Disaster relief funding made available for Kimberley’s February floods

Financial assistance is now available to those impacted by a flooding event that caused major damage across the West Kimberley in early February. Announced this week, the assistance will be provided to the Shires of Broome and West-Derby as part of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, jointly funded by Commonwealth and State Government. It comes over a month after Broome and surrounding areas saw 320mm of rainfall in a single day, the town’s second-highest February daily total since records began. Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery Resilience, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said the assistance is being offered to those individuals, small businesses, primary producers and local councils who are impacted. “Significant damage occurred across Broome-Cape Leveque Road, with a number of local roads also impacted by the Event,” Minister McKenzie said. “The Australian Government will continue to work closely with the Western Australian Government to support the recovery of the impact local governments and their communities.” The assistance is available to help those whose homes or belongings have been damaged; assist primary producers with freight subsidies; provide concession interest rate loans for directly impacted small business, primary producers and non-profit organisations; and give support to local councils with costs of restoration and clean up. Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said that during the flooding, the State Emergency Service crew actioned on 30 calls for assistance. “SES volunteers received 12 requests for assistance from isolated communities, in addition to requests for medical evacuation, as the tropical low cross the Kimberley,” Minister Dawson said. “The financial assistance will enable communities in the region to rebuild and restore vital road networks and public assets.”