The Australian and Western Australian governments are
activating disaster recovery assistance for communities impacted by severe
thunderstorms in the Perth Hills region in February and the Great Southern
region in March.
The cities of Swan and Albany and shires of Chittering, Mundaring
and Plantagenet will receive assistance through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State
Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
On 19 February, a damaging weather system developed along
the west coast before moving across the Perth Hills, producing powerful
microbursts in some areas.
In addition to storm debris, damage was caused to local
roads and other important public infrastructure across the impacted region.
On 13 March, a line of severe thunderstorms moved across
parts of the City of Albany and the Shire of Plantagenet, resulting in heavy
rainfall and areas of flash flooding.
Disaster recovery assistance will help local
governments repair roads and other public assets with Commonwealth and State funding
available for the reimbursement of eligible costs.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister
said the funding activated today would help councils recover and rebuild after
the damaging storms.
"This includes repairing damage to the road network and
ensuring community safety," she said.
"The Australian and WA governments are working closely to
ensure communities get the support they need to recover.
Western Australian Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia
praised the co-ordinated response that helped impacted communities in their
immediate recovery efforts.
"The severe and sudden nature of these thunderstorms
presented significant challenges and caused concentrated damage," Minister
Papalia said.
"I'd like to commend the efforts of emergency services personnel
who worked tirelessly to clear hazardous debris, repair critical infrastructure
and provide assistance to affected residents.
"I also want to acknowledge the resilience of these communities,
and the State Government will now work with the Commonwealth to ensure they
receive the support they need to recover from these severe weather events."
