The Australian Government has established the Disaster Ready Fund (DRF). The DRF will provide up to one billion dollars over the next five years, from 2023-24 to help communities protect themselves against the impacts of natural hazards across Australia.
NTES is the lead agency coordinating the NT’s application under the $200 million DRF - Round One 2023-24. NTES are responsible for submitting applications for the DRF on behalf of the NT. Any government or non-government organisation can apply for funding if the proposed project delivers benefit to the community.
There will be no limit on the amount of funding projects can apply for, but applicants must contribute 50 percent of the total project cost in cash or in-kind.
Results from the Disaster Ready Fund - Round One
A total of 9 projects have been funded for the NT under Round One. Successful projects include enhancing communication for emergency management responses and increasing disaster resilience capacity and capability across the NT, with a particular focus on the provision of food relief for vulnerable people living in remote and isolated communities in times of disaster.
A list of all national funded projects can be found at Disaster Ready Fund - Round One | National Emergency Management Agency (nema.gov.au)
NTES has informed all proponents of projects recommended under the NT Application of the outcome of the Commonwealth assessment in writing and will establish funding arrangements with all proponents of funded projects. Funding is contingent on proponent co-contributions outlined and committed to in their submissions.
The Commonwealth has not yet announced a release date for Round Two of the Disaster Ready Fund which will become available from July 2024. Further guidance on the NT Application process will be publicly available on the NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services website, once the Australian Government announces Round Two.
Successful projects
- 2023-24
Project Title
Description
Funding
Enhanced Tri-service Communications in Regional & Remote Regions of the NT
This project will implement APX Next Generation radios across all regional and remote Police and Fire Stations in the NT to enhance communication capabilities.
Commonwealth Awarded
Co-contribution (from state/territory or project delivery partner)
Total Project Cost
$809,000
$809,000
$1,618,000
NT-wide flood data management and storage system
This project will support accessibility and useability of relevant and timely flood data to support critical decision-making.
Commonwealth Awarded
Co-contribution (from state/territory or project delivery partner)
Total Project Cost
$360,000
$360,000
$720,000
National Highway Network – Flood Resilience Assessment
Assess the current flood resilience of the Northern Territory National Highways under a range of flooding scenarios.
Commonwealth Awarded
Co-contribution (from state/territory or project delivery partner)
Total Project Cost
$1,000,000
$1,000,000
$2,000,000
Structural Monitoring of Darwin Buildings Under Earthquake Loading
The project will instrument a number of buildings in the city to monitor their response to large earthquakes in the region, to establish a real-world structural monitoring data set for Australia.
Commonwealth Awarded
Co-contribution (from state/territory or project delivery partner)
Total Project Cost
$150,000
$150,000
$300,000
NTES Volunteer Community Engagement Course
Development of a training package so that NT Emergency Service volunteers can attain relevant skills to deliver community engagement programs across the NT.
Commonwealth Awarded
Co-contribution (from state/territory or project delivery partner)
Total Project Cost
$108,000
$112,750
$220,750
Northern Territory Remote Aerodromes - Resilience Assessment
Assess the current resilience of 69 NT Government maintained remote aerodromes under a range of major disaster event scenarios.
Commonwealth Awarded
Co-contribution (from state/territory or project delivery partner)
Total Project Cost
$1,000,000
$1,000,000
$2,000,000
NT Flood Warning Systems communications upgrade project
This project will support the ongoing operation of the flood warning system to ensure monitoring sites have the latest communications technology to communicate with the alerting system.
Commonwealth Awarded
Co-contribution (from state/territory or project delivery partner)
Total Project Cost
$185,000
$190,000
$375,000
Sustainable Disaster Relief Food Solutions in Northern Australia
The Sustainable Disaster Relief Food Solutions in Northern Australia will provide regional and remote infrastructure (including a Katherine warehouse, Food Hubs and Food Lockers) to coordinate the efficient distribution of food to communities in the event of a natural disaster
Commonwealth Awarded
Co-contribution (from state/territory or project delivery partner)
Total Project Cost
$1,150,000
$1,150,000
$2,300,000
Trial Satellite Internet Across Tri-service Communications Network
This project will trial satellite internet technology across the tri-service communications network and connectivity with drones used to assess disaster sites to obtain critical incident information.
Commonwealth Awarded
Co-contribution (from state/territory or project delivery partner)
Total Project Cost
$140,000
$295,000
$435,000
Further information
For more information about the NT application for the Disaster Ready Fund – Round One please contact NTES at NTDRF@pfes.nt.gov.au
Download the frequently asked questions for Disaster Ready Fund Round One Outcomes