More than 12 months on, recovery continues from the Wooroloo Bushfire that burnt more than 10,000 hectares and caused extensive damage to properties within the City of Swan and Shire of Mundaring. With the clean-up of damaged and destroyed properties complete, community recovery continues to rebuild social connections and individual wellbeing.
On behalf of the State Government, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services continues to work alongside the City of Swan, Shire of Mundaring, Department of Communities and Australian Red Cross to support communities to recover and rebuild. Recovery is a long road, and everyone is on their own journey.
You can access Wooroloo Bushfire recovery information, initiatives and the latest news below.
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.
You don’t have to navigate through the process of recovery post-Seroja by yourself. The Recovery Support Sessions will involve specialists in different areas that can provide advice catered to people’s individual circumstances. Homeowners, small business operators, heritage owners and primary producers can drop in or make an appointment to speak with insurance, rebuilding, legal, and recovery grants specialists.
Northampton Community Centre
Monday 23 May, 11:30am to 4:30pm
Wednesday 25 May, 12:30pm to 6pm
Call 0459 956 174 to book an appointment
Kalbarri Golf Club
Tuesday 24 May, 9:00am to 5:00pm
Call 0459 954 041 to book an appointment
Geraldton QE II Centre
Thursday 26 May, 9:30am to 4:30pm
Call 0448 354 239 to book an appointment
The Cultural and Heritage Asset Clean-up and Repair Grant, is available to eligible owners and operators to assist with costs to clean-up and restore significant cultural and heritage sites. The grant can reimburse up to $20,000 of the cost of work undertaken.
Community Recovery Officers at your local Recovery Hub are able to walk you through the application process and answer any questions you may have or contact the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.
For more details:
Primary producers whose properties sustained damaged from Cyclone Seroja may be eligible for a grant of up to $25,000.
The grants are available to reimburse clean-up costs, such as the removal and disposal of debris, damaged infrastructure and equipment, deceased livestock; salvaging crops; and repairing damaged infrastructure and equipment.
Community Recovery Officers at your local Recovery Hub are able to walk you through the application process and answer any questions you may have or contact the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Read about how a Primary Producer Recovery Grant has assisted Ofelia and her husband on their farm near Mullewa.
Are you a homeowner who incurred clean-up or repair work costs because your insurance policy did not cover the total amount?
You may be eligible for a reimbursement of some or all of the gap amount up to $20,000.
Evidence including documentation from your insurer is required and any building works involved in the application must be undertaken by a registered builder or registered business.
Call, email, or pop in for a chat with your community recovery officer to ask any questions you have and learn what support is available to you and your neighbours.
For more details:
If you are a small business owner whose property sustained damaged from Cyclone Seroja read about a reimbursement grant available to you. 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.
While these grants are reimbursement grants, small businesses that do not have the money upfront to spend on clean up or replacement items, are able to apply for up to $15,000 to cover these costs by providing quotes.
Community Recovery Officers at your local Recovery Hub are able to walk you through the application process and answer any questions you may have or contact the Small Business Development Corporation.
Read about how a Small Business Recovery Grant has assisted Kalbarri Boat Hire and Canoe Safaris.
Building better will provide communities greater resilience against future cyclones.
While some insurance policies will not cover building works that improve the resilience of residential properties, you may be able to have some of that extra cost reimbursed through a Resilience Grant up to $20,000.
A number of building works are covered by this grant including the installation of roof structure tie-down upgrades or window protections including cyclone shutters or debris screens. The replacement of garage doors and frames with wind rated garage doors and the replacement of external hollow core doors with solid external grade doors can also be reimbursed.
Work must be undertaken by a registered business for the insured homeowner to be eligible for a reimbursement. Call, email, or pop in for a chat with your community recovery officer to ask any questions you have and learn what support is available to you and your neighbours.
For more details:
Phone the Department of Communities’ Disaster Response Hotline on 1800 032 965 if you are experiencing personal hardship or distress as a direct result of the cyclone.
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.
Have a chat with your local recovery officers in person, by phone or email.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by potential legal issues around finances, insurance claims, temporary accommodation and loan repayments contact Legal Aid on 1300 650 579.
Assistance is available to people experiencing personal hardship and distress as a result of the cyclone.
Property owners affected by Severe Tropical Cyclone Seroja have new options for constructing sheds following a temporary change to WA’s builder registration rules.
The Temporary Accommodation for Workers Program will increase the availability of accommodation for non-regional based builders and labourers so they can stay in the region while undertaking rebuilding activities.
