Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips has welcomed news that the Bushfire and Heatwave Haven Strategy will be delivered, helping the South Coast be better prepared for future natural disasters.

The Federal Government has announced $552,442 in funding from the Disaster Ready Fund will be used for the project which will help local communities to become more resilient with climate change bringing increasingly frequent and intense severe weather events.

The Bushfire and Heatwave Strategy will be delivered by the South Coast Health and Sustainability Alliance (SHASA) and will finalise a network of bushfire and heatwave emergency havens throughout the Eurobodalla region.

The network specifically targets vulnerable populations and complements the shire’s evacuation centres.

Six emergency havens located in Batemans Bay, Broulee, Narooma and Moruya will now be ready for service.

“I know how important these Havens are in the Eurobodalla - I’ve seen their great work in action supporting people," Phillips said.

“I’m really thrilled that this funding will help finalise the wonderful network of Havens in the Eurobodalla.

“I commend the South Coast Health and Sustainability Alliance for their ongoing advocacy and dedication to create Havens which supports our most vulnerable.”

The project, jointly funded by the NSW Reconstruction Authority contributing $32,000 and SHASA contributing $32,600, has also received cash and in-kind contributions from community organisations, including Broulee Surfers Surf Life Saving Club, The Tec Exec Pty Ltd and Narooma Men’s and Community Shed.

“The third round of Disaster Ready Fund investment builds on the work delivered by the Government to make Australia more resilient to natural hazards," Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said.

“Australians are no stranger to the floods, bushfires, and cyclones that impact them year-on-year – that’s why our government established the flagship Disaster Ready Fund, providing $1 billion over five years to projects such as this.

“Crucially, Round Three brings our investment to make Australia more resilient through the DRF to $600 million – and I’d like to thank many of the project proponents for matching our funding.”