Hundreds of desperate residents, frustrated at how slowly their homes are being repaired after Cyclone Seroja, hope an initiative to entice more tradespeople to the Midwest will speed up the rebuilding process.
Key points:
- More than 2,400 properties have been in need of repair since Cyclone Seroja hit in April
- Rebuilding has been hampered by a lack of accommodation for tradespeople
- 30 two-bedroom units, plus several caravans, will now house out-of-town tradespeople
Eight months after the cyclone tore through the region, many home owners are still waiting for insurance approvals, and for builders to carry out repair work.
Some have been forced out of their badly damaged houses entirely, while others remain in their homes hoping tarpaulins and temporary repairs will hold up to the weather.
One of the biggest impediments to the rebuilding process has been that tradespeople have struggled to find accommodation in the cyclone-affected areas, hampering progress for the 2,400 residential homes and structures in need of repair.
But it is hoped a new temporary accommodation initiative for out-of-town builders and tradespeople will change that.
30 units, multiple caravans
Acting Minister for Emergency Services Reece Whitby announced the initiative would include 30 two-bedroom units at Kalbarri Riverview Holiday Apartments, and several caravans in Northampton, Mingenew, Morawa and Perenjori.
“We know that a lot of work is coming,” he said.
“There’s an insurance process to go through, so there’s a pipeline of work which is maybe slow to begin with as people get assessments and insurances approved.
Long-awaited news
Northampton Shire chief executive Garry Keeffe said the accommodation was sorely needed.
“It’s been a long time coming so thank goodness this accommodation is now available,” Mr Keeffe said.
The accommodation is jointly funded by Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
