The installation of family-friendly temporary
accommodation for flood-affected Fitzroy Valley communities in Western
Australia's Kimberley is underway.
Families whose flood-damaged homes
require either major refurbishment or rebuilding will have access to improved temporary
accommodation options in coming weeks, ahead of the 2023-24 wet season.
The installation of temporary accommodation
has been made available through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster
Recovery Funding Arrangements.
A minimum of 40 temporary accommodation
units are being provided, which are fully furnished and designed to suit family
living, each made up of two demountable-style modules connected by a central verandah.
Modules
will include two-or three-bedroom configurations with either self-contained or adjoining
ensuites and kitchen, laundry and living spaces.
The
temporary accommodation units being installed are at a height to withstand a one-in-50-year
flooding event.
Access
roads to communities are also being repaired and upgraded to enable heavy
haulage to support delivery and installation.
Major repair works to flood-damaged Western
Australian Government-owned properties are also underway, including the raising
of approximately 23 properties to the new standard of a metre above the one-in-100-year
flood event level.
This future-proofing of homes complements
the installation of the temporary units as part of the commitment by the Albanese
and Cook Governments to help flood-impacted Kimberley communities prepare for
the coming wet season.
The temporary accommodation units are
being installed as part of the Kimberley Floods Temporary Residential
Accommodation Program, while the work to lift existing homes is part of the Community
Housing and Access Roads Repair and Rebuild Program.
Both programs are jointly funded by the Albanese
and Cook Governments.
Comments attributable to Federal Acting Minister for Emergency
Management, Brendan O'Connor:
"We are working closely
with the Cook Government and the local community in the Fitzroy Valley to
understand what is needed for recovery from Tropical Cyclone Ellie, as
well as what is needed in advance of the next wet season.
"We are always listening
to community leaders and residents to understand what is going to work best for
them.
"Being able to live on country
and near family is critical for community and this temporary accommodation
offers the best solution while people's homes are continuing to be repaired or
rebuilt."
Comments
attributable to WA Senator Glenn Sterle:
"It's
great to see recovery progressing, giving residents a sense of certainty before
the next wet season arrives.
"The
Albanese Government is pleased to support this important work by the Cook
Government, with consultation from local communities and traditional
landowners."
Comments
attributable to WA Minister for Community Services, Sabine Winton:
"Rollout of the temporary accommodation
commenced in early September with installation works underway in Bungardi, Darlngunaya, Burawa,
Fitzroy Crossing, Karnparmi, Loanban and Yurabi.
"Fitzroy
Valley community members will soon have a more permanent temporary place to
call home before the wet season, while their flood affected homes are
refurbished or rebuilt."
Comments attributable to WA Minister for
Emergency Services, Stephen Dawson:
"While the Cook Government continues to support the
communities across the Fitzroy Valley to recover from the flooding, we're also
putting measures in place to prepare for the upcoming wet season.
"Completion of raised temporary residential accommodation
will enable flood-affected community members to remain living on country over
the wet season and supports cultural and spiritual connection with their land
and waterways."
Comments attributable to Kimberley MLA
Divina D'Anna:
"Following
January's floods, we know that many people in the Fitzroy Valley may be anxious
in the lead up to the coming wet season.
"Providing
secure, family friendly housing on country will help to ease that stress."
