Disaster relief announced for flood affected communities, Crook

Author: Tony Crook
Published on: 11-January-2012

NATIONALS WA Federal Member for O’Connor, Tony Crook MP, has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to provide natural disaster assistance to communities affected by severe storms and flooding late last year.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Hon Robert McClelland MP, announced yesterday that several local government areas in the Wheatbelt and the Great Southern would be eligible for disaster relief assistance through the National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

The Shires of Cuballing, Dumbleyung, Katanning, Kent, Wandering and Wickepin will all be eligible for assistance after being hit by heavy storms and suffering flood damage throughout December 2011.

Mr Crook said this decision would be appreciated by the local communities who had been hit hard by the severe weather conditions.

“I’m pleased to see the Federal Government committing funding through the NDRRA,” Mr Crook said.

“The Federal Government has responded to this disaster event in a timely manner which will now allow the local councils and local residents to get back on their feet as quickly as possible,” Mr Crook said.

Mr Crook said under the NDRRA, assistance would be made available in several forms including: -

• 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.

Mr Crook said residents who had been impacted by the storms and required assistance should contact the following agencies.

Individuals and families
Department for Child Protection – 1800 032 965

Primary producers
Department of Agriculture and Food – 1800 198 231 or www.agric.wa.gov.au

Small business and other enquiries
FESA WA – (08) 9323 9552.

For further information on disaster assistance available in WA visit www.fesa.wa.gov.au.

See this article on the member's website