Joint media release with The Hon Stephen Dawson MLC
Disaster relief funding is now available to local communities in the Shire of Ashburton in Western Australia’s Pilbara region following severe flooding earlier this year.
The assistance will be provided by the Australian and Western Australian governments through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Severe and unseasonal weather hit the Pilbara between 29 May and 1 June, bringing heavy rain and flooding that impacted major road networks across the region.
Red Hill, in the Shire of Ashburton, received 155.8mm of rain, including 145.2mm on 29 May.
Flooding and debris caused extensive damage and resulted in the closure of sections along the North West Coastal Highway, Nanutarra-Munjina Road, as well as numerous local roads within the impacted Shire.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, said the support will help to alleviate the financial burden that natural disasters can place on impacted communities.
“The disaster relief funding will help communities with the costs of clean-up and repair,” Minister Watt said.
“The Federal Government is committed to working closely with the WA Government to support the affected communities and support repairs to infrastructure.”
Western Australian Minister for Emergency Services, the Hon Stephen Dawson, said it was important that impacted communities received support.
“During the severe weather period, Onslow and Tom Price were temporarily isolated from nearby communities when major State roads closed due to flooding,” he said.
“This financial assistance will enable the region to repair vital essential public assets and support the industries and people that rely on these assets.”
Information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at
disasterassist.gov.au
