ADDITIONAL $1.7 MILLION IN FUNDING TO MANAGE FLOOD RISK

Minister for Justice Michael Keenan and NSW Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant today announced an additional $1.7 million in funding for NSW councils to better understand and manage their flood risks.

Minister Keenan said the funding was being provided under the Floodplain Grants Scheme, one of a suite of programs jointly funded by the Commonwealth and NSW through the National Partnership Agreement on National Disaster Resilience.

"Natural disasters, such as flooding, have an enormous impact on our economy and can cripple businesses and communities, so we need to do everything we can to be prepared," Mr Keenan said.

"In August, we provided $5.9 million for 28 projects through this scheme and this additional funding will support a further eight projects to enable councils to make informed decisions on the best way to invest in flood mitigation and better manage the risk posed by floods."

Minister Grant said projects supported through this funding range from flood studies through to the construction of flood mitigation infrastructure, such as detention basins, levees, crossings, floodgates and flood warning systems.

"Flood-affected communities can take a long time to recover, and we are here to support them in that process. However, we must ensure flood-prone areas are as prepared as possible for upcoming storm seasons," Mr Grant said.

"Giving local councils funding to further investigate flood risks and build flooding mitigation infrastructure helps to minimises the impacts of future events."

This funding will join an additional $7.08 million for further flood mitigation projects to councils funded through the State Floodplain Management Program.

A full list of projects will be available on the Office of Environment and Heritage website. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/coasts/Floodgrants.htm