Recovery - Emergency WA Warnings & Incidents

ACTIVE RECOVERIES

The February 2021 Wooroloo bushfire burnt over 10,000 hectares and caused extensive damage to properties within the City of Swan and Shire of Mundaring. Homes have been damaged and lost, essential services impacted, and social networks affected – resulting in many people in need of support.

The State Government is working with the two affected local governments to help communities recover and rebuild. Here you can find out about Wooroloo bushfire recovery initiatives and access latest news. In addition, general bushfire recovery advice and information is provided.

In addition to the above, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services website provides a wealth of information on recovering from a bushfire. We also encourage residents affected by the bushfire to visit their local government website: City of Swan and Shire of Mundaring to access additional support services and information.

Paul Southam, DFES Program Manager, Recovery and Resilience Grants, speaking with affected residents

Are you rebuilding a home or property that was damaged by Cyclone Seroja?

Are you living in Northampton or Kalbarri?

Then join our community meeting about everything you need to know to rebuild – bring your questions and tell us what you’re experiencing.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services, Master Builders Association of WA, the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety and the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage want to hear your experiences, answer your questions and provide information to help you rebuild.

When are where?

Northampton – Tuesday 7 December
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Northampton Community Centre, 52 Harvey Road, Northampton

Kalbarri – Wednesday 8 December
1:30pm – 3:30pm and 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Kalbarri Golf Club, Haselby Street, Kalbarri

Recovery and Resilience Grants for Insured Residents
The Recovery and Resilience Grants Program offers two types of grants, up to a total of $20,000, to help insured homeowners impacted by Cyclone Seroja. The Recovery Grant can help with clean-up and repair works, and the Resilience Grant can help you build back better against future cyclones.

Further information:
Web: dfes.wa.gov.au/recoveryandresiliencegrants
Email: serojainfo@dfes.wa.gov.au
Phone: 1800 490 678

The Recovery and Resilience Grants Program is jointly funded through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Primary Producer Recovery Grant
The Primary Producers Recovery Grant, of up to $25,000, is available to assist with clean-up costs. It covers activities such as the removal and disposal of debris, damaged infrastructure and equipment, deceased livestock; salvaging crops; and repairing damaged infrastructure and equipment.

Further information:
Web: https://agric.smartygrants.com.au/AGRN965_Primary_Producer_Recovery
Email: RuralBusiness.DevelopmentUnit@dpird.wa.gov.au

The Primary Producer Recovery Grant Program is jointly funded through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Measures to Assist Primary Producers
Relief measures are available for primary producers whose assets or business has been affected by Cyclone Seroja. Assistance measures include reimbursement grants for professional advice, freight subsidy, fencing (for livestock producers only) and expression of Interest for interest subsidy on a new loan to recover.

Further information:
Web: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/emergency-response/disaster-recovery-funding-arrangements
Email: RuralBusiness.DevelopmentUnit@dpird.wa.gov.au

These measures for primary producers are jointly funded through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Small Business Recovery Grant
The Small Business Recovery Grant, of up to $25,000, is available to eligible small businesses to assist with the clean-up of cyclone related debris.

Further information:
Web: smallbusiness.wa.gov.au/seroja
Email: grants@smallbusiness.wa.gov.au
Phone: 133 140

The Small Business Recovery Grant Program is jointly funded through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Cultural and Heritage Asset Clean-up and Repair Grant Program
The Cultural and Heritage Asset Clean-up and Repair Grant, of up $20,000, is available to eligible owners and operators to assist with costs to clean-up and restore significant cultural and heritage sites.

Further information:
Web: https://dfes.smartygrants.com.au/DPLHCR
Email: heritagesupport@dplh.wa.gov.au
Phone: (08) 6551 9993

The Cultural and Heritage Asset Repair Grant Program is jointly funded through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Western Power Relief Package
The State Government is providing Cyclone Seroja electricity relief packages.

Western Power’s Extended Outage Payment
If you have been affected you can apply for the Extended Outage Payment by visiting westernpower.com.au

Western Power’s Extended Outage Payment
The State Government is providing $1,000 payments to eligible customers who have been waiting for network repairs since May 24. If you have been disconnected from the grid since April 12, visit westernpower.com.au for eligibility and to apply.

Call 13 13 51 for application support. Payments will be administered from July 2021.

Water Corporation Relief Package
The State Government is providing Cyclone Seroja water relief packages. If you have been affected you can apply for a range of assistance.

Further information:
Web: watercorporation.com.au/serojarelief
Phone: 13 13 85

Clean-up assistance for uninsured residents
Assistance is available for eligible uninsured residents for the removal of disaster related debris from their homes to make them safe and habitable. Debris must be directly impacting the home. This assistance is not intended to cover non-essential debris beyond the immediate vicinity of the residential property. In some cases assistance may be available for the demolition of uninsured homes that have been destroyed or significantly damaged.

If your uninsured home was impacted by Tropical Cyclone Seroja, is in an activated Local Government Area, and you would like clean-up assistance register your interest via the Department of Fire and Emergency Services website.

