Minister for Emergency Management
Robert McClelland MP
Minister for Emergency Management, Robert McClelland MP, today announced natural disaster assistance for communities in the southwest inland parts of Western Australia affected by severe thunderstorms and flooding between 30 and 31 December 2011.
Mr McClelland said assistance will be provided through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
“These severe thunderstorms and floods made the last days of 2011 pretty tough ones for West Australians who were caught up in them,” said Mr McClelland.
“People living in shires affected by the storms will have access to a range of support jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Western Australian Government.”
The Shires of Cuballing, Dumbleyung, Katanning, Kent, Wandering and Wickepin were affected by the storms and associated flooding.
Assistance includes:
- Personal Hardship and Distress grants for individuals and families
- Interest rate subsidies for loans of up to $150,000 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.
“This assistance is a demonstration of the Commonwealth’s commitment to helping councils and communities with their recovery efforts,” Mr McClelland said.
“This Commonwealth assistance will be distributed through state agencies in Western Australia.”
Mr McClelland said people in these local government areas who have suffered personal hardship and distress and businesses and primary producers affected by the storms and flooding or who wanted more information should contact the following agencies:
Individuals and families: Department for Child Protection – 1800 032 965
Primary producers: Department of Agriculture and Food – www.agric.wa.gov.au or 1800 198 231
Small business and other enquiries: FESA WA (08) 9323 9552.
For further information on disaster assistance available in Western Australia: www.fesa.wa.gov.au
Contact: Simon Ferguson – 0427 934 112
