The Disaster Ready Fund’s fourth round of grants will support 14 NSW projects and seven in the ACT, with combined federal and local investments across the two regions topping $100 million.

The fourth round will deliver up to $142.5 million of federal funding nationwide, supplemented by partner contributions. Allocation announcements are being rolled out over several weeks.

The federal government said yesterday it will contribute $37 million for NSW projects, complemented by nearly $44.9 million of state and local funding, bringing the total to nearly $81.9 million.

Projects support flood mitigation in Lismore and Tamworth, earthquake resilience in the Hunter region, Wollongong foreshore protection work, improving Greater Sydney heatwave preparedness and First Nations-led disaster preparedness in the Northern Rivers area.

Funding is also provided to deliver an upgraded Australian fire danger rating system that aims to provider more reliable information and clearer guidance.

In the ACT, the federal government said last week it will contribute $11.7 million, with a further $18.4 million from territory and project partners, bringing the total to more than $30 million.

Funding includes establishing SmokeBench, which will create Australia’s first national capability for independently evaluating camera-based bushfire detection technologies while enhancing smoke intelligence from camera networks.

The federal government has committed to $1 billion of funding over five years, boosted by state and territory contributions.

Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain says the projects will deliver practical benefits that reduce risk and make communities safer.

“The Disaster Ready Fund is about getting ahead of disasters by investing in mitigation and resilience now, so communities are better protected into the future,” she said.

Last month, the government announced fourth-round projects in Victoria and Queensland, Details are still to come for other jurisdictions.