Over $16 million will be spent in New South Wales on projects to deal with flood risks throughout the state.

The money will go to councils and other government authorities to help avoid the devastation that comes with flood events.

The funds will pay for 51 projects designed to protect communities from the impacts of natural disasters.

The money comes from the Floodplain Management Program and the Flood Plain Risk Management Grant Scheme.

New South Wales Minister for Environment, Rob Stokes, says flooding in NSW costs more than $200 million every year.

Those losses do not take into account the emotional toll that floods have on communities.

“The NSW Government’s Floodplain Management Program aims to reduce the impact of flooding on communities and to reduce public and private losses that can occur,” Mr Stokes said.

“The program provides funds to councils and other authorities to prepare and implement floodplain risk management plans to reduce flood risks to existing and future development.”

Federal Justice Minister, Michael Keenan, said natural hazards were a fact of life in Australia, but more can be done to reduce the toll.

“Natural disasters, such as flooding, have an enormous impact on our economy and can cripple businesses and communities, and projects funded under the Natural Disaster Resilience Program will help everyone be better prepared,” Mr Keenan said.

More detail on the various programs can be found here.