Hon Colin Barnett MEc MLA

Hon Colin Barnett MEc MLA

Former Premier; Minister for Tourism; Science

    Joint media statement - Disaster assistance for flood affected communities in Western Australia

    15/02/2017 4:00 PM
     

    Minister for Justice Michael Keenan and Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett today announced disaster assistance in response to flooding that affected Western Australia in January and February 2017.

     

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

     

    "The Australian and Western Australian governments recognise the need for effective action to help communities recover from the impacts of the recent rainfall and flooding," Mr Keenan said.

     

    "We are saddened by the news that two men died in relation to the floods. Our thoughts are with their loved ones at this time."

     

    Premier Barnett said there has been extensive flooding across much of the State since January and continuing into February. 

     

    "This assistance we are announcing today will provide individuals, families and communities with a much needed helping hand," Mr Barnett said.

     

    Assistance available under the NDRRA may include:

    • personal hardship and distress assistance for families and individuals to help with emergency needs such as food, clothing and accommodation
    • personal and financial counselling
    • financial assistance for local and state government authorities to undertake counter-disaster operations and to restore damaged public infrastructure
    • interest rate subsidies for small businesses and primary producers who have been directly impacted, and
    • freight subsidies for primary producers.

    Seven Regional Development Australia Regions (regions) consisting of 88 local government areas (LGAs) will receive NDRRA assistance as part of this announcement.

     

    The Australian and Western Australian governments will continue to work together to ensure that communities have access to the assistance they need.

     

    Information on disaster assistance available for this natural disaster can be found on the Australian Government's Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au and the Western Australian Office of Emergency Management website at www.oem.wa.gov.au.

     

    Premier's office - 6552 5000

     

                                                                          Local Government areas receiving NDRRA assistance:

     

     

    SwanNarembeenJerramungup
    AshburtonNorthamptonKalgoorlie-Boulder
    BroomeNungarinKatanning
    Bruce RockPerenjoriKent
    CarnamahPort HedlandKojonup
    Chapman ValleyQuairadingKondinin
    CoorowSandstoneKulin
    CueTamminLake Grace
    CunderdinThree SpringsLaverton
    DalwallinuTrayningLeonora
    DandaraganVictoria PlainsMenzies
    Derby-West KimberleyWestoniaNarrogin
    DowerinWilunaNgaanyatjarraku
    East PilbaraWongan-BalliduPingelly
    GoomallingWyalkatchemPlantagenet
    Greater GeraldtonWyndham East KimberleyRavensthorpe
    Halls CreekYalgooWagin
    IrwinYilgarnWandering
    KarrathaAlbanyWest Arthur
    KellerberrinBrooktonWickepin
    KoordaBroomehill-TambellupWilliams
    MeekatharraCoolgardieWoodanilling
    MerredinCorriginBeverley
    MingenewCranbrookChittering
    MooraCuballingGingin
    MorawaDenmarkNortham
    Mount MagnetDumbleyungToodyay
    Mount MarshallDundasYork
    MukinbudinEsperance 
    MurchisonGnowangerup