Twelve months on from the devastating flooding in Western Australia's Kimberley region, the Federal Emergency Management Minister and Western Australian Emergency Services Minister have paid tribute to the resilience and determination of flood-affected communities.
Throughout 2023 the Australian and Western Australian Governments announced joint funding for a total of 14 extraordinary assistance recovery programs to support impacted residents, businesses and local governments and help them rebuild.
This is in addition to significant assistance provided to local councils and individuals for clean-up, reconstruction and direct support, also co-funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Construction of the new Fitzroy River Bridge was completed more than six months ahead of schedule, marking the official reconnection of the East and West Kimberley after the old Fitzroy River Bridge was irreparably damaged.
The new bridge is six times stronger and significantly longer than the old bridge - ensuring it will be more resilient to flood events in the future.
The works program to install family friendly temporary accommodation for flood-affected remote communities across the Fitzroy Valley has also been completed.
The majority of the families from seven Fitzroy Valley communities whose Government-owned and managed homes were flood damaged have now moved into the newly installed temporary accommodation units.
Forty-seven temporary accommodation units have been fully installed in these communities as part of the Kimberley Floods Temporary Residential Accommodation Program.
A program to boost mental health and social support services for flood-impacted individuals and communities has also been successfully rolled out to assist the region's long-term recovery and help build community resilience.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt:
"Kimberley communities have shown grit and determination to withstand and recover from several disaster events in 2023. The speed of this recovery effort is testament to the work of the Fitzroy Valley community leadership group, supported by the Australian, Western Australian and local governments.
"We know that locally led approaches to disaster preparedness and recovery ensure the right support is delivered that meets community needs.
"The Australian Government will always be ready to support the people of Western Australia with disaster recovery funding initiatives."
Quotes attributable to WA Minister for Emergency Services, Stephen Dawson:
"I want to acknowledge the leadership and resilience that has been shown by impacted communities over the last 12 months, not only responding to the disaster but also in their recovery journey so far.
"The Cook Government is committed to ensuring the right recovery support is available to people who are impacted by the long-term effects of the flooding.
"We will maintain that approach in 2024 by continuing to empower a locally led process and working closely alongside the community to build a more resilient Fitzroy Valley.
"I am confident that the local leadership of the Shire of Derby-West Kimberley and the strength and community spirit of impacted communities in the Fitzroy Valley will help them navigate the challenging road to recovery.
"I also want to acknowledge the tremendous support and assistance that we have received from the Australian Government. We are very grateful for their proactive and hands-on approach to our disaster recovery program."
