The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is assisting Western Australian primary industries affected by flooding in the Fitzroy River catchment, as part of a whole-of-government response to the severe weather event in January 2023.
This flood had a significant impact on stations, livestock, and pastoral enterprises.
Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements Western Australia (DRFAWA) have been activated to help residents and businesses impacted by Cyclones and associated flooding, including pastoral enterprises.
The assistance is available in declared affected local government areas; the funding helps with specific recovery activities for eligible primary producers.
The DRFAWA is administered by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES). The primary producer assistance measures are delivered by DPIRD on behalf of DFES.
Current programs for activated events
A list of current activated events is available on the DFES website.
DFES Recovery funding and activated events
How do I apply?
Applications must be submitted online via the SmartyGrants website.
The Environment, Heritage, and Culture Assets Flexible Grants Program is available for flood recovery projects to clean-up, rehabilitate and monitor the long-term impacts of affected environmental, heritage and cultural assets.
The grants are available for incorporated community groups, Prescribed Bodies Corporate, non-government organisations, registered charities, primary producers (including pastoral leaseholders and horticulturalists) and government agencies to support flood recovery in Western Australia’s Kimberley region.
The grants are also available for on-country activities that enable Traditional Owners to reconnect with Country that has been impacted by flooding.
The program offers two grant categories:
- a small grant category of up to $100,000*
- a large grant category of up to $500,000.
*Grants to assist with costs associated with clean-up and restoration of a heritage building is capped at $50,000.
Find out more about the program, including eligibility and assessment criteria, in the program guidelines.
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Environment, Heritage and Culture Flexible Grants Programpdf (377 KB)
Applications for the program can be submitted online via the SmartyGrants website.
Apply online via the SmartyGrants website
This grants program is jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (category D).
Note: The full name for the program is AGRN1044 Ex TC Ellie and Associated Flooding - Environment, Heritage, and Culture Assets Flexible Grants Program.
Primary Producer Recovery Grant information for all events affecting pastoralists can be found on the DFES website.
Visit the DFES Recovery Funding Assistance measures webpage
The Primary Producer Recovery Grants Program assists with the clean-up costs of businesses affected by one or a combination of specified disasters, including bushfire, earthquake, flood, storm, cyclone, storm surge, landslide, tsunami, meteorite strike, tornado, or a terrorist act.
The program provides primary producers with financial assistance to help reinstate operations.
For further information, including eligibility criteria, please refer to the DRFAWA website for Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions, which provide details about the arrangements and types of assistance measures.
To apply for support under DRFAWA or to find out information such as application opening and closing dates, visit the SmartyGrants website.
These programs are jointly funded by the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Other support available
Pastoralists in the Kimberley can apply for rent relief. On the recommendation of the Pastoral Lands Board (PLB), the Minister for Lands may allow a payment of rent for a pastoral lease to be delayed for a specified period or reduced or waived entirely where the lease has been adversely affected by drought, fire, cyclone, flood, or other disaster (section 128 of the Land Administration Act 1997 (LAA)). Each pastoral lessee has to make an individual application to the PLB.
Pastoralists are asked to email plb@plb.wa.gov.au
DPIRD acknowledges the distress to that can result for residents when affected by the natural disaster. Links to a range of financial, family and wellbeing support are available in the Rural Support Services Directory.
The WA Government has a range of Aboriginal business development and employment services to assist those affected by the recent Kimberley flood. The services are available to any Aboriginal business, organisation, community or person in the region.
Further information about procurement, management, and tender support services to help Kimberley-based businesses grow and succeed is available on the Aboriginal Economic Development webpages. Jobseekers can also access a range of culturally sensitive training, employment and career support services which include advice, assistance and access to job search boards.
Related links
As part of the response to the flood, the State Support Plan for Animal Welfare in Emergencies was activated, which enabled DPIRD to lead the coordination of response efforts related to animal welfare.
The plan was implemented in association with DFES and in liaison with stakeholders, including the Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen’s Association (KPCA), and Local Government Authorities.
This included DPIRD working with DFES and the KPCA to supply hay at the request of affected pastoral businesses.