- Multi-million-dollar programs to ensure WA can recover and rebuild from natural disasters faster
- 70 full-time staff to form State's biggest recovery team
- Funding to aid community recovery in the Kimberley following ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie
Western Australia's ability to respond to and recover from natural disasters will be strengthened with $38.3 million set aside in the State Budget to fund WA's biggest-ever dedicated recovery team.
The funding recognises the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters in WA, with flooding in the Kimberley, Severe Tropical Cyclone Seroja in the Mid-West and major bushfires in the Perth hills and regional WA in the past two years.
Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson today announced a $24.9 million investment which will enhance the Department of Fire and Emergency Services' ability to provide support following a natural disaster. Twenty-nine permanent full-time positions will be created to establish a sustainable State recovery capability.
A further $13.4 million has been committed to fund a taskforce which will manage and support recovery in the Kimberley in the wake of flooding caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie.
This funding will employ 20 full-time staff for two years while a further 12 full-time staff will be employed for 12 months.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
"This significant increase in resources from the McGowan Government will provide the biggest dedicated recovery team Western Australia has ever had.
"It will enable DFES to meet the increased demand for State recovery by having more people on the ground, which will help communities recover and rebuild faster.
"The State Government is committed to making sure communities are flexible and resilient, making it easier for them to bounce back and recover from these devastating weather events."
