Sydney, May 23: FRRR and Charter Hall have announced the expansion of their partnership through a three-year agreement aimed at enhancing disaster preparedness and recovery efforts across remote, rural, and regional communities in Australia.
The initiative will see funding distributed via FRRR’s flagship Strengthening Rural Communities small grants program.
Charter Hall, a leading Australian property funds management group, initially collaborated with FRRR in 2020 to support medium to long-term recovery following the Black Summer bushfires.
This ongoing commitment has been instrumental in addressing the needs of communities affected by natural disasters.
Natalie Egleton, FRRR’s CEO, emphasized the importance of accessible funding for disaster preparedness, particularly as rural communities face increasing impacts from climate change.
“We’re grateful for this commitment from Charter Hall, as it means that there will be more funding to empower local communities to shape and lead their preparedness, disaster recovery, and resilience building projects in a way that makes the most sense in their community,” said Egleton.
“After decades of working alongside remote, rural, and regional communities, we know that no two are the same. Our small grants program has proven a critical source of funding, as it’s always open and ready when the time is right.
For some, it’s helped them purchase emergency equipment or upgrade the place of last refuge so it’s safe, accessible, and fit for purpose; for others, it’s supported a whole community planning process, while for others it’s enabled leadership and local capacity development.
“With Charter Hall’s support, we will be able to support more communities to be better able to respond to whatever comes their way. We also look forward to sharing the importance of this kind of support among their networks and colleagues,” Egleton added.
Natalie Devlin, Charter Hall’s Chief Experience Officer, highlighted the enduring impact of the partnership on communities.
“At Charter Hall, we have always focused on actively partnering for mutual success. Our approach to community investment is no different, focusing on creating lasting change by partnering where we can make the most difference to individuals and communities. We are pleased to be expanding our partnership with FRRR, ensuring relief and recovery solutions are funded in the community to deliver the greatest community benefit.
“Through this partnership, we will enable local people and organisations to shape and lead their disaster relief, recovery, and resilience building processes. Having worked with FRRR since 2020, we have seen first-hand the difference they can make through their local understanding and connection to grassroots organisations that often can’t access support otherwise,” Devlin stated.
Rural community groups and not-for-profit organisations interested in applying to the Prepare & Recover stream can find more information on FRRR’s website.
The first grants supported by Charter Hall’s funding were announced on 30 April 2024.
The grant recipients and their projects are listed below:
- Adventist Development and Relief Agency Australia Ltd
- Project: ADRA Wauchope Community Connect
- Summary: Support bushfire recovery by purchasing a food trailer to continue delivering a food service to vulnerable local residents.
- Location: Wauchope, NSW
- Grant Amount: $25,000
- Courabyra Public Hall Land Manager
- Project: Courabyra Hall Storage Infrastructure
- Summary: Contribute to bushfire preparedness and increase capacity to serve as a central resource hub by building new storage areas for food, perishables, and additional safety equipment.
- Location: Courabyra, NSW
- Grant Amount: $20,237
- Friends of Tenterfield Aerodrome Inc
- Project: Tenterfield Aerodrome Disaster Resilience Project
- Summary: Enhance bushfire preparedness by constructing a shed to store aerodrome maintenance and firefighting equipment.
- Location: Tenterfield, NSW
- Grant Amount: $10,000
- Narooma Surf Life Saving Club Inc
- Project: Video and Audio Conferencing System
- Summary: Enhance bushfire recovery and improve communication during emergencies with a new video and audio conference system.
- Location: Narooma, NSW
- Grant Amount: $1,500
- Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Council
- Project: Wujal Wujal Prepare and Recover Project
- Summary: Build preparedness for future climate-related disasters in a community impacted by Cyclone Jasper by purchasing emergency generators, lighting, portable cooking equipment, and swags.
- Location: Wujal Wujal, QLD
- Grant Amount: $25,000
- Freycinet Volunteer Marine Rescue Association Inc
- Project: PE-ER: Protective Equipment – Efficient Radio
- Summary: Support community safety and enhance organisational capacity during emergencies by upgrading communication equipment and protective clothing.
- Location: Swansea, TAS
- Grant Amount: $9,968
- St Helens Marine Rescue Association Incorporated
- Project: Marine Rescue Capability Extension
- Summary: Strengthen the capability of an emergency service and support the work of volunteers through the upgrade of telecommunication equipment and safety jackets.
- Location: St Helens, TAS
- Grant Amount: $7,260
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