The Disaster Ready Fund’s third round of grants will provide almost $350 million for 96 projects including flood levees, with federal resourcing lifted by state and territory contributions.

The federal government has committed $200 million a year over five years for resilience projects, designing the scheme so co-contributions increase total spending.

In the latest round, more than $138 million will be invested in 41 infrastructure projects, with construction starting immediately.

“Round three will benefit all 538 local government areas across all states and territories, from cyclone shelters on Palm Island to flood mitigation planning for Launceston,” Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain said.

Combined allocations include $18.2 million for Wagga Wagga levee works; $17.7 million for a stormwater system upgrade in Narrandera in NSW; $12.9 million for levees at Numurkah in Victoria; $10.5 million for a coast road upgrade near Gladstone in Queensland; and $7.6 million for a Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley resilient homes and preparedness program.

“We’re really heavily focused on working with local communities, so the projects can be driven from the ground up and people’s lived experience can be taken into account,” Ms McBain told Sky News 

IAG CEO Nick Hawkins says the funding provided by all levels of government will help to prepare and protect vulnerable communities.

“Mitigating against the impacts of climate change must continue to be a priority for Australia and [the] announcement is another important step forward,” he said.

The Insurance Council of Australia has called for the five-year fund to become a rolling commitment and says a separate $30.15 billion 10-year program involving the federal, Queensland, NSW and Victorian governments is required to target flooding.  

The Disaster Ready Fund round includes $11.17 million for a tool kit supporting school communities’ wellbeing before, during and after disasters.

A project to mitigate storm pollen risks by improving the bioaerosol monitoring network will receive $8.9 million, and $1.5 million is provided for a NSW Central Coast bushfire risk analysis.

Work to create an earthquake model for Victoria – aiming to reduce water, energy and transportation infrastructure risks, with a focus on the Latrobe Valley region – will receive a $765,456 federal contribution toward a total cost of $11.16 million.

The full list of projects is here.