The Western Australian Government has partnered with Lotterywest to deliver a new disaster recovery fund to support Western Australians impacted by extreme weather events.
The State Premier’s Natural Disaster Recovery Fund will provide critical financial support to community members facing disruption and losses as they recover from significant natural disasters.
Importantly, the new fund will also widen the scope of those able to access payments, with residents eligible for the assistance along with businesses and community groups.
The payment will be provided in tiers, with $20,000 available to residents whose home has been severely or totally damaged and/or is uninhabitable, and $10,000 for those who have suffered serious damage. Businesses and community groups are also eligible for $5,000 to help with repairs and recovery, with the potential for payments to be adjusted upwards depending on the event.
Drawing on Lotterywest’s Reserve Fund, the financial assistance will bridge the gap between immediate emergency assistance and insurance payouts, which are often provided at a later stage.
The fund is ready for the higher-risk weather season over the coming months, when bushfires and cyclones are prevalent in parts of the state.
The fund can be activated in addition to the existing Premier’s Relief Payments of $2,000 to $4,000, which are currently provided in the aftermath of significant natural disasters. These payments offer immediate financial assistance to residents to go towards paying for items such as food and clothing. The new payment means a resident whose home was completely destroyed may be eligible for a total of $24,000 if both funds are activated.
Longer term support measures such as the Federal-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund will also continue to be available if activated.
Funds will be distributed by partners Australian Red Cross and the Western Australian Council of Social Service.
Western Australian Premier, Roger Cook, said that natural disasters can devastate communities and cause lasting disruption, which is why the government is launching a new fund to provide support when people need it most.
“Payments from the new Premier’s Natural Disaster Recovery Fund are more generous, and more people are eligible to receive them, supporting locals to get back on their feet faster,” Premier Cook said.
“By drawing on Lotterywest’s Reserve Fund, people around the state will be supporting their fellow Western Australians when they are doing it tough.
“We’ve worked to ensure this new fund is ready in time for the bushfire and cyclone seasons over the coming months, complementing our bolstered frontline services.”
Western Australian Minister for Emergency Services, Stephen Dawson, said that it is vital to help people and local communities to rebuild and get back on their feet as quickly as possible following a devastating natural disaster.
“This new disaster recovery fund is another helping hand to deliver immediate support to enable people to bridge the gap before insurance payouts become available,” Minister Dawson said.
“While our government is investing heavily in boosting our frontline emergency services to protect Western Australian communities, we are also acutely aware that climate change has created environmental conditions that are extremely challenging to fight major fires.
“This new disaster relief fund provides another step in our preparation and recovery process to reassure communities that if the worst should happen, then our government is on standby to provide the necessary support and assistance.”
