Kimberley disaster resilience projects funded to the tune of $23 million

Disaster resilience project across the Kimberley will be funded to the tune of $23 million after a joint commitment from Federal, State and local governments. The Broome Recreation Aquatic Centre will receive $230,886 to upgrade the facility to meet standards as an Importance Level 4 building, designated as the Shire of Broome’s Emergency Evacuation Centre. A total of $15.7m will be allocated for the Kununurra Regional Multi-Purpose Emergency Evacuation Centre, which will undergo a cyclone-rated upgrade. In the Shire of Derby-West Kimberley, $5.4m will fund the Eastern Community Resilience Centre which will provide services to more than 24 Indigenous communities in the East Kimberley. Nearly $1m has been allocated to the Safe Lives project, which will establish a solar microgrid system to power 11 remote Fitzroy Valley communities. Another $413,867 will go towards constructing additional bore infrastructure at existing water points in the Purnululu National Park World Heritage Area to increase bushfire readiness and resilience. Finally, more than $1m will be allocated to develop a vulnerability assessment tool for roads across the State. Special Envoy for Disaster Recovery Senator Tony Sheldon who toured the Kimberley in the lead-up to the funding announcement said the funding was going to projects identified by communities on the ground. “It’s essential that we support our communities with better tools and infrastructure they need to withstand these challenges,” he said. “These projects are not just about responding to emergencies; they’re about building community resources to change and recover quicker.” Member for Kimberley Divina D’Anna said the funding highlighted that governments were listening to communities on the ground. “I think $23m worth of commitment to the Kimberley for resilience is quite a good start,” she said. “The hub on the eastern side of the Fitzroy River is something that was spoken about a lot through the 2023 floods, so for governments to actually invest in building the hub is a good sign the community is being heard.” WA Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson underscored the collaboration between all levels of government to enhance disaster preparedness in the Kimberley. “Through these investments, we are not just preparing for the next disaster; we are building stronger, more resilient communities that can withstand the increasing threats posed by climate change,” he said. Federal Emergency Management Minister Jenny McAllister said half of all local government areas across the country have experienced disaster since 2022, some of them more than once. “We know that our climate is changing, and Australians can expect to experience more intense and more frequent natural disasters, which is why the Albanese Government is acting to prepare and protect communities from natural disasters and their impacts,” she said. The projects are a part of almost $387m for 164 projects in round two of the Federal Government’s Disaster Ready Fund.