- Kimberley
Floods State Recovery and Resilience Plan provides
framework for locally-led recovery
- Advice
from working group comprising local Aboriginal leaders pivotal to recovery from
one-in-100-year flood event
- Country and culture at the heart of the recovery process
Emergency Services
Minister Stephen Dawson has released the Kimberley Floods State Recovery and
Resilience Plan, reinforcing the Cook Government's commitment to long-term
recovery efforts.
Following the floods, the recovery
and resilience plan has been developed through extensive engagement and
consultation with affected Traditional Owners, community representatives,
businesses, local governments and industry sector groups. The plan provides a
comprehensive assessment and framework for the State-supported, locally-led
recovery.
At the heart of the State Government's recovery governance
structure is the Fitzroy Valley Flood Recovery Working Group which comprises local
Aboriginal leaders from five flood-impacted language groups.
The working group is playing a key role in the recovery
process, providing advice and guidance on needs and implementation to the Government.
Work
on the plan began immediately after the one-in-100-year flood event early last
year and is expected to be completed over the next two years.
The plan outlines the impacts, needs and priorities that
are guided by the National Principles for Disaster Recovery and addresses the five
recovery domains of country and culture; people and community; infrastructure
and built environment; economic; and environment and heritage.
The Western Australian and Australian Governments have committed funding to support the
recovery initiatives outlined in the plan. This includes 14 tailored recovery
programs jointly funded through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements
including:
- clean-up and disposal of flood debris;
- delivery of social and emotional wellbeing services;
- repair and rebuild of houses and community access roads;
- flood resilience measures in the construction of the new Fitzroy
River Bridge and road works;
- assistance to businesses with high freight costs;
- restoration of environmental, cultural and heritage assets;
- operating and staffing community flood hubs and a dedicated pastoral
officer;
- grants for homeowners, businesses and primary producers to cover
their clean-up and repair costs; and
- provision of safe and secure temporary accommodation for
residents and workers engaged in recovery projects.
The investment will provide broad long-term economic,
environmental and social benefits and improved infrastructure for the region
well into the future.
To view the plan visit: www.emergency.wa.gov.au/recovery
Comments attributed to
Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
"The Cook Government made a strong commitment to the Fitzroy
Valley community with its recovery journey with a focus on supporting rather
than directing a locally-led response.
"This plan outlines the coordinated and targeted
recovery support that has already provided real and measurable progress over
the past 12 months to help the local government and impacted communities build
back better.
"I commend the leadership of
the Fitzroy Valley Flood Recovery Working Group and the Shire of Derby-West
Kimberley for the significant roles they are playing working with the Cook Government
for the betterment of all the flood-impacted communities.
"Putting
the community front and centre ensures that Government assistance is directed
to where it is most needed and best supports those who have been affected."
Comments attributed to Kimberley
MLA Divina D'Anna:
"It's now a year since the devastating impact
of ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie wreaked havoc on local communities in the Fitzroy
Valley and surrounding areas.
"It is fitting to recognise all the work of
those involved in this plan and I applaud and acknowledge the Cook Government's
commitment to continue to work with local people to build resilience in the
region."
