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 and submitting applications for the DRF on behalf on 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.
Disaster Ready Fund - Round Three 2025-26 - calling for Expressions of Interest
Round Three is expected to open for applications in early 2025, in line with timeframes established by the Australian Government.
Round Three DRF Guidelines are anticipated to be released in late 2024 to early 2025, prior to the application period opening.
The Northern Territory is calling for Expressions of Interest prior to the opening of the Application period, to develop projects for the Round Three Program.
The Expression of Interest is not Mandatory and applicants can still apply for Round Three directly when the Australian Government Application period opens in early 2025. The EOI period will remain open until the Application period opens.
Please find below the EOI Form to assist you in lodging your interest for the program with the Northern Territory:
For more information about the Disaster Ready Fund please contact NTES via email at NTDRF@pfes.nt.gov.au
Results from the Disaster Ready Fund - Round two 2024-25
The Northern Territory was successful in Round Two with a total program of $32.4 million. The successful projects are:
1. Increasing community resilience, adaptive capacity and preparedness through trauma care workshops for emergency first responders - Care Flight.
2. Managing Fire Risk in the Central Desert Regional Council Region - Central Desert Regional Council
3. Nhulunbuy Community Cyclone Shelter - NT Department of Logistics and Infrastructure
4. Waste for Disasters: Planning to reduce impact and build capacity in the Macdonnell and Victoria Daly regions - Charles Darwin University
The list of all national projects for Round Two can be found at Disaster Ready Fund | NEMA
All jurisdictions are awaiting completion of the Federal Funding Agreements with the Australian Government before Round Two projects commence in 2025.
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 | NEMA
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.
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