JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
A joint agreement between the Australian and NSW Governments will see the construction of a multi-million dollar levee to protect Cessnock.
The signing of the agreement this week has unlocked $2.4 million in Federal funding from the National Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Program for the Cessnock Levee (Bund Wall) Project. The NSW Government is contributing the remaining $2.9 million to the flood mitigation project.
Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Senator the Hon. Bridget McKenzie said the Liberal and Nationals Government is investing in important flood mitigation projects to protect communities against the impacts of future floods.
“The delivery of this levee is a key part of our longer-term flood mitigation strategy that starts with more resilient communities,” Minister McKenzie said.
“This funding for the construction of a bund wall (levee) east of South Cessnock will help the community better prepare for and mitigate against future flood events.”
Senator Davey said flood mitigation and preparedness are priorities for the region.
“We had homes in South Cessnock inundated by floods in 1990, 2007 and 2015, with flooding in the area tracing back to the 1920s,” Senator Davey said.
“This crucial investment will not only reduce the impacts of future floods on residents, but have additional flow-on benefits including lower insurance costs and local job creation on work undertaken.”
Twenty-two flood mitigation infrastructure projects across all States and Territories have been supported under the National Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Program. The program is funded through the Emergency Response Fund which has provided a total of $50 million to date.
A second round of the National Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Program is now open to State and Territory Governments for applications.
further information at http://www.recovery.gov.au/programs/national-flood-mitigation-infrastructure-program-2020-21
[ENDS]