emergency.wa.gov.au
Geraldton to host Seroja recovery session to increase access to specialists
Tuesday 17 May 2022
Upcoming State recovery support sessions in Geraldton, Northampton and Kalbarri will provide the opportunity for cyclone impacted homeowners, businesses, primary producers and heritage-asset owners to speak face-to-face with industry and government recovery experts.
It is the first time sessions with industry specialists from insurance, legal, building and State and local governments have been made available in Geraldton under the one roof.
Cyclone Seroja State Recovery Controller Melissa Pexton said including Geraldton was crucial to the recovery of the Mid West community.
“Geraldton is a vital cog for all the surrounding communities in the area and by offering an opportunity to speak with recovery specialists we hope some of the outlying south-eastern communities will make an appointment to get the support they need,” Ms Pexton said
“With more than 250 properties and 45 small businesses throughout the City of Greater Geraldton affected by the cyclone, we anticipate there are many people who would like to speak with the experts.”
In February, the Seroja Recovery team conducted similar sessions in Mingenew, Morawa, Perenjori, Mullewa, Northampton and Nabawa.
Ms Pexton said the positive results from that tour reinforced the importance of having experts visit the region.
“For me, the most compelling statistics from that tour were that even 10 months on from Cyclone Seroja crossing the coast, more than 100 families attended and nearly 50 per cent of them were enquiring about recovery support for the first time,” she said.
“No matter what question the community has about recovery, our focus is to offer access to recovery specialists who can provide information to assist their recovery journey.”
The tour will begin on Monday 23 May and travel between Kalbarri and Northampton before heading to Geraldton on 26 May.
Recovery Tour Details:
MONDAY 23 MAY
Northampton
Northampton Community Centre
Harvey Road Northampton
11.30am-4.30pm
Appointments and walk-ins
Bookings: Samantha at the Northampton Community Recovery Hub 0459 956 174
SerojaNorthampton@dfes.wa.gov.au
TUESDAY 24 MAY
Kalbarri
Kalbarri Golf Club
Hasleby Street Kalbarri
9am-5pm
Appointments and walk-ins
Bookings: Andrea at the Kalbarri Community Recovery Hub 0459 954 041
WEDNESDAY 25 MAY
Northampton
Northampton Community Centre
Harvey Road Northampton
12.30pm-6pm
Appointments and walk-ins
Bookings: Samantha at the Northampton Community Recovery Hub 0459 956 174
SerojaNorthampton@dfes.wa.gov.au
THURSDAY 26 MAY
Geraldton
QEII Seniors and Community Centre
Durlacher Street Geraldton
9.30am-4.30pm
Appointments and walk-ins
BOOKINGS: Anita at the Geraldton Community Recovery Hub 0448 354 239
SerojaGeraldton@dfes.wa.gov.au
Representatives from the following partner agencies will be in attendance:
- Department of Fire and Emergency Services – Recovery and Resilience Grants Team
- Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage – Heritage Grants Team
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Primary Producer Grants Team
- Local Government Representatives
- Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety – Consumer Protection
- Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety – Building and Energy
- Legal Aid
- Master Builders Association
- Rural West – Financial and Business Advisors
- Department of Communities
- Red Cross
- Insurance Council Australia
Visit emergency.wa.gov.au/recovery to find out more about Cyclone Seroja recovery assistance.
Media Contact: DFES Media and Corporate Communications 9395 9543
