Member for Geraldton, Kirrilee Warr MLA, has called for the State Government to invest towards projects in the Geraldton electorate assisting in the event of natural disasters.
The Shire of Northampton has recently commenced its detailed design process for the Kalbarri Multipurpose Evacuation and Community Centre.
Ms Warr said five years on from Cyclone Seroja, and those communities were still vulnerable.
“Kalbarri residents bore the brunt of Seroja, but after five years the State Government has only put money towards planning,” she said.
“The Nationals WA promised to deliver the evacuation centre ahead of the 2025 election, with $7m committed through Royalties for Regions, and Labor’s promise of a mere $250,000 followed in those footsteps.
“Now the Cook Labor Government must ensure this facility is built by committing funding in the upcoming State budget.
“As it stands, people in Kalbarri are left with little options in the event of emergencies and this needs to change.”
Meanwhile the Shire of Chapman Valley has been seeking further funding for its multipurpose emergency community center.
“The Shire for a number of years has appealed to all levels of Government regarding this project, noting costs have exponentially increased for the project due to inflation and cost of building in the regions,” she said.
“Just two years ago, Labor backed this project with some funding, but nothing has been done to help the shire since.”
While Cyclone Narelle’s path avoided danger for the Geraldton electorate, Ms. Warr warned the region needed more fit for purpose infrastructure to be prepared.
“TC Narelle highlighted that our electorate has learned lessons from the past with an advanced coordinated plan but still lacks the infrastructure to feel better prepared for severe weather events,” she said.
“Communities in Kalbarri and Chapman Valley were promised much following Cyclone Seroja and need these facilities to assist with emergency response.”