Support offered for recovery of Kimberley flood impacted environmental and cultural assets

September 20, 2023

Culture / Environment / Finance / Government /

The Federal and Western Australian Governments are delivering support for the clean-up, rehabilitation and monitoring of the long-term environmental, heritage and cultural assets impacted by the January floods, through a new joint funded grants program.

The Environment, Heritage and Culture Assets Flexible Grants Program is available for incorporated community groups, non-government organisations, registered charities, primary producers (including pastoral leaseholders and horticulturalists), Prescribed Bodies Corporate, and government agencies to support flood recovery in Western Australia's Kimberley region.

The program offers two grant categories:

small grants of up to $100,000
large grants of up to $500,000

Jointly funded through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), grants will also be made available for on-Country activities that enable Traditional Owners to reconnect with Country that has been impacted by flooding.

The grants program will be delivered by the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, through a cross-agency advisory panel made up of the WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.

Acting Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Brendan O'Connor encouraged those eligible to apply for the grants as flood recovery in the Kimberley moves forward.

Minister O'Connor noted "This assistance will help community organisations undertake clean up and repairs to culturally significant areas.

"As communities recover from the destructive flood and storm events earlier this year, the Commonwealth is continuing to support the Western Australian Government to deliver clean-up efforts and the rehabilitation of flood-damaged areas of cultural importance and environmental significance.

"With these grants we can address longer-term recovery needs for endangered and threatened species, and importantly, ensure that impacted communities remain connected to Country, and continue to care for it."

Western Australian Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said record flooding in the West Kimberley earlier this year has had a severe impact on many of the region's unique and internationally significant environmental and cultural assets.

Minister Dawson added "There are more than 240 significant Aboriginal heritage places in the Fitzroy catchment and along the river, and many have been impacted by the floods.

"These sites are integral to the lives of the Traditional Owners for food, medicine, customary activities and cultural tourism.

"Reconnecting with Country, restoring and cleaning up heritage and conservation sites, and carrying out custodial responsibilities is critical to the wellbeing of Traditional Owners.”

More information about the grant program is available at EmergencyWA - Recovery.

Image: Floods in Kimberley Region, January 2023. Credit: Western Australian Department of Fire and Emergency Services.

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