Disaster assistance has been made available to help Durack communities recover from the damage caused by a tropical low that made its way across parts of the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne last weekend.
The Federal Member for Durack, the Hon Melissa Price, has welcomed the prompt response by the Morrison Government to assist a number of the impacted Durack communities.
“While I am thrilled that some very dry pastoral properties in the affected regions have received really good rains, there has also been significant damage to key infrastructure that needs urgent funding and repair,” Ms Price said.
“The Shires of Carnarvon, Upper Gascoyne and Derby-West Kimberley will be eligible to receive financial assistance through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. We will continue to work alongside local communities to ensure that they have all the support they need during this difficult time and we are ready to extend disaster assistance to those communities in need,” she said.
Ongoing flooding means it could take weeks to assess the full extent of the damage, particularly to our extensive Durack road networks. The North West Coastal Highway is currently closed north of Carnarvon due to flooding, and I thank the community for their patience while we wait for flood waters to recede so urgent repairs can be undertaken.
Information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at Tropical low and associated flooding: 28 January - 8 February 2021 (disasterassist.gov.au)
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Media Contact:
Rose Crane 0427 587395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au