Halls Creek Shire communities in Western Australia's East
Kimberley region impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Lincoln earlier this year can now access disaster recovery
assistance provided by the Albanese and Cook Governments.
Through the Commonwealth-State
Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), assistance is available
for local government and their communities to support eligible repair, rebuild
and recovery activities.
Between 19
and 25 February 2024, ex-Tropical Cyclone (ex-TC) Lincoln moved across inland
Northern Territory and then traversed the East Kimberley region. The storm
caused gales, damaging wind gusts, heavy rainfall and associated flooding,
which damaged a significant amount of the Shire's road network.
Acting Federal Emergency Management Minister Catherine
King said the recovery funding would help those impacted by the storm to
recover faster.
"We're
working closely with the Cook Government to support those impacted by this
disaster by sharing the immediate financial costs to repair essential public
assets and reconnect communities," Minister King said.
"This
will help streamline critical recovery works to bring roads back to a safe and
trafficable condition and reduce the isolation experienced by communities affected
by this event.
"I know both levels of government are committed to
working with local communities to understand the recovery needs in the East
Kimberley and how we can assist."
Western Australian Emergency Services Minister the
Hon Stephen Dawson MLC acknowledged the Shire and multi-agency governmental response
to the event and thanked them for their efforts in keeping impacted communities
safe.
"The
Shire of Halls Creek along with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services
(DFES), Main Roads WA and the WA Police Force are to be commended for their
efforts during the event.
"The Shire worked closely with the WA Police Force and Main Roads WA to
coordinate local road closures and control safe access to various areas and
communities for essential services, while DFES coordinated delivery of fresh
produce supplies by airdrop into the isolated Indigenous communities.
"The
disaster recovery funding will help cover the costs associated with the
reconstruction of essential public assets such as the roads and other
infrastructure that were damaged by ex-TC Lincoln."
Information on disaster assistance is available
on the Australian Government's Disaster Assist website at disasterassist.gov.au
