National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared history and how we can work together for a better future. It’s a chance to respect and support First Nations peoples and their cultures.  

One important way we do this is by supporting Indigenous-led projects through the Disaster Ready Fund (DRF). These projects support First Nations peoples and communities by keeping culture strong and building stronger communities.  

Australia is seeing a change in weather, including hotter days, bigger bushfires and higher levels of rain and flooding. We know that First Nations peoples have a unique knowledge of Country. This knowledge helps communities prepare for dangerous weather and protect them from its impacts.  

Disaster ready funding for First Nations communities 

The Disaster Ready Fund (DRF) is providing up to one billion dollars to build disaster resilience. The DRF funds projects that protect communities from extreme weather.  

The projects can help: 

• make roads or airstrips better to mitigate against the impacts of flooding  
• build places to keep people safe on-Country if they have to leave their homes   
• help First Nations organisations work with communities to educate and develop emergency plans   
• help First Nations people care for their Country to protect cultural heritage  
• fund place-based First Nations controlled projects to keep people safe from dangerous weather.  

Under DRF Round Three projects led by First Nations organisations have a reduced co-contribution requirement of 10 per cent of the total project. 

Supporting First Nations peoples and communities

We are proud to support a number of First Nations projects under round one and two of the DRF  

Round One of the DRF has enabled First Nations projects including but not limited to:  

• The protection of Ngunnawal cultural sites in the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, ACT. $280,000 Commonwealth funding  
• Pre-construction work for a cyclone shelter in Palm Island, Queensland. Funding was awarded to undertake works including land surveys, geotechnical assessments, community engagement, architectural design and drawings, and cost estimates. $240,000 Commonwealth funding  
• Drone Monitoring of at-Risk Coastal Areas using Aboriginal Drone Operators to support better planning against extreme weather in the southwest of Western Australia. $125,690 Commonwealth funding  
• Sustainable Disaster Relief Food Solutions in the Northern Territory to coordinate the distribution of food to communities in the event of a disaster. $1,150,000 Commonwealth funding.