Wooroloo Fires
Inquiry into devastating Wooroloo Bushfire - 13 August 2021
The State Government has launched an independent review into the devastating Wooroloo Bushfire which destroyed 86 homes.
The inquiry will be led by the Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council (AFAC), which recently conducted an independent review into the Tasmanian bushfires.
Submissions will be invited from August 20, 2021, and will close on September 24, 2021.
More on the announcement here: https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2021/08/Inquiry-into-devastating-Wooroloo-Bushfire.aspx
Wooroloo bushfire recovery six months on - 4 August 2021
This week marks six-months since the devastating Wooroloo bushfire, which ripped through the local government areas of Swan and Mundaring burning over 10,000 hectares, destroying 86 properties and damaging many more.
The coordinated residential clean-up program is now over 82 per cent complete thanks to an $18.1 million jointly funded recovery package and the consistent hard work of clean-up contractors.
The program is overseen by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, in collaboration with the City of Swan, the Shire of Mundaring, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and the Department of Communities.
The clean-up is expected to be completed by the end of August.
More on the announcement here: https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2021/08/Joint-media-statement-Wooroloo-bushfire-recovery-six-months-on.aspx
More on the announcement here: https://bit.ly/3pRWPKL “
MESSAGE OF SUPPORT FROM SWAN HILLS MLA JESSICA SHAW - 10 February 2021
Our community has just experienced one of the worst bushfires in living memory. From Wooroloo through to Bullsbrook, there’s not a town in Swan Hills that hasn’t been affected in some way by the fires.
As a community, we all extend our deepest sympathies to those local families who have lost their homes or incurred damage to their properties.
We are all deeply grateful for the remarkable efforts of our firefighters and first responders – your tireless work has saved so many lives and properties. We also acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the volunteers and workers staffing the evacuation centres, who made us all feel welcomed, supported and informed.
Thanks also to so many individuals and businesses across our community who are now rallying around to support those who have lost so much – you’re amazing!
Over the coming weeks and months, people across our community will need a range of supports and services. I’ve put together a list of government agencies and programs that can provide support.
As always, my office is on hand to provide whatever assistance we can. Please call on 9296 7688 or email Jessica.shaw@mp.wa.gov.au This information is available on my webpage: jessicashaw.com.au/wooroloofires
DISASTER RESPONSE HOTLINE 1800 032 965
The Department of Communities has set up a Disaster Response hotline:
Call 1800 032 965.
DISASTER RELIEF AUSTRALIA (02) 8072 9130
Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) unites the skills and experiences of Australian Defence Force veterans, emergency responders and civilians to rapidly deploy disaster relief teams domestically and around the globe.
RECOVERY CENTRES
Department of Communities staff are on hand at the Percy Cullen Oval Recovery Centre in Gidgegannup to provide assistance and referrals to agencies and support.
STATE GOVERNMENT DISASTER RELIEF PAYMENTS
The State Government is providing $4000 payments to those who have lost their homes. A partial payment is available to those whose properties were affected with each case assessed as a request is made. Contact Shire of Mundaring on 9290 6666 or the City of Swan on 9267 9267 to apply.
DFES DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDING
A range of supports and funding is available for individuals and businesses through this fund. More information can be found at: https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/recovery/Pages/DRFA-WA.aspx
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT DISASTER RECOVERY PAYMENTS
https://www.disasterassist.gov.au/
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) provides one-off financial assistance to eligible Australians adversely affected by the bushfires of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child. More information can be found under Major events: Western Australia (Wooroloo) Bushfires.
Lodge a claim under the Services Australia link: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/western-australian-bushfires-february-2021-australian-government-disaster-recovery-payment
LORD MAYORS DISTRESS RELIEF FUND
This fund provides financial assistance to individuals for the alleviation and relief of distress, suffering and personal hardships following disasters. To apply, visit https://appealswa.org.au/apply-for-assistance/
MIDLAS BUSHFIRE CRISIS SERVICE
Midlas offers anyone impacted by the fire:
- Assistance to access Insurance, process claims and find out entitlements
- Assistance to access government payments and relief packages
- Free accommodation in hotels/ family cabins while claims are being processed
- Support with food relief, clothing vouchers, and reestablishment costs.
The Midlas team is on hand at the Recovery Centres. www.midlas.org.au
STATE GOVERNMENT POWER OUTAGE PAYMENTS DOUBLED
The State Government has doubled the outage payment available through Western Power.
Apply here: https://www.westernpower.com.au/faults-outages/make-a-claim/extended-outage/
TELSTRA ASSISTANCE
Telstra has announced an assistance package for its residential and small business customers who have lost services due to Wooroloo fires. Call 1800 888 888, enter your phone or mobile number and talk to Telstra’s teams to find out how they can help.
BANKING RELIEF
Retail banks are providing relief. Contact your bank to understand what supports are available for you.
INSURANCE COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA
The ICA can provide advice insurance advice: https://www.insurancecouncil.com.au/
OTHER INFORMATION FOR SPECIFIC SUPPORT SERVICES
City of Swan Bushfire 2021 dashboard at https://www.swan.wa.gov.au/Your-Services/Emergency-management/Fire/Bushfire-2021-dashboard
Shire of Mundaring Wooroloo Fire tab at https://www.mundaring.wa.gov.au/Wooroloo-Fire/Pages/default.aspx
Stay safe and well and continue to support one another. Together, we’ll get through this and thanks for being such an amazing community!!
