The Nationals in Government are investing more than $6 million towards an $8.2 million project which will help prevent flood events in Young.
The Young Trunk Drainage Upgrade involves the demolition of a section of existing 1500mm culvert, construction of a 4×1.6m concrete channel, construction of twin 1500mm culverts, and connection to existing minor drainage networks in the town.
Federal Nationals Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said the National Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Program was about preparing and protecting local communities from future flood events.
“I am delighted that this significant investment from the Federal Government is going to help prevent stormwater flooding events in Young,” Mr McCormack said.
“This funding has been allocated through Round 2 of the National Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Program and continues the Federal Government’s commitment to further project communities, residents and businesses from disasters in an increasingly volatile natural environment.”
Hilltops Regional Council Mayor, Councillor Margaret Roles, said that with growth of Young the existing ageing network of stormwater drainage was unable to cope with recent emerging weather events.
“The proposed improved network of drainage will help mitigate this situation,” Councillor Roles said.
“All businesses will benefit by having increased protection from future flood risk.”
A Technical Advisory Panel comprised of experts from CSIRO, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and the Australian Climate Service conducted a technical review of applications against the criteria of the relative flood risk and flood mitigation impact of each project and the impact of the project on reducing exposure to flood risks that influence insurability of existing flood mitigation infrastructure.
Following this review, the Program Review Panel comprised of representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, the BOM and the National Recovery and Resilience Agency (Chair) assessed, rated and ranked programs against the Program Guidelines and Assessment Criteria.
Eligible projects were then endorsed by the Co-ordinator-General of the National Recovery and Resilience Agency.
This funding is made possible through the Government’s $4 billion Emergency Response Fund, established in December 2019. Under the legislation, $50 million is available each year to assist communities to build resilience activities and prepare for natural disasters.
This National Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Program funding is in additional to the $150 million from the Emergency Response Fund announced recently to support further recovery and post-disaster resilience activities in flood affected areas in New South Wales and Queensland.
For further information on the National Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Program, visit https://recovery.gov.au/national-flood-mitigation-infrastructure-program-21-22
