Western Australian Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangement (W
MEDIA RELEASE - Western Australian Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangement (WANDRRA)
March 2015
The bushfire that impacted the towns of Northcliffe and Walpole in the Shire of Manjimup was declared an eligible disaster under WANDRAA by the Premier of Western Australia, the Hon. Colin Barnett MLA.Premier Barnett, who visited the region to offer his support and gain a better understanding of the impact of the bushfire, made the announcement to the Community Meeting held in Pemberton on Friday 6 February.
WANDRRA is designed to assist with the recovery of communities whose social, financial and economic well-being has been severely affected by a natural disaster.
"There are guidelines and criteria associated with WANDRAA funding, which means that some of the personal losses that have occurred due to the fire are not eligible for funding or cost recovery," said Cr DeCampo. The costs resulting from the bushfire event that are identified as potentially eligible, are those associated with the restoration and replacement of essential public assets such as the local and state road network. The funding will also go towards the clean-up of Local and State Government owned property.
"One way of looking at it is that community members won't have to forgo most of the initiatives that were planned for their region because of the diversion of budgeted dollars towards the bushfire efforts. The WANDRRA funding will cover most of that, and the Shire's planned projects, particularly capital projects, will still be able to go ahead," explained Cr DeCampo.
Specific costs that are not covered by WANDRRA are compensation for losses suffered, assistance where reasonable insurance arrangements could have been obtained and covering organisations 'normal costs' such as salaries and wages.
"I don't want people who have been effected by the fire not to lose hope - we're pursuing other ways to help the community, whether it's through state funded initiatives to bring the communities back to their former glory, or via the donations received by the Shire - we're here for you," said Cr DeCampo.
People with concerns are urged to contact the Shire of Manjimup on 9771 7777 or provide feedback via the whiteboard provided at the Recovery Information Centre, located inside the gallery at the Northcliffe Visitor Centre.
-ENDS-
Authorised by Andrew Campbell, Chief Executive Officer, Shire of Manjimup.
Contact: 9771 7777
Contact for comment: Wade DeCampo, Shire President.
Contact: 0427 094 081
Contact Gina Nieuwendyk, Public Relations Officer, Shire of Manjimup
Contact: 9771 7777
