NATURAL DISASTER RESILIENCE PROGRAM

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (15:01): My question is directed to the Minister for Emergency Services. Minister, can you outline ways in which communities can seek funding to boost their resilience to natural disasters?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (15:02): I thank the member for Ashford for this question and acknowledge her constant efforts in helping to keep her community aware of what they need to do if an emergency unfolds. Extreme events such as heatwaves, bushfires and flooding are realities South Australian communities grapple with on an ongoing basis. To assist in building resilience, $3 million in grants is now available as part of the Natural Disaster Resilience Program.

State and local government agencies, not-for-profit organisations, volunteer groups and associations, as well as research institutions, are all encouraged to apply for this year's funding. Since 2009 the Natural Disaster Resilience Program has provided $8.6 million in funding to local organisations for 136 projects. When in-kind support is factored in by the many groups applying for grants, this will take the total spend since 2009 to well beyond $11.6 million.

In the last round, 49 projects shared in $2.85 million of funding. Of these 18 had a focus on bushfire preparedness, while the other 31 engaged in preparations for other natural disasters and volunteer support projects. This included $30,600 for the Aboriginal Lands Trust to lessen the impact a fire could have on Wanilla Forest. This included establishing firebreaks, widening existing fire tracks and increasing the internal refuge zone.

The Royal District Nursing Society was allocated in excess of $65,000 in 2010-11 to study and plan for extreme heat events in South Australia. Smaller amounts of money were also awarded; for example, the Wattle Range Council received funding to establish bushfire set backs and fire tracks for Emergency Services vehicles surrounding Kangaroo Inn Area School, and the Pines Community Association was also awarded funding for a fire water tank.

By working in partnership with a number of respected groups, these grants can help build a better understanding of our emergency risks and establish a shared understanding of how we can prepare to protect our loved ones, our homes, businesses and our communities. Applications for this round close on 22 June, and more information is available on the SAFECOM website, www.safecom.sa.gov.au.

I am sure members present would agree that, whilst the fire danger season has subsided, as with any other natural disaster we face it is only a matter of months or even weeks before we face the threat again. Arguably complacency is our biggest challenge and I would like to thank the many groups who have developed proposals for a Natural Disaster Resilience grant. This program is making our state better prepared for the challenges ahead.