In the wake of the Black Summer Bushfires, state-led disaster recovery agencies formed up and down the east coast.
These agencies are responsible for working with affected communities to make sure that support is ready, targeted and effective.
Western Australia is not immune to catastrophic natural disasters and yet, there is no dedicated emergency relief and recovery agency here.
The Nationals WA have issued a pre-election policy to create the state’s first dedicated recovery agency, if the party was returned to government next year.
“Western Australia experiences its fair share of natural disasters – from bushfires to cyclones and floods these events can cause serious and lasting impacts to communities,” National candidate for Darling Range Morgan Byas 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 Byas highlighted the example of 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 joint State-Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements,” he 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 (WARRA) 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.”
Morgan Byas 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,” he said.
“It’s clear a better approach to disaster recovery is needed, which is what The Nationals WA will deliver.”
