Streetscape plans for Kilcoy, Lowood and Fernvale just got a lot cooler with a $2 million boost in funding from the Albanese Labor Government.

Somerset Regional Council was allocated $2.085 million under the Albanese Government’s flagship Disaster Ready Fund for mature tree planting as part of the Council’s heatwave mitigation works.

The $4.07 million co-funded project will see already planned beautification projects in Lowood, Kilcoy and Fernvale take shape over the next three years.

The Somerset streetscape project is part of almost $387 million for 164 projects through Round Two of the Disaster Ready Fund.

These projects will significantly reduce disaster risk and build long-term resilience in the face of increasing disasters, and are jointly funded with state, territory or local governments.

Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister said the Government was helping prepare and protect communities before disasters hit.

“Since 2022, half of all local government areas have experienced disaster, some of them more than once,” Senator McAllister said.

“We know that our climate is changing, and Australians can expect to experience more intense and more frequent natural disasters, which is why the Albanese Government is acting to prepare and protect communities from natural disasters and their impacts.

“By working with all levels of government to make significant investments in mitigation projects, we are reducing the risks and impacts Australians face during disasters. This means better outcomes for communities while reducing clean up and recovery costs.”

Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said Somerset residents had a high heatwave risk due to a high over-65 population and health indicators.

“The frequency and duration of heatwaves will increase as average summer temperatures increase from 24C to 27C plus by 2070,” Mr Neumann said.

“This project will reduce surface temperatures through planting 1,349 mature trees which will reduce long-term heatwave hospitalisation risks by 8% and fatalities by 4% (AEC).”

The first round of the Disaster Ready Fund saw $200 million in Commonwealth funding provided for 185 projects. These projects are now underway across the country.

This included $1 million for the $2 million co-funded Toogoolawah (Dingyarra Street) flood mitigation project, which is delivering drainage improvements that will mitigate flooding to impacted local properties.

The Round Two funding will support projects in every state and territory, with a full list available here: https://nema.gov.au/disaster-ready-fund