Pastoral relief provided in wake of Kimberley floods

• McGowan Government to provide pastoral rental relief to Kimberley pastoralists
• 92 Kimberley pastoralists eligible for support
  

Lands Minister John Carey has today announced a rental relief package for Kimberley pastoralists, following the recent devastating flooding events.

Under section 128 of the Land Administration Act, the Minister for Lands, on recommendation of the Pastoral Lands Board (PLB), may allow a payment of rent for a pastoral lease to be delayed for a specified period or reduced or waived entirely on application to the PLB by a pastoral lessee whose lease has been adversely affected by drought, fires, cyclones, floods or other disasters.

The Pastoral Lands Board and the State Government, through the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, have been engaging with pastoralists across the Kimberley in the wake of the devastation from the recent flooding events.

Eligible Kimberley pastoralists are encouraged to make an application to the PLB for rent relief for the first half of 2023 by sending a brief email to plb@plb.wa.gov.au

The State Support Plan for Animal Welfare in Emergencies has also been activated, enabling the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to coordinate response efforts related to animal welfare. Financial assistance is available through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements Western Australia.

Applicants from the shires of Derby-West Kimberley, Broome, Wyndham-East Kimberley and Halls Creek may be eligible for this funding, which includes a specific category to assist with the costs of recovery for eligible primary producers. For more information visit https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/fitzroy-flood-response

Comments attributed to Lands Minister John Carey:

"I want to be clear - our Government is fully committed to the long-term recovery of the Kimberley.

"This once-in-one-hundred-year flooding event in the Kimberley has been the worst flooding disaster in our State's history.

"This Government, on advice from the Pastoral Lands Board, will waive rental payments for the first half of 2023 for 92 Kimberley pastoralists who have been impacted by the Kimberley floods.

"As we know, the rebuild and recovery process following catastrophic events takes a long time and this support will enable pastoralists to receive some reprieve as they begin the recovery process."

Comments attributed to Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:

"There will be a long road to recovery for communities and pastoral stations impacted by the unprecedented flood emergency in the Kimberley.

"Along with the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding, this rent relief package will go some way to getting industry back on its feet during this difficult time.

"The McGowan Government continues to work alongside primary producers to provide practical support on the ground such as delivering feed to stranded livestock and addressing animal welfare concerns as they arise."

Comments attributed to Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:

"The McGowan Government, alongside the Kimberley community, will work together during the recovery process and this rental relief package will provide some support to pastoralists as they move into recovery.

"I encourage the 92 pastoralists across the Kimberley region to make an application to the Pastoral Lands Board for this rental relief package."

Lands Minister's office - 6552 5300

Agriculture and Food Minister's office - 6552 6200