Federal Member for Nicholls, Sam Birrell MP, says $3.5 million in initial funding delivered to Nicholls through Australian Government’s Disaster Ready Fund (DRF) will help pave the way for bigger projects to build flood resilience across the region.

The DRF is providing up to one billion dollars over the next five years to improve Australia’s resilience
and reduce risk to natural disasters.

“In October last year the region was hit by unprecedented flooding and while communities are still
recovering, work has already started on identifying works that could be done to mitigate future
floods, particularly around Rochester,” Mr Birrell said.

“Every flood is different, and funding in the first round of the DRF will help Councils and communities
better understand what occurred and build a foundation of knowledge for developing projects to
protect communities and critical infrastructure.”

“I continue to have regular discussions with government ministers about what will be required to
better protect our communities in future,” he said.

Campaspe Shire Council received a grant of $1,087,440 for its Flood Review & Mitigation Project to
increase both the Council’s and community’s capacity to prepare for, and respond to, future floodrelated disasters.

As part of the review, a Flood Risk Management Plan will identify, evaluate, and recommend options
for mitigation works.

“Part of the project is the purchase of demountable barriers to protect key community facilities in Rochester rendered in operable by the October 2022 flood,” Mr Birrell said.

“In Echuca the funding will achieve functional designs for the Stage 2 levees and works to maintain
road access that was completely cut by floodwaters.”

A broader project that includes the local government areas of Campaspe, Greater Shepparton, Moira,
Benalla, and Mitchell will document current flooding inadequacies in road infrastructure.

“In order to seek funding in future rounds we first have to understand the problems and the best
solutions to put forward,” Mr Birrell said.

“The work from this funding round will inform bids for more significant funding in future rounds.”
Also funded in the first round is $112,500 for the Numurkah Flood Mitigation Project – Stage 2

Southern Levee Design; $232,500 for Shepparton Mooroopna Flood Intelligence Mapping; $150,000
for a Flash Flooding and Storm Surges Strategy for Strathbogie Shire; and $1,835,701 to strengthen
disaster resilience in Campaspe and Yarra Ranges communities.