A convoy of caravans has been dispatched to the Mid-West region of Western Australia to provide temporary accommodation for people whose homes were severely damaged by Tropical Cyclone Seroja.
The caravans are being jointly funded through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie, said the mobile homes will be provide a safe base for residents displaced by the cyclone that allows those people to remain in their community while they focus on rebuilding their lives and getting back on their feet.
"Cyclone Seroja is the strongest system to hit the Midwest Gascoyne Region and caused extensive damage to residential properties, public infrastructure, agriculture, businesses and the environment," Minister McKenzie said.
"We want to stand by and support displaced residents as they are assisted into emergency and temporary accommodation, with a focus on housing people within their existing communities where possible.
"Under the DRFA arrangements there is flexibility for states and local governments to provide accommodation solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of affected local communities, rather than a 'one-size-fits-all' model," Minister McKenzie said.
Western Australian Minister for Emergency Services, The Hon Reece Whitby MLA, said it's a positive outcome that these impacted residents will be able to remain in their communities during the recovery process.
"I want to thank all residents and local governments for their support and patience as we worked through this process, which has been critical in making this initiative happen."
"We'll continue to work with the affected communities to find innovative solutions and ensure that people can recover from this devastating cyclone as quickly as possible," Minister Whitby said.
Eight caravans will be sent to the Shire of Northampton, two will assist those from the Shire of Morawa and one will be used to house a resident in the Shire of Chapman Valley.
The Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services has been working with each local government to ensure the caravans can be based on the residents' properties where possible.
