Minister for Emergency Management
Minister for Emergency Management, Robert McClelland MP, today announced that the federal Labor Government will provide natural disaster assistance to help communities hit by severe thunderstorms and flooding in the Great Southern region of Western Australia on Tuesday 6 and Monday 12 December, 2011.
“The Australian Government will provide assistance to the Western Australian Government through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements,” Mr McClelland said.
“The storms broke rainfall records across the eastern Central Wheat Belt, the Lower West – including Perth – and much of the great Southern regions.
“Councils affected now have access to infrastructure repair, counter-disaster operations and clean-up assistance through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.”
Joint Commonwealth/State assistance made available under National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements includes:
- Personal Hardship and Distress grants for individuals and families,
- Interest rate subsidies on loans for small businesses,
- Professional advice grants, restoration of boundary fences, freight and interest rate subsidies for primary producers, and
- Restoration of essential public assets for local councils and clean-up costs
The payments are jointly funded by the Commonwealth and WA Governments and administered through WA Government agencies.
“These payments are a demonstration of the Commonwealth and Western Australian governments’ commitment to helping councils and communities with their recovery,” Mr McClelland said.
“The Commonwealth Government will continue to work closely with the Western Australian Government to ensure affected councils have the support they need.”
Further information on WA disaster assistance available at www.fesa.wa.gov.au
Contact: Simon Ferguson – (02) 6277 7667 or 0427 934 112
