In partnership with Suncorp Insurance, FRRR provides $316,822 in grants to support disaster-affected communities in recovering and considering future preparedness and prevention solutions.
The funding, which is through the Rebuilding Futures grant program, seeks to support communities affected by disaster events between 2019 and 2024 to strengthen their resilience to significant disasters by undertaking a wide range of medium to long-term community-led projects for community benefit.
The program encourages communities to build back better to reduce the impact of future disasters on community wellbeing and physical infrastructure.
This is the first round to offer two streams of funding. The first stream will see more than $227,000 shared between 14 projects that focus predominantly on building knowledge and skills or investing in critical equipment and infrastructure.
Some of the projects funded through Stream 1 across remote, rural and regional NSW, VIC, SA and WA include:
- A one-day event, with a series of practical training such as using a UHF, sandbagging, chainsaw safety and information about flood-resilient home retrofitting, solar energy and regenerative design, which will build confidence in the community and create a culture of flood preparedness in Main Arm, NSW
- Empowering the community of Brukunga, SA, with practical fire resilience solutions, creating a safe and welcoming public space, and enhancing the town’s connection to its fire-prone landscape, while promoting recovery and preparedness
- A series of disaster preparedness workshops, emergency planning and development of resources for local sports clubs in VIC’s Goulburn Valley to build knowledge, increase awareness of local risks and share critical information to be better prepared for disaster events
- A mural celebrating local first responders in Pingelly, WA, which will encourage and engage new volunteers
Nina O’Brien, FRRR Disaster Resilience and Recovery Lead, said these projects are strong examples of the different ways that community groups are building their preparedness for disasters and highlight the ongoing need to support recovering communities.
“The thing that really jumps out for me is how these projects reflect each community’s unique context and their future thinking on responding to challenges with support that connects and equips their communities with skills, knowledge and resources. That’s why this kind of flexible funding is so important, as it means community groups can tackle issues identified and prioritised on a local level. We are grateful to Suncorp for recognising the importance of providing this type of funding, as needs emerge and evolve over time,” O’Brien said.
Lisa Harrison, Suncorp Chief Executive, Consumer Insurance, said Suncorp was proud to join FRRR once again to help support community-led resilience.
“As we’ve seen over the past few years, these grants make a real difference to the lives and livelihoods of communities impacted by disaster,” Harrison said. “The diverse range of projects funded reinforces the need for this program and underscores its broad effectiveness. Grassroots organisations do such important work to build resilience and disaster preparedness in their communities. We’re proud to support them to recover faster and be better prepared for future extreme weather events, ensuring funding reaches the groups and services that really need it.”
A further three projects will receive both funding and expert resilient building advice through the program’s second stream. This is intended to help community organisations upgrade small-scale, community-owned infrastructure to better withstand the impacts of future disasters through the provision of improved skills, knowledge and connection to expertise. These projects will share a funding of nearly $150,000.
The Ellendale Community Hall in Tasmania will receive $49,000 through Stream 2 funding to enhance its infrastructure so it can better support the community during emergencies such as bushfires, storms and floods. This will see upgrades to internet access, laundry and bathroom facilities, bedding, weatherproofing and insulation, and freezer purchase.
O’Brien said this approach is designed to encourage communities to build with resilience in mind, using the latest advice, technology and materials.
“Facilities like the Ellendale Hall are critical community infrastructure, and they need to be fit-for-purpose, sustainable and resilient. We’re excited to provide grants to enable these improvements, and we hope to share learnings for other communities across remote, rural and regional Australia,” she said.
Read also: FRRR grants over $1M to rural groups to strengthen communities
Geraldine is currently the Content Producer for Third Sector, an Akolade channel. Throughout her career, she has written for various industries and international audiences. Her love for writing extends beyond the corporate world, as she also works as a volunteer writer at her local church. Aside from writing, she is also fond of joining fun runs and watching musicals.
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