A national flood warning network will be set up in a bid to better protect at-risk communities from natural disasters.
The federal government will spend $236 million (US$156 million) in the next decade to set up the network, with the Commonwealth to buy and upgrade flood gauges from local, state and territory governments.
It follows advice from independent inquiries set up following last year’s devastating flood season that the federal government assume responsibility for the flood gauge network, which has been previously described as patchwork.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said the upgrade to the network would give more accurate information on flood risks to communities as well as emergency services….