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Media Release - Minister's Office Sydney: 16 February 2005 MINISTER ANNOUNCES $6.84 MILLION FOR FLOOD MANAGEMENT Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, Craig Knowles, today announced offers of $6.84 million in grants to assist local councils undertake floodplain management projects. “The funds can be used by councils to undertake works such as building and maintenance of levees and detention basins, and the voluntary purchase of properties in areas at high risk of flooding. “The NSW Government through its Floodplain Management Program, the Commonwealth Government through its Regional Flood Mitigation Program, and local councils each contribute a third of the cost to the projects,” Mr Knowles said. The Floodplain Management Program is a key component in the NSW Government’s Flood Prone Land Policy managed by the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources. The program aims to provide appropriate levels of flood protection to existing and future development through structural and non-structural flood mitigation strategies. "In the past five years the NSW Government has allocated $17.5 million dollars to councils under this program," Mr Knowles said. “This year we are offering grants to 21 local councils for 28 projects across the State. “The NSW Government through the Floodplain Management Program supports councils in their bid to involve and educate the local community about future floodplain management, flood emergency procedures and the dangers posed by living on flood-prone land. “This is a continuing program which recognises the severe emotional and economic losses people and communities suffer as a result of floods. “The funding demonstrates the NSW Government’s commitment to reducing the impact of flooding to communities throughout the state.”   Top of Page List of Media Releases © NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources