Flood Mitigation Grants Up For Grabs

BY MATT JOHNSTON.

Hunter councils are being urged to apply for grants under the state government's 2018 Floodplain Management Program.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald, said just because it's dry at the moment, doesn't mean we should be complacent.

The 2018 Floodplain Management Program is accepting submissions until April 27th to install flood-safety measures or buy back at-risk properties.

The program doubles investments put towards flood studies, risk management studies, and works such as levees and floodgates.

Scot MacDonald says it would be a wise investment from councils affected by floods to look into the program.

Last year nearly $9-million-dollars in grants were awarded to fund flood mitigation studies and structural works across the state under the program.

Cessnock Receives Flood Protection Funding

BY GRACE LANCASTER

The New South Wales Government is providing Cessnock City Council with $226,666 worth of funding to respond effectively to local flood emergencies.

This Floodplain Management's grant introduces three different warning system projects, designed to provide early alerts to property owners, warning residents and local emergency services in the area.

Cessnock City Mayor, Councillor Bob Pynsent welcomed the grant, believing it to be a much-needed boost to these local communities.

"These projects will go a long way to improving services and building resilience in communities of Cessnock, Abermain, Weston and Wollombi and more importantly, to reduce the personal risk of being caught in or isolated by flood water", he said.

Parliamentary Secretary for The Hunter, Scot MacDonald says the programs will complement initiatives already undertaken by the local community. 

"It starts right at the beginning from personal responsibility and personal resilience and making your property disaster ready if you like...and we, of course, can do our bit with things like this floodplain management", he said. 

Image: news.com.au