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Premier, Minister visit the Pilbara in the wake of Cyclone Veronica

Alicia PereraPilbara News
Premier Mark McGowan speaks to members of the Karratha Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service.
Camera IconPremier Mark McGowan speaks to members of the Karratha Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service. Credit: Pilbara News, Alicia Perera

Premier Mark McGowan and Emergency Services Minister Fran Logan visited the Pilbara today to meet with local emergency services and assess the damage wrought by Tropical Cyclone Veronica.

The ministers, joined by Department of Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm and Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel, met members of Karratha and Hedland’s SES units, volunteer fire and rescue services, Department of Communities and local government to thank them for their efforts in handling the Category 3 cyclone.

Premier Mark McGowan and Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel meet with Karratha SES member Sharyn Hearson.
Camera IconPremier Mark McGowan and Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel meet with Karratha SES member Sharyn Hearson. Credit: Pilbara News, Alicia Perera
Karratha SES members show Emergency Services Minister Fran Logan, DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm, Premier Mark McGowan and Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel some of the damage caused by Cyclone Veronica.
Camera IconKarratha SES members show Emergency Services Minister Fran Logan, DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm, Premier Mark McGowan and Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel some of the damage caused by Cyclone Veronica. Credit: Pilbara News, Alicia Perera

Mr McGowan said the Pilbara had been lucky to avoid a severe impact from Cyclone Veronica.

“This had the capacity to be a tragic cyclone, to be devastating,” he said.

“Fortunately it hasn’t resulted in that outcome, but the local community has done a marvellous job and all of the volunteers, all of the State Government workers, all of the industry people, have banded together to ensure that this community was ready and that they’re dealing with the aftermath very well.”

“At this point in time there’s still some issues with potential flooding in some communities, particularly remote communities, but coordinators are dealing with that issue as we speak and there are plans underway to make sure those communities are properly supplied and supported.”

“I’m very pleased with... all of the effort was put in to make that this cyclone was dealt with and we were able to coordinate it very effectively.”

Premier Mark McGowan and Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel meet Hedland SES volunteers.
Camera IconPremier Mark McGowan and Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel meet Hedland SES volunteers. Credit: North West Telegraph, Daneka Hill
Premier Mark McGowan and Emergency Services Minister Fran Logan at the Hedland SES headquarters on a ‘thankyou’ tour to praise the efforts of volunteers and resident’s good behaviour during Cyclone Veronica.
Camera IconPremier Mark McGowan and Emergency Services Minister Fran Logan at the Hedland SES headquarters on a ‘thankyou’ tour to praise the efforts of volunteers and resident’s good behaviour during Cyclone Veronica. Credit: North West Telegraph, Daneka Hill

Emergency Services Minister Fran Logan praised the efforts of local communities and emergency service crews in preparing for the cyclone and complying with DFES alerts.

He said the State Government, assisted by Pilbara local governments, would now look into whether local communities could be eligible for disaster relief funding.

“Both the Town (of Port Hedland) and City (of Karratha) will be looking at the amount of damage that has actually been done that falls within the criteria of disaster recovery funding... and the Department will make an application because it’s jointly funded by the Commonwealth and State (Governments),” he said.

“If the damage bill goes above the level of $250,000, then automatically the disaster recovery funding application comes into fruition and the funding will be provided.”

Mr Logan also said he would look into the lack of any evacuation centre in the City of Karratha’s eastern corridor for future emergencies.

Premier Mark McGowan at the SES facility in South Hedland meeting cyclone response coordinators.
Camera IconPremier Mark McGowan at the SES facility in South Hedland meeting cyclone response coordinators. Credit: North West Telegraph, Daneka Hill
City of Karratha Mayor Peter Long speaks to Emergency Services Minister Fran Logan and Premier McGowan at the Karratha SES headquarters.
Camera IconCity of Karratha Mayor Peter Long speaks to Emergency Services Minister Fran Logan and Premier McGowan at the Karratha SES headquarters. Credit: Pilbara News, Alicia Perera

Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel said Cyclone Veronica had been one of the worst cyclones he had seen in his 17 years in the region, but praised the way community members had come together to support each other through it.

Mr McGowan and Mr Logan also visited Karratha Health Campus and Roebourne before flying to Port Hedland.

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