Temporary worker accommodation part of record disaster recovery to rebuild Mid West after Cyclone Seroja

Temporary worker accommodation will be constructed in the Mid West as part of a new $104.5 million disaster recovery package for communities impacted by Severe Tropical Cyclone Seroja. It is hoped the housing will act as an incentive for the scores of tradies and construction workers that will be required to repair and rebuild the more than 650 homes and businesses damaged or destroyed by the freak weather event. While the majority of the destruction occurred in Kalbarri and Northampton, Seroja cut a swathe across a huge section of the Mid West comprising 16 local governments and 133,000sqkm. Skills shortages across WA have hampered repair efforts and luring labour out of Perth has been a significant barrier to the clean-up. The recovery package – jointly funded by the WA and Commonwealth governments – is the third tranche of financial support and the biggest in the history of the State. Emergency Services Minister Reece Whitby said the two levels of government had reached an “in-principle agreement” to construct the workers accommodation and additional “incentives” for workers were also being discussed. The site of the accommodation has not yet been decided with impacted local governments currently being consulted. The remainder of the cash will be spent providing continued financial support for the repair of community, recreational, cultural and heritage assets as well as to establish a community welfare and outreach program. Grant programs to help residents, farmers and small businesses get back on their feet will also be made available. Mr Whitby described Seroja – which struck in April – as a “devastating event” that was “fairly unique in Western Australian history”. “We don’t get cyclones this far down the coast, we don’t get cyclones in the Mid West and when they hit an area with the savagery of Seroja they cause enormous damage,” he said. “It wasn’t just Kalbarri, it wasn’t just Northampton, it actually reached right into the Mid West (and) into farming communities.” Federal Attorney General and WA Senator Michaelia Cash said government was supporting impacted residents “every step of the way” and the community welfare and outreach program was a particular focus. “You’ve got to look after people, their mental health needs, and sometimes they just need to know there’s someone there who will listen to them,” Ms Cash said.