Joint media release with the Hon Stephen Dawson MLC
Communities in Western Australia's Kimberley region impacted by Tropical Cyclone Anika are encouraged to apply for disaster recovery assistance.
Assistance is provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), ensuring local governments are supported in their recovery journey.
Tropical Cyclone Anika made landfall in the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley and impacted Kimberley communities between February 26 and March 4.
Essential public assets including the Gibb River-Kalumburu Road were damaged in the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley, causing Kalumburu to only be accessible by air.
Kalumburu recorded 250mm of rainfall in a 24-hour period while the Wyndham Airport received 70mm.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, said it was important for communities to know that recovery support was available.
"There was significant damage across a widespread area, leaving some parts inaccessible by road for some time," Minister Watt said.
"The DRFA is in place for disasters like this and the continued cooperation between the Federal Government and the WA Government will ensure that those communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Anika will receive financial assistance."
WA Minister for Emergency Services, the Hon Stephen Dawson, said the DRFA funding would expedite the clean-up and repair of important assets in the Kimberley that were impacted.
"This financial assistance ensures critical infrastructure can be repaired and allows impacted communities to continue moving forward," he said.
"When a disaster like this hits, it can be devastating for local communities, which is why it is so important we activate DRFA assistance to ensure those affected get back on their feet as soon as possible.
"I would also like to acknowledge and commend the emergency services volunteers who turned out to support their local communities during this challenging event. Their sacrifice and resilience during times like this is integral to keeping Western Australians safe during natural disasters."
Information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government's Disaster Assist website
