Flood affected communities gain access to NDRRA funds, Crook

Author: Tony Crook
Published on: 02-March-2011

Federal Member for O’Connor Tony Crook has announced that the storm and flood affected Shires of Laverton, Leonora and Menzies will be able to access natural diaster support.

Mr Crook said this news would be warmly received by the families living in these areas after they were hit with heavy rain and flooding in February.

"I have been in contact with the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) regarding this matter, and they have confirmed for me today that these areas will qualify as a natural disaster under the Natural Diaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA)," Mr Crook said.

Mr Crook explained that NDRRA funding has already been activated for the local government areas of Nungarin and Ngaanyatjarraku following the flooding in February which had damaged roads and forced hundreds of people to evacuate their homes.

Mr Crook said the NDRRA funds that are being used to assist these communities will be partially funded by the Flood Levy payment.

NDRRA assistance may include the following:

-Personal and Hardship Payments 
-Clean-up and Recovery Grants for small business and primary producers 
-Professional Advice Grants
-Assistance to Local and State Government for replacement and repair of public infrastructure.
-Interest rate subsidies for small business and primary producers
-Freight subsidies for primary producers
-Restoration of boundary fences (where public safety is at risk)

"This is a very positive outcome and I am pleased to see these communities in need will benefit from the Flood Levy."

Mr Crook also criticised Liberal Senator Chris Back and the Liberal Party for playing political games while communities are in need of assistance.

Mr Crook said Senator Back and serial letter-to-the-editor scribe Matt Eggleston were responsible for making false and misleading claims that reflected poorly on the Liberal Party.

"They are trying to claim cheap political points out of the disastrous circumstances that many find themselves in after a summer of fires, floods and storms," Mr Crook said.
 
"Unlike Senator Back and the Liberal Party, I have used my position in Parliament to negotiate a good outcome for disaster affected residents in WA."

As part of his dialogue with the Government regarding the Flood Levy, Mr Crook has negotiated to ensure a fair deal for WA residents, including:

-Activation of the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) for flood affected residents in the Gascoyne
-Exemption from paying the flood levy for flood, fire and storm affected residents in WA
-Protection from WA infrastructure being cut as a result of the Australian Governments response to the flood and cyclone relief package.

See this article on the member's website