Joint media release with the Hon Stephen Dawson MLC
Seven Prescribed Body Corporates (PBCs) impacted by the one-in-one-hundred-year flooding in Western Australia's Kimberley region earlier this year will receive government support to continue their important recovery role.
Jointly funded by the Albanese and Cook Governments through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), the Prescribed Body Corporate Recovery Support Program will fund eligible PBCs to provide community engagement, advocacy and cultural navigation services to support recovery activities and initiatives over the next two years.
This support is in addition to other jointly funded recovery assistance measures that PBCs are eligible for, including grants for social and environmental recovery projects, as well as grants to assist with the clean-up and repair of their business premises.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said the PBC program would continue to help local Indigenous communities get back on their feet following the flooding which impacted large parts of Western Australia's Kimberley region.
"PBCs continue to act as a vital connector between government and the local community to ensure the appropriate coordination of response and recovery efforts," Minister Watt said.
"The Albanese Government will continue to work with the Cook Government - and importantly, impacted communities - to get the right help to those people who need it.
"Throughout this recovery we have made it a priority to consult with communities to ensure assistance is delivered in a culturally appropriate way that helps families get back on Country and restore heritage and conservation sites as soon as possible."
Western Australian Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said the need for ongoing PBC participation in recovery activities was critical.
"Since the floods these PBCs have played a key role in the recovery effort," Minister Dawson said.
"They've been helping government agencies to engage effectively and appropriately with the community, connecting community members with recovery services and information, advocating for members and supporting the economic participation of their communities.
"That's why the Cook Government has been working with the Albanese Government to help build the capacity of Aboriginal PBCs impacted by the floods and support their participation in the recovery process."
