I am very disappointed to learn that the former NSW Government did not make any application to the Federal Government to secure funds for Hawkesbury or Blue Mountains projects under Round One of the Albanese Government’s new Disaster Ready Fund.

The regions that I represent should have been among the highest priorities for the previous NSW Government. As a community, we recognise the great need to make other parts of the state more disaster resilient, but the Hawkesbury remains the most flood-prone area, and the Blue Mountains will always be one of the most vulnerable bushfire areas in the country.

This first round of funding under the Disaster Ready Fund was only open to state governments. They were able to apply for everything from the construction of flood levees or fire breaks and bushfire warning systems, through to the updating or creation of local government hazard resilience strategies and supporting community sector organisations to develop systems, train staff or have materials in place prior to a natural hazard. Given the breadth of work required across the electorate of Macquarie, it is staggering that the Perrottet Government did not include a single Hawkesbury or Blue Mountains project in its application.

The Albanese Government is acutely aware of the threats and the need to better prepare for disaster and to mitigate disaster impacts, and we’ll work closely with the Minns Government to ensure that evidence-based decisions and investments are made for our region.

We have already committed in our first budget additional funding for the RFS and SES in the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury, which we expect to be delivered in the next few months, and to investing in the North Richmond Community Centre to support the disaster preparation and response for