The Albanese and
Cook Governments are delivering support for the clean-up, rehabilitation and
monitoring of the long-term impacts of affected environmental, heritage and
cultural assets impacted by the January floods, through
a new joint funded grants program.
The Environment,
Heritage and Culture Assets Flexible Grants Program is available for incorporated
community groups, non-government organisations, registered charities, primary
producers (including pastoral leaseholders and horticulturalists), Prescribed Bodies
Corporate, and government agencies to support flood recovery in Western
Australia's Kimberley region.
The program offers two
grant categories:
- small
grants of up to $100,000
- large grants of up to $500,000
Jointly funded
through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), grants will also be made available for on-Country activities that
enable Traditional Owners to reconnect with Country that has been impacted by
flooding.
The grants program will
be delivered by the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development,
through a cross-agency advisory panel made up of the WA Department of
Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the WA Department of Water and
Environmental Regulation.
Acting Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Brendan O'Connor
encouraged those eligible to apply for the grants as flood recovery in the
Kimberley moves forward.
"This assistance will help community organisations undertake
clean up and repairs to culturally significant areas," Minister O'Connor said.
"As communities recover from the destructive flood and storm
events earlier this year, the Commonwealth is continuing to support the Western
Australian Government to deliver clean-up efforts and the rehabilitation of
flood-damaged areas of cultural importance and environmental significance.
"With these grants we can address longer-term recovery needs
for endangered and threatened species, and importantly, ensure that impacted
communities remain connected to Country, and continue to care for it."
Western Australian Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said record flooding in the West Kimberley earlier this year has had a severe
impact on many of the region's unique and internationally significant
environmental and cultural assets.
"There are more
than 240
significant Aboriginal heritage places in the Fitzroy catchment and along the
river, and many have been impacted by the floods," Minister Dawson said.
"These sites are integral to the lives of the Traditional Owners for food,
medicine, customary activities and cultural tourism.
"Reconnecting
with Country, restoring and cleaning up heritage and conservation sites, and
carrying out custodial responsibilities is critical to the wellbeing of
Traditional Owners.
"The floods have also caused severe riverbank erosion, loss of surrounding
vegetation and disruption to the habitat of native fauna, as well as increased the
spread of weeds and animal pests.
"The Cook
Government recognises the significance of these unique cultural and
environmental assets and that's why we've been working closely with the Albanese
Government to provide financial support for their clean-up and restoration."
More information about the grant program is available at www.emergency.wa.gov.au/recovery
