Jointly funded disaster
recovery assistance has been activated to support those impacted by the recent severe
storm and tornado in the City of Bunbury in Western Australia's South West.
On 10 May
2024 the City of Bunbury experienced a severe storm and tornado that caused destructive
winds. Suburbs south of the city centre bore the brunt of the impact, with more
than 200 residential properties, community facilities and essential public assets
damaged, including the Bunbury Regional Prison.
The assistance is being provided by the
Albanese and Cook Governments through the jointly funded Disaster Recovery
Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to individuals, families and small businesses in
the City
of Bunbury impacted by the storm and tornado.
This joint assistance
will build on the emergency support already available through the WA Premier's
Relief Payment for eligible individuals and families to help meet their
immediate and essential needs, such as emergency accommodation, food, clothing
and personal effects, and personal or financial support services.
Both Governments are also working together to support the City of Bunbury to
cover eligible costs associated with undertaking clean-up and the repair of
essential public assets.
Western Australian
Premier Roger Cook praised emergency services workers and volunteers who have
been central to the early recovery efforts.
"I'm immensely proud of
how the local Bunbury community has come together to support each other in the
wake of this devastating weather event.
"My Government will do
whatever we can to support those impacted.
"Our Premier's Payments
scheme has already been triggered to provide immediate assistance, and I'm
grateful to the Albanese Government for their support in the next stage of the
recovery journey."
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said that the Albanese
Government was committed to ensuring disaster assistance was delivered when it
was needed.
"When severe weather
events catch communities off-guard, our Government will always work with WA to
ensure suitable assistance is delivered," Minister Watt said.
"I am pleased to work
with our Western Australian colleagues to get assistance on the ground as soon
as possible to support the region in their recovery."
Western Australian
Emergency Services Minister the Hon Stephen Dawson MLC said activating the DRFA
would help provide much-needed assistance with emergency accommodation and
everyday essentials.
"The tornado's location and scale of damage make this an extremely rare event
and it has significantly impacted more than 200 hundred households in the
Bunbury community," he said.
"For many residents the
recovery journey will be a long one.
"With this in mind, we're
working closely with the Commonwealth Government to ensure those affected by
this severe storm get the support they need to recover."
Local Member for
Bunbury Don Punch MLA said the disaster recovery assistance would be most
welcome by the residents of Bunbury.
"This is an incredibly
tough time for the whole community, but the people of Bunbury have rallied to
support each other in the face of hardship.
"It has been
heartwarming to hear the many stories about people helping each other out over
the past week and see firsthand the tireless work of our volunteers, emergency
services personnel and City of Bunbury staff.
"We know the recovery
process will take time but this financial aid, in addition to the support
that's already available through the Premier's Relief Payment, will provide
much needed assistance in the short term to those impacted by this severe
weather event."
Information on disaster
assistance is available on the Australian Government's Disaster Assist website
at disasterassist.gov.au
