with Susan Templeman MP

In the Hawkesbury we ’ ve felt the impact of natural disasters firsthand . For years , our community has been crying out for support to prevent and reduce the impact of natural disasters .

It ’ s why I am so proud that the Albanese Government has passed a law for the Disaster Ready Fund – which will

provide up to $ 200 million per year to invest in mitigation projects like flood levees , cyclone shelters , fire breaks and evacuation centres around Australia .

This has been a priority for me locally , and the Prime Minister has seen the need firsthand when he ’ s visited us during fires and floods .

It means we can now do things to reduce the impact of a disaster before

it happens – so this legislation will save lives , homes and protect our community . It is also a sensible economic investment .

We also know that investing in disaster resilience and mitigation measures is the most reliable way to bring down insurance premiums . Our Government is doing what it can to bring down insurance premiums and we expect the insurance industry to fulfil their end

of the bargain .

Our commitment to better invest in disaster risk reduction with this billiondollar fund means we can back projects that curb the devastating impacts of natural disasters .

The first round of the Disaster Ready Fund is set to open in early 2023 to help communities better prepare for future disasters .

with Robyn Preston MP

Community sport clubs and organisations across Hawkesbury can now apply for up to $ 9,000 to access lifesaving defibrillators , as part of the NSW Government ’ s Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program .

Medical experts say the first eight minutes following a cardiac arrest are critical , so early access to CPR and a defibrillator are essential to increasing a patient ’ s likelihood of survival . This funding will enable our local sporting organisations and council to install these defibrillators so they are equipped to respond to lifethreating emergencies .

I encourage all our sporting clubs to

apply for these grants that will help prevent the trauma and the heartache that cardiac arrest can cause families .

The Local Sports Defibrillator Program is available to sport and recreation clubs , associations and organisations as well as councils and service clubs . Up to $ 3,000 is available per device with organisations able to apply for up to three devices valued at $ 9,000 .

Applications are open and close Friday , 10 February 2023 . For more information on the Program , visit : https :// sport . nsw . gov . au . $ 50,000 Flood Recovery grants Flood-affected small business owners and not-for-profits can apply for $ 50,000 grants to help with immediate clean-up and recovery costs . There is still a long

road to recovery ahead for Hawkesbury businesses and not-for-profits and this grant is about ensuring they can get back on their feet sooner .

The impact of the flooding has been devastating and these grants will provide small business owners and not-for-profits with much-needed cash flow to recover and get back to serving their customers and their community .

Businesses can apply for the ‘ Disaster Recovery Small Business Grant – Storms & Floods August and September 2022 Onwards ’ now via the Service NSW website . Customers can also call Service NSW on 13 77 88 , register for a call back from a Business Concierge or visit their local Recovery Centre should they require

further assistance . The Disaster Recovery Small Business Grant fund is in addition to the $ 75,000 Primary Producer Grant , $ 10,000 Rural Landholder Grant and a range of other assistance available to natural disaster declared council areas , jointly funded by the NSW and Commonwealth governments .

I encourage all small business owners and not-for-profits in the Hawkesbury who have been affected by the floods to apply for the available $ 50,000 grants to help get back on our feet sooner .

For more information , visit : www . service . nsw . gov . au / transaction / applydisaster-recovery-smallbusiness-grantstorms-floods-august-september-2022- onwards .