- New Premier's Natural Disaster Recovery Fund to provide
timely relief for communities impacted by emergencies in time for bushfire and
cyclone season
- Up to $20,000 available for households, community groups and
local businesses following an emergency
- Fund to bridge the gap between immediate support and
insurance payouts
The Cook Labor Government
has today launched a new disaster recovery fund - in partnership with
Lotterywest - to support more Western Australians impacted by emergencies.
The Premier's Natural
Disaster Recovery Fund will provide critical financial support to community
members facing disruption and losses as they recover from significant natural
disasters.
Importantly, the new fund
will also widen the scope of those able to access payments, with residents
eligible for the assistance along with businesses and community groups.
The payment will be
provided in tiers, with $20,000 available to residents whose home has been
severely or totally damaged and/or is uninhabitable, and $10,000 for those who
have suffered serious damage. Businesses and community groups are also eligible
for $5,000 to help with repairs and recovery, with the potential for payments
to be adjusted upwards depending on the event.
Drawing on Lotterywest's
Reserve Fund, the financial assistance will bridge the gap between immediate
emergency assistance and insurance payouts, which are often provided at a later
stage.
The fund is ready for the
higher-risk weather season over the coming months, when bushfires and cyclones
are prevalent in parts of the State.
The fund can be activated
in addition to the existing Premier's Relief Payments of $2,000 to $4,000, which
are currently provided in the aftermath of significant natural disasters. These
payments offer immediate financial assistance to residents to go towards paying
for items such as food and clothing. The new payment means a resident
whose home was completely destroyed may be eligible for a total of $24,000 if
both funds are activated.
Longer term support
measures such as the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and
Lord Mayor's Distress Relief Fund will also continue to be available if
activated.
Funds will be distributed
by partners Australian Red Cross and the Western Australian Council of Social
Service.
Information on the Premier's
Natural Disaster Recovery Fund is available at WA.gov.au/premiersrecoveryfund.
Comments attributed to
Premier Roger Cook:
"Natural disasters can devastate
communities and cause lasting disruption, which is why my Government is
launching a new fund to provide support when people need it most.
"Payments from the new Premier's
Natural Disaster Recovery Fundare
more generous, and more people are eligible to receive them, supporting locals to
get back on their feet faster.
"By drawing on
Lotterywest's Reserve Fund, people around the State will be supporting their
fellow Western Australians when they are doing it tough.
"We've worked to ensure this
new fund is ready in time for the bushfire and cyclone seasons over the coming
months, complementing our bolstered frontline services."
Comments attributed to Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
"It's vital to help
people and local communities to rebuild and get back on their feet as quickly
as possible following a devastating natural disaster.
"This new disaster recovery
fund from the Cook Government is another helping hand to deliver immediate
support to enable people to bridge the gap before insurance payouts become
available.
"While our Government is
investing heavily in boosting our frontline emergency services to protect
Western Australian communities, we are also acutely aware that climate change
has created environmental conditions that are extremely challenging to fight major
fires.
"This new disaster relief
fund provides another step in our preparation and recovery process to reassure
communities that if the worst should happen, then our Government is on standby
to provide the necessary support and assistance."
