$100M to bolster infrastructure flood resiliency in WA

$104.9 million worth of betterment works will aim to increase the flood resiliency of roads in Western Australia’s Kimberley region.

The funding – which is being jointly funded by the Federal and State governments aspart of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) – is through the Infrastructure Betterment Program, the first of its kind in Western Australia.

Works undertaken through the Infrastructure Betterment Program will complement the estimated $450 million repair and rebuild works underway on flood-damaged roads and bridges – also jointly funded by both governments.

The recently opened Fitzroy River Bridge was the first project to be completed under the program, with upgrades to damaged sections of the Great Northern Highway and Gibb River Road also underway.

Betterment works will decrease the repetitious damage to flood-prone essential public assets and lower future reconstruction costs, saving money for all levels of government and alleviating disruption to the community in the long term.

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The program will also support the betterment of impacted local government road networks to safeguard against future natural hazards.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said the Federal and State government would work together to deliver disaster recovery funding initiatives when needed.”

“In less than 12 months since the devastating flooding event cut off communities, this betterment program is already seeing essential road infrastructure built back stronger and more resilient,” Watt said.

“The program is about helping to improve the public road network and other critical assets so communities aren’t impacted as severely when more frequent weather events strike.”

WA Minister for Transport, Rita Saffioti thanked the Federal Government’s support.

“The Kimberley floods were absolutely devastating, but to see infrastructure rebuilt to a stronger standard so they can withstand future severe weather events will be absolutely critical to the region’s resilience,” Saffioti said.