CYCLONE SEROJA — EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION
202. Mr R.S. LOVE to the Minister for Emergency Services:
I refer to the households who
requested emergency accommodation following the devastation caused by tropical
cyclone Seroja and the extreme shortage of temporary accommodation options
available for those communities, particularly Kalbarri and Northampton. Has the
minister made contact with the Minister for Community Services to extend
emergency accommodation terms beyond the current deadline of 21 days?
Mr R.R.
WHITBY replied:
I
thank the member for that question. As the previous minister mentioned in his
response, this has been a devastating natural disaster over a very wide
area and it presents a very challenging and long journey back to recovery and
to delivering more normal services and situations for the people in those
communities.
In
terms of the accommodation that has been provided, as the member would know, virtually
on day one, emergency responders, the
Department of Communities and a range of services were in place to provide
assistance. Emergency accommodation
was provided through Communities. A lot of financial assistance has also been
provided. It terms of the community support for emergency accommodation, about
a week ago, I received an update that a small handful, about four households,
required accommodation. On some occasions, accommodation was provided in
Geraldton, but there was a preference from many people to remain in
their communities—for instance, in Northampton and elsewhere—because
they wanted to stay close to their home. I can understand that preference. I am
aware that if someone is still in need of accommodation and requires support,
that 21-day period can be extended and renewed, and I think that has been done
on some occasions.
Financial
support is also available. An amount of $2 million has been given to some 7 000
recipients for a range of support. That could be used on accommodation,
on rent and motels. Additionally, the commonwealth has provided support through direct payments and allowances.
The state government announced grants of $4 000, which have been made available
and for which people are now applying. We have the Lord Mayor's Distress
Relief Fund. If someone's home was totally devastated, they can apply
for $25 000, or if their home was significantly damaged, they can apply for
$10 000. Of course, we are working with our friends in the commonwealth
government for disaster recovery payments to be made available. These
significant payments will be made available on a dollar-for-dollar basis
through our cooperation with the commonwealth. I understand that for the first
time in Western Australia, we have managed to unlock category C and D payments,
which will provide support for significant infrastructure across 16 local
government communities and support for small business and primary producers, as
well.
Members should never forget that
this disaster struck a very wide area of the midwest, right into the northern
midlands. The communities affected include Kalbarri, Northampton, Perenjori,
Mullewa, Mingenew and Morawa right down to
Dalwallinu and many other small farming communities along the way. It is
significant. There is a range of accommodation
requirements. The government is also working on a longer term requirement for
accommodation to house the population who will need to move into the
area for rebuilding, but this is a significant challenge. I believe that the
short-term accommodation requirements are being met adequately. If the member
knows anyone who requires accommodation or support, I suggest that he is free
to approach me at any time. I also note that in those communities there are
welfare centres with representatives and others whom people can approach for
support at any time. In Northampton, a centre is open in the main street from
9.00 am to 5.00 pm, seven days a week, where anyone can turn up and seek
assistance.