❓ Premier outlines the $2.2 million assistance package for residents and businesses impacted by Cyclone Seroja, including those in greater Geraldton, detailing financial support and recovery efforts.
AnsweredQoN 59Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CYCLONE
SEROJA — ASSISTANCE PACKAGE
59. Ms L. DALTON to the Premier:
I
refer to the state government's $2.2 million assistance package for
those affected by cyclone Seroja. Can the Premier outline to the house
what this assistance will mean for those residents and businesses that were
impacted by cyclone Seroja, including those in communities across greater
Geraldton?
SEROJA — ASSISTANCE PACKAGE
59. Ms L. DALTON to the Premier:
I
refer to the state government's $2.2 million assistance package for
those affected by cyclone Seroja. Can the Premier outline to the house
what this assistance will mean for those residents and businesses that were
impacted by cyclone Seroja, including those in communities across greater
Geraldton?
AnswerView source ↗
Can
I firstly congratulate the member for Geraldton on her election and her very
strong majority in the electorate of Geraldton at the state election six weeks
or so ago. I know that she is a very, very hard community worker, as we heard
from her first speech. It was an outstanding effort, as indeed were many first
speeches of members of this house.
Cyclone
Seroja, obviously, has been a difficult experience for communities in Geraldton
and the north. We announced an additional $2.2 million in assistance for
impacted communities. That was on top of the $2 million we provided to the Lord
Mayor's Distress Relief Fund appeal and in addition to the electricity
and water financial relief packages and all the support provided by the
Department of Communities. Under this latest package, $4 000 will be provided
to residents and businesses who were hardest hit by cyclone Seroja. It will be
targeted at those people who lost their homes or their homes suffered
significant damage. For small businesses, it will be for those who suffered
financially due to the cyclone and from access being shut to their communities,
particularly tourism and hospitality businesses. We estimate that at least 200
businesses will benefit from this assistance and recovery. The recovery process
has obviously been well managed by the State Recovery Controller, the relevant
ministers and agencies, but it will be a long process. We have also put in a range
of applications to the commonwealth for disaster relief funding as well as
provide a range of other items of assistance to the local communities.
The
recovery efforts are well underway. There has been enormous government effort.
I would like to thank everyone in the agencies in particular who have
been up there doing the work. It is obviously difficult and sometimes dangerous work to fix these communities. All the
work that has been undertaken allowed us to open the major roads into
Kalbarri as of last Thursday, which will no doubt be welcomed by local tourism
and hospitality businesses. The State Recovery Controller and the state
recovery coordination groups are continuing to work to support those communities.
I understand it is a long road ahead; I appreciate the forbearance and patience
of people involved and I thank everyone doing all the hard work up there.
I firstly congratulate the member for Geraldton on her election and her very
strong majority in the electorate of Geraldton at the state election six weeks
or so ago. I know that she is a very, very hard community worker, as we heard
from her first speech. It was an outstanding effort, as indeed were many first
speeches of members of this house.
Cyclone
Seroja, obviously, has been a difficult experience for communities in Geraldton
and the north. We announced an additional $2.2 million in assistance for
impacted communities. That was on top of the $2 million we provided to the Lord
Mayor's Distress Relief Fund appeal and in addition to the electricity
and water financial relief packages and all the support provided by the
Department of Communities. Under this latest package, $4 000 will be provided
to residents and businesses who were hardest hit by cyclone Seroja. It will be
targeted at those people who lost their homes or their homes suffered
significant damage. For small businesses, it will be for those who suffered
financially due to the cyclone and from access being shut to their communities,
particularly tourism and hospitality businesses. We estimate that at least 200
businesses will benefit from this assistance and recovery. The recovery process
has obviously been well managed by the State Recovery Controller, the relevant
ministers and agencies, but it will be a long process. We have also put in a range
of applications to the commonwealth for disaster relief funding as well as
provide a range of other items of assistance to the local communities.
The
recovery efforts are well underway. There has been enormous government effort.
I would like to thank everyone in the agencies in particular who have
been up there doing the work. It is obviously difficult and sometimes dangerous work to fix these communities. All the
work that has been undertaken allowed us to open the major roads into
Kalbarri as of last Thursday, which will no doubt be welcomed by local tourism
and hospitality businesses. The State Recovery Controller and the state
recovery coordination groups are continuing to work to support those communities.
I understand it is a long road ahead; I appreciate the forbearance and patience
of people involved and I thank everyone doing all the hard work up there.
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