Albanese Government helps local communities prepare for drier times

The Albanese Government is delivering $1.3 million in funding through the Future Drought Fund to support rural, regional and remote communities across Australia better prepare for drought.

The Small Network Grants Round 2 will support 46 projects to host events, training initiatives, build networks, and develop infrastructure to make it easier for communities to manage drought conditions.

Broken Hill Community FM Association Inc in New South Wales will receive funding for a back-up power source to continue radio broadcasts during power outages, and drought proof their Menindee site.

Katherine Town Council in the Northern Territory will use their funding to hold professionally facilitated mental health workshops and three months of online sessions to give women the tools they need during tough times like drought.

South Myall Catchment Landcare Group Inc in Toowoomba, Queensland will deliver workshops to improve knowledge and understanding so landholders are better insulated for drought.

A full list of projects is available here.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt emphasised the importance of the grants to help communities prepare for the impacts of future droughts.  

"The Albanese Government is allocating further funding towards drought resilience to help strengthen and safeguard rural, regional and remote communities around the country,” Minister Watt said.

“Unfortunately, drought and other natural disasters are a harsh reality for many of the communities that depend on local agriculture, and it has the potential to cause long-term damage.

"While preparation is a key component of the farming industry, the impacts of drought on these communities, including the mental challenges that follow, can be difficult to manage without necessary support.

“The more we do to help communities better prepare for drought beforehand, the more ready and resilient they’ll be. These projects will help communities with the resources they need to come together and connect, train in first aid or farming practices, protect and drought proof their environment or infrastructure, and provide essential mental health support.

“In the first grant round in March this year, $737,774 was awarded to 29 projects. It’s great continue this important work.”

The Small Network Grants Round 2 is part of the Future Drought Fund’s Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative, which will provide up to $30 million in funding to June 2025. This program is being delivered in partnership with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.

As part of this year’s budget that allocated $519.1 million to the Future Drought Fund, a further $36 million over 4 years will be spent to continue delivering programs that build social resilience in agriculture-dependent communities.
 

For more information, visit: https://frrr.org.au/funding/disaster-resilience-and-climate-solutions/small-networks-grants/