Image by SplitShire from Pixabay
As Western Australia struggles first with a bushfire emergency and then with flooding, Federal and State authorities have been rushing to assist those most in need.
The Government announced yesterday (Tuesday) that disaster assistance has been made available to help communities recover from the damage caused by a tropical low that recently made its way down the coast.
WA’s shires of Carnarvon, Upper Gascoyne and Derby-West Kimberley will be eligible to receive financial assistance through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Federal minister for emergency management, David Littleproud, said the weather system produced strong winds and resulted in significant rainfall.
“The Bureau of Meteorology reported that Carnarvon received more rain in 24 hours than it received for all of 2020, which has led to significant damage, in particular to the road network,” he explained.
“The assistance being announced will help cover the costs associated with the operational response and repairing damaged essential public assets.”
Littleproud said Federal, State and local communities were working together to ensure those hardest hit will have all the support they need during this difficult time.
Francis Logan, the state’s Minister for Emergency Services, said the tropical low had caused the most significant flooding the Shire of Carnarvon has witnessed in over a decade.
“Ongoing flooding means it could take weeks to assess the full extent of the damage, particularly to our extensive road networks, which is why this immediate support is so important,” Logan stated.
“The North West Coastal Highway is currently closed north of Carnarvon due to flooding, and I thank the community for their patience while we wait for flood waters to recede so urgent repairs can be undertaken.”
Meanwhile, WA’s mining and resources businesses have so far contributed more than $6.5-million to support residents in Perth and surrounding areas impacted by last week’s bushfires.
The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) said the pain and hardship caused by the devastating Perth Hills fires had prompted CME to establish the Bushfire Community Support Initiative for members to contribute to.
“Most of us know someone who has been impacted in some way by the bushfires and, as an industry, we are keen to help out and provide critical financial aid and support to local families and communities,” Chief Executive Paul Everingham said.
“It’s heartbreaking to see people lose their homes and, in some cases, their livelihoods. We hope that the funds raised will help make things a little easier for these local communities as they start to rebuild.”