A dedicated recovery agency will make communities in Central Wheatbelt more resilient in the event of a disaster, making them stronger and able to rebuild sooner.
Candidate for Central Wheatbelt Lachlan Hunter said a WA Resilience & Recovery Agency (WARRA) would be established by The Nationals WA if returned to Government in 2025.
“Western Australia experiences it’s far share of natural disasters – from bushfires to cyclones, and floods – these events can cause serious and lasting impacts to communities,” Mr Hunter said.
“In WA, recovery is managed by various agencies, with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services managing the immediate aftermath of a disaster, and local governments, volunteers and others often picking up the heavy lifting beyond that.
“That’s why WA needs its own dedicated recovery agency, to ensure communities can build back better, sooner, and stronger.”
Mr Hunter referred to Tropical Cyclone Seroja in 2021, WA’s most destructive natural disaster on record, which caused over $400 million worth of damage across the Mid West.
“Following Cyclone Seroja, the State Government promised to deliver a $104.5 million recovery package, funded by the join State-Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements,” Mr Hunter said.
“Ultimately, just $8.8 million of the $104.5 million set aside for recovery was spent, which meant many households, businesses and communities were left to go it alone.
“A WA Resilience and Recovery Agency could have ensured funding was delivered sooner, and reported back to Government on other road-blocks to the reconstruction effort, such as the lack of key worker accommodation and trades in the region.”
Mr Hunter said Central Wheatbelt was prone to bushfires as evidenced by the Corrigin fires in February 2022.
“When disaster strikes in the Central Wheatbelt, having a dedicated agency in place will help get support and funding to those in need sooner, and take the pressure off local governments and other community groups to manage complex and lengthy recovery.”
Mr Hunter said the WARRA will be modelled on similar agencies already operating successfully in other states, such as the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA).
“In the same timeframe it took WA to pay out $8.8 million for Cyclone Seroja, the QRA paid out almost $1.5 billion across seven disaster events in 57 local government areas.
“It’s clear a better approach to disaster recovery is needed, which is what The Nationals WA will deliver.”
