The federal government has announced the Victorian and Queensland projects that will receive support under the Disaster Ready Fund’s fourth round, which will allocate $142.5 million nationally.

In Victoria, the federal government will provide $17.7 million, and state and project partners will contribute $19.1 million.

Funding will go to seven infrastructure projects and three resilience and risk reduction initiatives. The programs include levees in Epsom to help protect more than 500 homes and 60 businesses, and a levee in Rochester.

Victoria is also leading a $1 million project to share emergency information and deliver joint training between northeast Victoria and southern NSW.

In Queensland, the federal contribution of $24.5 million will be supplemented by state and local funds totalling $13.3 million, with 14 projects supported. These include a levee rehabilitation in Cloncurry, a Proserpine River catchment study, and a 125-metre sea wall on the Fraser Coast.

The National Emergency Management Agency says announcements for other states and territories will follow in coming weeks.

“The Disaster Ready Fund is about backing local solutions to local risks, while ensuring communities have the support they need to face future challenges with confidence,” federal Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain said.

The federal government has committed $1 billion across five years under the program, which is linked to states putting forward proposals and making contributions.

The Insurance Council of Australia says investing in hard infrastructure such as levees is the most effective way to drive down risk and pressure on premiums.

See project details here.