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.
The State Government’s Construction Training Fund (CTF) have introduced a Disaster Recovery Construction Training Grant, designed to support communities affected by Cyclone Seroja.
Psychological First Aid
Natural disasters can affect your usual coping strategies. If you are finding you are not coping as well as you normally would, the Australian Red Cross is here to help you. Please pop into one of the recovery hubs and have a chat with the Australian Red Cross staff member. Staff can offer psychological assistance and information on other local support services available.
The Australian Red Cross is providing support to cyclone impacted community members through the Community Welfare and Outreach Program funded through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Relationship and Community Services
Pop in for a coffee catch up at a local café in Northampton, Kalbarri or Morawa and have an informal chat with a Centacare counsellor.
Northampton Centacare Coffee Catchups
Every Tuesday at Shearing Shed Café, 198 Hampton Road.
Kalbarri Centacare Coffee Catchups
Every Thursday at Gorges Café, 6/166 Grey Street.
Morawa Centacare Coffee Catchups
Call Centacare Family Services for details – 9921 1433.
Moneycare Financial Capability Service
Financial troubles can be a major source of stress. If you would like help to get your finances under control, The Salvation Army’s Moneycare service focuses on early intervention and can assist you with working towards practical solutions and reducing your stress. Chat with the recovery hub staff to find out more.
Family and Domestic Violence Support
If you are experiencing family and domestic violence DVassist can help. DVassist offers anonymous, confidential and free phone and web chat counselling services seven days a week. Chat with the recovery hub staff to find out more, or call DV assist directly on 1800 455 174 or web chat via www.dvassist.org.au
Domestic Violence, Health and Wellbeing Support
Desert Blue Connect offers a wide range of services to individuals and families in the Mid West region. This includes specialist domestic and family violence, and health and wellbeing services. The services are confidential and appropriate to the needs of women, children and men. Staff from Desert Blue Connect are based fortnightly at the Northampton and Morawa recovery hubs. Chat with the recovery hub staff to find out more.
You can stay up to date by joining the DFES Cyclone Seroja Recovery Facebook Group to read about recovery events, activities and programs.
The Department of Communities is supporting people affected by Cyclone Seroja. For more information visit Department of Communities - Cyclone Seroja Page
The Department of Communities is supporting people affected by Cyclone Seroja. For more information visit the SBDC Cyclone Seroja Page.
For information about planning and repairing heritage listed sites please visit the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage - Cyclone Seroja Page
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is assisting Western Australian primary industries affected by the impact of Tropical Cyclone Seroja. For more information visit the DPIRD Cyclone Seroja page.
Building and Energy WA provides helpful information about engaging builders and obtaining building permits. For more information visit the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety website at https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/building-and-energy
The Insurance Council of Australia is the representative body of the general insurance industry in Australia. If you'd like to speak to the Insurance Council of Australia or your insurer about your Cyclone Seroja claim visit the Insurance Council of Australia website to request a phone call.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by potential legal issues around finances, insurance claims, temporary accommodation and loan repayments, as a result of Cyclone Seroja, please contact Legal Aid for advice. You can call Legal Aid on 1300 650 579 or send an email to naturaldisasters@legalaid.wa.gov.au.
Visit the Legal Aid website for information on services available.
AFCA offers free and accessible insurance dispute resolution services to consumers and small businesses impacted by Cyclone Seroja. For assistance you can call 1800 931 678 or visit https://www.afca.org.au/news/significant-events/tropical-cyclone-seroja
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.
DFES coordinates services for a range of natural disasters and emergency incidents threatening people and properties.
In emergency situations your local Council provides advice to residents and businesses, including support available from other government agencies.
The Department of Health connect the public to health services and information including safety and first aid, emergency contacts and health related news.
Red Cross volunteers support communities recovering from disasters. They assist with getting help, looking after yourself and coping after a crisis.
Lifeline are on call to provide emotional and psychological support to those who are impacted my emergency situations.
Contact your insurer to report loss or damage to your property and belongings. Also, check that your insurance contract covers cleaning or repair contractors.
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.
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.
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.
If you lost power during a flood, fire, cyclone or other emergency, the food in your fridge may go off after two hours.
Drinking water, water tanks and swimming pools can become polluted following a fire, flood or other emergency.
Wastewater after cyclones or floods may enter your septic tank and cause your toilet to block up and can cause pungent smells.
