Fed: NSW misses out on disaster prevention funding

AAP General News (Australia)
08-09-2000
Fed: NSW misses out on disaster prevention funding

New South Wales has missed out on its share of more than $2 million in federal funding
to help communities plan for natural disasters, after failing to help shoulder the cost.

Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT have
received between $40,000 and almost $1 million each for local disaster management projects
this year.

The federal government funds up to a third of the cost of individual projects which
identify and address the risks of natural disasters in specific areas.

But New South Wales this year missed out on money in both the first and second rounds
of funding after it failed to lodge any applications.

A spokeswoman for state Emergency Services Minister BOB DEBUS says the timing has simply
been wrong to take up the commonwealth's offer.

State Opposition Leader KERRY CHIKAROVSKI says at least two councils -- Pittwater on
Sydney's northern beaches and Shoalhaven on the south coast -- were keen to participate
in the program.

But she says both councils have been told that the state government is not contributing
to the program.

AAP RTV kmh/mfh/nf/jn

KEYWORD: EMERGENCY (CANBERRA)

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