Attorney-General Robert McClelland today announced the Commonwealth Government will provide natural disaster assistance to Western Australia following severe flooding in parts of the Pilbara, Gascoyne and Mid West.
Mr McClelland said Commonwealth assistance will be provided to the Western Australian Government through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
The following assistance is being made available in flood-affected parts of the Pilbara, Gascoyne and Mid-West regions:
Emergency assistance for people who have suffered personal hardship or distress;
Funding for local governments and state agencies for the restoration or replacement of essential public infrastructure;
Interest rate subsidies for small businesses; and
Professional Advice Grants, interest rate subsidies and freight subsidies for primary producers.
“Flooding and damage from severe storms has significantly impacted a number of communities across five states now – New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia,” Mr McClelland said.
“A total of 99 Local Government Areas in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland – as well as a number of regions in Western Australia and South Australia - have now been declared natural disaster zones following flooding over the past three weeks, making them eligible for Commonwealth assistance through state government agencies.”
“The Commonwealth Government, through Emergency Management Australia, will continue to work closely with the Western Australian Government to ensure that affected communities have the support they need,” Mr McClelland said.
For information about assistance, contact the following WA Government agencies:
Personal Support: WA Dept of Child Protection – 1800 199 008.
Primary Producers: WA Dept of Food and Agriculture – 1800 198 231.
Small Business: (08) 9323 9552.
Information is also available at www.fesa.wa.gov.au
