A new flood recovery program by the Albanese and Cook Governments will support more opportunities for First Nations businesses and workers to get involved with recovery efforts, following record flooding in Western Australia’s Kimberley region last year.
Jointly funded through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), the Aboriginal and Local Business Participation in Recovery Programwill help increase the participation of Aboriginal-owned businesses and workers to undertake recovery and reconstruction works, by boosting employment and training opportunities.
The program will include funding to deliver business support and a grants program for existing small businesses and sole traders that are either Aboriginal-owned or employ First Nations people. Support also extends to start-ups and businesses that wish to expand operations.
Funding will also be provided for employment support and services that help connect contractors with local Aboriginal businesses and workers and enable them to participate in the opportunities created by flood recovery activities.
Grants to help cover non-capital business costs, such as insurance, business accreditation and training, as well as purchase of specialist assets or items to undertake recovery works delivery, will also be available.
The program will be delivered by the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said the program ensured local knowledge, expertise and initiatives would be incorporated in flood recovery activities across the region.
“This program is about ensuring that local businesses and workers are supported to undertake the work that’s needed to continue recovery, while giving them an opportunity to grow,” Minister Watt said.
“First Nations people have thousands of years of local land knowledge and I commend some of the great work Aboriginal-owned Prescribed Body Corporates are already doing to facilitate community engagement, advocacy and cultural navigation services.
“We’re proud to create some really positive, long-term outcomes for the community and the local economy through this program following the record-breaking floods that caused so much damage and disruption.”
Western Australian Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said the significant investment occurring in support of recovery and reconstruction programs and projects provided real opportunities to increase economic participation for Aboriginal businesses and workers.
“Since the floods, recovery works and activities have already delivered tangible opportunities for local Aboriginal businesses and workers,” Minister Dawson said.
“We’ve already seen fantastic outcomes from projects like the construction of the new Fitzroy River Bridge which employed 150 local Aboriginal workers, with over$11 million committed to Aboriginal-owned businesses in the Fitzroy Valley.
“It’s important that we continue to build on those outcomes in the housing and road repair and reconstruction works and deliver long term benefits to the community by expanding local Aboriginal business capacity and capability and building the experience and skills of the Aboriginal workforce.”
