comes as part of round three of the national $1 billion Disaster Ready Fund.

Funding of $662,564 has also been committed by partners bringing the total combined Territory spend to $2.4 million.

“Territorians are no stranger to floods, bushfires, and cyclones – that’s why we established the flagship Disaster Ready Fund,” federal Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain said.

“Round three will benefit 18 local government areas in the Northern Territory to support territory and local authorities including non-government organisations to protect themselves and their communities.”

NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the projects would help give local communities the “tools, infrastructure, and technology they need to respond to and recover from natural disasters more effectively”.

“Territorians know the importance of being prepared, and this investment is about strengthening our resilience and ensuring we have the capability to face future disasters with confidence.”

Originally published as Five key projects funded to strengthen Northern Territory's natural disaster defences