Local governments to receive $9.2m recovery funding two years on from cyclone Seroja

The State Government will provide an extra $9.2 million to help the 16 local governments still picking up the pieces after cyclone Seroja hit almost two years ago.

The funding comes on the verge of the second anniversary of the devastating cyclone that tore through the region in April 2021.

These local governments are now eligible to receive up to $500,000 each to boost resilience and help the recovery of destroyed homes, tarnished businesses and unstable infrastructure.

“These programs are focused on enabling local governments to lead their own ongoing recovery while strengthening their ability to respond to natural disasters in the future,” Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said.

“Events like cyclone Seroja are becoming increasingly frequent, which is why it is critically important that good systems and infrastructure are in place.”

In addition to the $500,000 available to the local governments, the five areas worst affected are eligible for an extra $1.2 million under the Community Benefit Fund.

The Shire of Northampton was hit the hardest and will receive an extra $400,000. The shires of Chapman Valley, Morawa, Mingenew and Prenjori will be given $200,000 each.

Northampton Shire president Liz Sudlow said the extra funding would play a big role in recovery and stabilising the infrastructure.

“In the lead up to the two-year anniversary of the cyclone, it’s very welcomed news,” she said.

“The Shire of Northampton is the location that received the most damage.

“As far as our local government goes, there’s definitely still work to be done … certainly an emergency evacuation centre is something that is being planned for.”