Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements WA
Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFAWA) have been activated to provide assistance to residents and businesses impacted by Ex Tropical Cyclone Ellie and associated flooding, including pastoral enterprises.
The assistance is available in the local government areas of Derby-West Kimberley, Broome, Wyndham-East Kimberley and Halls Creek.
The funding provides assistance for specific recovery activities for eligible primary producers.
The DRFAWA is administered by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES). The primary producer assistance measures are managed by the DPIRD on behalf of DFES.
To see the full range of primary producer assistance click here.
Environment, Heritage, and Culture Assets Flexible Grants Program
The Environment, Heritage, and Culture Assets Flexible Grants Program is available for flood recovery projects to clean-up, rehabilitate and monitor the long-term impacts of affected environmental, heritage and cultural assets.
The grants are available for incorporated community groups, Prescribed Bodies Corporate, non-government organisations, registered charities, primary producers (including pastoral leaseholders and horticulturalists) and government agencies to support flood recovery in Western Australia’s Kimberley region.
The grants are also available for on-country activities that enable Traditional Owners to reconnect with Country that has been impacted by flooding.
The program offers two grant categories:
- a small grant category of up to $100,000*
- a large grant category of up to $500,000.
*Grants to assist with costs associated with clean-up and restoration of a heritage building is capped at $50,000.
Find out more about the program, including eligibility and assessment criteria, in the program guidelines. You can apply online here at SmartyGrants.
This grants program is jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (category D).
Note: The full name for the program is AGRN1044 Ex TC Ellie and Associated Flooding - Environment, Heritage, and Culture Assets Flexible Grants Program.
Primary Producer Recovery Grant
Primary Producer Recovery Grant applications now open for Kimberley and Pilbara pastoralists
The Primary Producer Recovery Grants Program assists with the clean-up costs of businesses that sustained:
- damage from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie and associated flooding
- damage from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ilsa.
The program provides primary producers in the Kimberley and Pilbara financial assistance to help reinstate operations.
The grant provides reimbursement of up to a maximum of $75,000 to eligible applicants.
You can find more about the program, including eligibility and assessment criteria in the program guideline. Use the application form to apply or visit your local government recovery hub/office or outreach teams to apply in person.
Applications close: 30 June 2024.
The program is jointly funded by the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements – Category D
Note: This grant relates to AGRN1044 Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie and Associated Flooding and AGRN1059 Tropical Cyclone Ilsa.
Freight Assistance Program - closing 31 December 2023
A freight assistance program to reduce freight costs for Kimberley businesses impacted by the flood is available until 5pm on 31 December 2023.
If you are a business or transport operator freighting goods to or from the Kimberley, you may be eligible for a freight assistance grant.
Assistance rates, eligibility and application process are available in the guidelines and frequently asked questions (FAQs).
The Freight Assistance Program is jointly funded through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
For other support and information please see the Emergency WA webpage Kimberley flood recovery information.
An industry webinar regarding freight assistance was hosted on 15 March 2023, which answered questions on applying for the program. The recording is approximatlely 45 minutes, view via the link below:
Industry webinar on Freight Assistance Program
Slides from webinar on Freight Assistance Program
Other support available
Rent Relief for Pastoralists
Pastoralists in the Kimberley can apply for rent relief. On the recommendation of the Pastoral Lands Board (PLB), the Minister for Lands may allow a payment of rent for a pastoral lease to be delayed for a specified period or reduced or waived entirely where the lease has been adversely affected by drought, fire, cyclone, flood, or other disaster (section 128 of the Land Administration Act 1997 (LAA)). Each pastoral lessee has to make an individual application to the PLB.
Pastoralists are asked to send an email to plb@plb.wa.gov.au
Financial support and wellbeing
DPIRD acknowledges the distress to Kimberley residents caused by the flooding. Links to a range of financial, family and wellbeing support are available in the Rural Support Services Directory.
Kimberley Aboriginal business and jobseeker support services
The WA Government has a range of Aboriginal business development and employment services to assist those affected by the recent Kimberley flood. The services are available to any Aboriginal business, organisation, community or person in the region.
This page provides a list of procurement, management and tender support services to help Kimberley-based businesses grow and succeed. Jobseekers can also access a range of culturally sensitive training, employment and career support services which include advice, assistance and access to job search boards.
State Support Plan for Animal Welfare in Emergencies
As part of the response to the flood, the State Support Plan for Animal Welfare in Emergencies was activated, which enabled DPIRD to lead the coordination of response efforts related to animal welfare.
The plan was implemented in association with Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) and in liaison with stakeholders, including the Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen’s Association (KPCA), and Local Government Authorities.
This included DPIRD working with DFES and the KPCA to supply hay at the request of affected pastoral businesses.