Western Australian communities devastated by Severe Tropical Cyclone Seroja will receive $104.5 million, the largest disaster recovery package in the state’s history.
Jointly funded by the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), the package will support disaster affected communities in 16 local government areas.
Prime Minister, Scott Morrison said, “These communities will continue to get the support they need, that’s the commitment we’re making today with this more than $100 million investment to help them build back stronger than ever before.”
Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Senator Bridget McKenzie said the size of this recovery package highlighted the extensive trail of destruction the cyclone left in its wake in April this year.
“The extent of damage across an area of 133,000sq km within 16 local government areas in the Mid-West, Gascoyne and Wheatbelt regions has never before been seen in Western Australia.”
Premier Mark McGowan said the record funding package would provide impacted communities with the support they need to undertake the long recovery and rebuilding effort.
“My Government will continue to work closely with each and every community on their rebuilding efforts to make sure together we recover – stronger than ever.”
Minister for Emergency Services Reece Whitby said the WA Government had been working closely with local communities to determine their needs for the next stage of the recovery and rebuild.
“This package has been developed to provide tailored recovery initiatives, as we continue what will be a long and difficult process. We know these communities are resilient and we will continue to work with them in the coming months and years as they rebuild.”
The package includes:
- Financial support for the clean-up and restoration of damaged community, recreational, cultural and heritage assets
- Funding for a community welfare and outreach program, and
- Grant programs to help residents, primary producers and small businesses with clean-up and repair.