The clean-up assistance for uninsured residents is jointly funded through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Community and Recreational Asset Clean-up and Restoration Program
The Community and Recreational Asset Clean-up and Restoration Program funds the repair of damaged local government community and recreational sites and structures, as well as sites in State Government-managed national parks and reserves. Eligible sites and structures such as walking trails and boardwalks, camp sites and day use sites, interpretive signage, beachside shelters, roads and carparks will be repaired under this program.

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the local governments will deliver the Community and Recreational Asset Clean-up and Restoration Program.

The Community and Recreational Asset Clean-up and Restoration Program is jointly funded through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Temporary builder registration exemption for sheds
Property owners affected by Severe Tropical Cyclone Seroja have new options for constructing sheds following a temporary change to WA’s builder registration rules. WA’s building regulator, Building and Energy, has announced that certain sheds can now be constructed in the next three years without the builder having to be a registered building contractor. The exemption only applies to sheds valued at up to $40,000 in the local government areas of Chapman Valley, Greater Geraldton and Northampton. Building permit applications must be made on or before 1 October 2024.

Further information:
Read: Building and Energy Industry Bulletin 142
Phone: 1300 489 099
Email: be.info@dmirs.wa.gov.au

WHAT YOU CAN DO AFTER AN EMERGENCY?

Experiencing an emergency can be traumatic and exhausting; it’s normal to feel unsettled for a while. Returning to normal life may feel far off, but there are a number of things you can do and people you can turn to for help.

Seek support from family and friends, you don’t need to go through this alone.
Contact your insurance company, they may be able to help you with crisis accommodation, food and incidentals.
If you need to chat or you’re struggling, Lifeline provide crisis support calls on 13 11 14. You can reach them 24/7 or visit the Lifeline website for resources.
Look out for organisations such as the Australian Red Cross who may be offering community support and assistance.
Before cleaning up after a flood, storm, fire or other emergency, protect yourself and check for hazards.

who can help after an emergency?

There are professionals ready to help you through all aspects of recovery, from assisting with immediate food and shelter needs, to ensuring you get any necessary medical attention.

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES (DFES)

DFES coordinates services for a range of natural disasters and emergency incidents threatening people and properties.

Visit DFES

YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT

In emergency situations your local Council provides advice to residents and businesses, including support available from other government agencies.

VISIT MYCOUNCIL

THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

The Department of Health connect the public to health services and information including safety and first aid, emergency contacts and health related news.

Visit Healthy WA

AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS

Red Cross volunteers support communities recovering from disasters. They assist with getting help, looking after yourself and copying after a crisis.

VISIT AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS

LIFELINE

Lifeline are on call to provide emotional and psychological support to those who are impacted my emergency situations.

VISIT LIFELINE

YOUR INSURER

Contact your insurer to report loss or damage to your property and belongings. Also, check that your insurance contract covers cleaning or repair contractors.

Visit Insurance Council

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR AFTER AN EMERGENCY

HOUSEHOLD CLEANUP

After a flood or storm, small things may be more challenging, such as disposing of waste, reviving spoiled furniture and belongings and dealing with dirt, mould and mildew.

Top Tips

Before cleaning up, cover any open cuts and wounds with waterproof dressings.
Remove all wet items such as floor coverings and bedding.
Spray furniture with disinfectant and dry in sun.
Take photographs and make a list for insurance claims.

View more household clean-up tips on the Healthy WA website.

RECOVERING FROM A FIRE

After receiving advice from emergency services that you can return home after a fire, you will want to start getting your home and property back in order as soon as possible.

Top Tips

Stay alert and be aware of fallen trees, smouldering stumps and hot spots.
Arrange for your utilities to be tested and repaired if needed.
If you are insured, contact your insurer to see if you are covered for emergency accommodation if needed.

Alternatively visit HealthDirect for crisis accommodation contacts.

HAZARDS

When cleaning up after a cyclone, flood, fire or other disasters you need to be careful of asbestos, spilled poisons, chemicals and pesticides, mosquitos, snakes and rodents.

Top Tips

Do not enter your property until you have been told it is safe.
Wear protective shoes, gloves and clothes.
Avoid stagnant water where mosquitos may breed.
Call 000 if chemicals are spilled.

View more hazard safety tips on the Healthy WA website.

FOOD SAFETY

If you lost power during a flood, fire, cyclone or other emergency, the food in your fridge may go off after two hours.

Top Tips

Throw perishable food out if hasn’t been refrigerated for two hours.
Wash plates or utensils exposed to floodwater with hot soapy water.
Check that your garden veggies/herbs aren’t contaminated before eating.

View more food safety tips on the Healthy WA website.

WATER SAFETY

Drinking water, water tanks and swimming pools can become polluted following a fire, flood or other emergency.

Top Tips

Boil water before drinking or cooking.
Drain or disinfect contaminated rainwater tanks.
Empty or chlorinate swimming pools.

View more water safety tips on the Healthy WA website.

WASTEWATER

Wastewater after cyclones or floods may enter your septic tank and cause your toilet to block up and can cause pungent smells.

Top Tips

Clean and disinfect anything contaminated.
Call a professional to inspect and repair your system.
Call a doctor if you experience any illness.

View more wastewater tips on the Healthy WA website.