Skip to main content
Home
  • The Legislative Assembly meets on 16/04/2024 (01:00 PM)
    Assembly sit 16/04/2024
  • The Legislative Council meets on 16/04/2024 (01:00 PM)
    Council sit 16/04/2024
  • The Public Administration meets on 08/04/2024 (10:00 AM)
    Committee meet 08/04/2024

Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 202 asked in the Legislative Assembly on 3 June 2021 by Mr R.S. Love

Parliament: 41 Session: 1

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.