Joint media release with the Hon Stephen Dawson MLC
Communities in Western Australia's Midwest-Gascoyne and Pilbara regions affected by a severe thunderstorm and associated flooding in late March and early April can now access disaster recovery funding.
The City of Greater Geraldton and the shires of Cue, East Pilbara, Meekatharra, Murchison, Upper Gascoyne and Wiluna are now eligible for assistance through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Under these arrangements, assistance can be provided for eligible impacted individuals, small businesses, primary producers, state agencies and local governments.
Assistance includes support for temporary living expenses, housing repairs, concessional loans for small businesses and farmers, freight subsidies and help for Councils to undertake emergency road repairs.
On 29 March 2023, a severe thunderstorm impacted Western Australia's Midwest- Gascoyne and Pilbara regions until 4 April 2023. The thunderstorm brought heavy rain which caused flooding across the City of Greater Geraldton and the shires of Cue, East Pilbara, Meekatharra, Murchison, Upper Gascoyne and Wiluna.
The storm disrupted communities with flooding resulting in sections of Great Northern Highway and some local roads being closed due to damage and debris.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt, said the assistance would help communities recover and get back on their feet.
"Flood recovery is complex and challenging in remote areas, particularly when roads and infrastructure are impacted and damaged," Minister Watt said.
"The Albanese Government will continue to work closely with the McGowan Government to roll out assistance as quickly and efficiently as possible."
Western Australian Minister for Emergency Services, the Hon Stephen Dawson MLC, thanked all the agencies, local governments and community members who were involved in the response.
"I would like to commend all those involved in the response - from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services who coordinated the air drop of food supplies to a remote Aboriginal community in Upper Gascoyne, to Main Roads and WA Police who worked with local shires to manage road closures and re-openings across the impacted regions." he said.
"The financial support announced today will help cover the costs associated with repairing essential public assets and restoring important road networks that are vital to the State's supply chains."
Information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government's Disaster Assist website at disasterassist.gov.au.
