Disaster assistance following the tropical low and associated flooding in the Kimberley

Written on the 9 February 2018

Disaster assistance has been activated in response to the tropical low and associated flooding that affected the Kimberley and East Pilbara in late January 2018.

Assistance is being provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

Minister for Law Enforcement and Cybersecurity Angus Taylor, who has responsibility for disaster assistance, said the tropical low that moved over the Kimberley and East Pilbara regions in late January had affected a large number of roads with flooding.

"The low brought with it heavy rainfall and strong winds in excess of 100km/h," Mr Taylor said.

"Some communities were left isolated and many of these roads had also suffered previous damage from the recent tropical cyclones Hilda and Joyce.

"This activation of the NDRRA will ensure funding is available to help affected communities and restore damaged public infrastructure, such as roads."

Western Australian Emergency Services Minister Fran Logan said that the Commonwealth and Western Australian governments were committed to working together on disaster recovery.

"In response to this event, disaster assistance has been activated in the five local government areas of Broome, Halls Creek, Derby-West Kimberley, Wyndham-East Kimberley and East Pilbara," Mr Logan said.

"The assistance will support eligible people, small businesses and primary producers with their recovery.

"It will also ensure funding is available for clean-up and debris removal activities."

Assistance available under the NDRRA may include:

• personal hardship and distress assistance for affected individuals and families
• financial support for affected communities, local governments and state agencies to help with the removal of debris, demolition and rebuilding, counter disaster operations, as well as the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets
• interest rate subsidies for small businesses and primary producers, and
• freight subsidies for primary producers.
• The assistance available for this event is divided into categories. For further information, visit: www.oem.wa.gov.au/funding/wandrra

Primary Contacts for assistance and advice are:
Individuals and Families - Department of Communities, Emergency Services (Child Protection and Family Support) by telephone on 1800 032 965
Primary Producers Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (Agriculture and Food) Rural Business Development Unit by telephone on 1800 198 231
Other Enquiries to the Office of Emergency Management by telephone on 6551 4034 or 6551 4041, or by email to wandrra@oem.wa.gov.au

Information on disaster assistance available for natural disasters can be found on the Commonwealth Government's website at www.disasterassist.gov.au

Emergency Services Minister's office - 6552 6300