MIXED RESPONSE TO ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF NATURAL DISASTER MITIGATION PROGRAM
May 13, 2008
The President of the Australian Local Government Association, Cr Paul Bell, welcomed the Federal Government's decision to extend the funding for the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program (NDMP) beyond 30 June 2008 but said he was baffled by the decision to extend the program for only a single year.
"Natural Disasters cost Australia well in excess of $1 billion per annum and investment in mitigation measures is extremely cost effective in helping communities to cope," Cr Bell said. Under the Budget announcement, the NDMP will receive a one-year extension of funding of $19.2m.
"There is increasing exposure to more severe storms and bushfires as a result of climate change and local government has been pressing over the past year for renewal of this program," he said. "The impact of the floods earlier this year in central Queensland, which affected many communities including my own at Emerald, would have been much worse without investment in mitigation measures such as flood levees and house relocations."
"The program was originally introduced as a recommendation of a report to the Council of Australian Governments in 2002 and involves a partnership approach to mitigation with funding provided by Federal, state and local government. The mitigation projects funded are often implemented over a number of years and to extend funding by just a single year, while welcome, will create uncertainty in councils about future mitigation works."
"The Government made a commitment in Opposition that it would update and improve the Disaster Mitigation Australia Package, particularly in the face of the challenges posed by climate change. The mainstay of the Disaster Mitigation Australia Package is the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program and it is unclear after tonight's announcement what Government intends for the Program. ALGA will seek the reasons behind the Government's decision and details of any future plans it may have for the Natural Disaster Mitigation Program over the coming weeks."
- Contact
- Cr Paul Bell, ALGA President – 0418 791596
- Amanda Lynch, Director, Government Relations/Public Affairs - 0419 123 862 / 02 6122 9434
