Flood victims in the central Kimberley have vented their frustration after delays and complexity to access federal relief payments.
Western Australia’s worst floods on record have caused extensive damage to property and homes in Fitzroy Crossing and impacted critical infrastructure.
As of Monday afternoon, 385 damage assessments had been completed across the town and surrounding communities.
WA Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said a significant number of houses had been rendered uninhabitable.
"There's probably 35 houses that have been totally damaged," he said.
"[And] of the 240-odd houses assessed, I think there's 70 that are totally unscathed, everything else has suffered some sort of damage."
Residents hit relief roadblock
Federal emergency payments of $1,000 per person and $400 per child were announced last week, but flood-hit Fitzroy Crossing residents have reported significant difficulties.
Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Antonio Giometti said it had been a challenge accessing the payments.
"People either have to go to a Services Australia office or get online to apply for these grants, but we’re finding that the system says it hasn’t been officially approved at this stage," Mr Giometti said.
He said the application process had not been properly considered.
"When it comes to things like this, we see what is like a 'white-fella' approach and that just doesn't work in an Indigenous community," he said.
"There's 700 people or more out in communities at the moment who don't have access to the internet, mobile phones and the [Fitzroy River] bridge is down so, their access is severely limited."
Around 40 outlying communities in the region rely on stores and medical assistance in Fitzroy Crossing.
Wrong information creating challenges
Fitzroy Crossing local and radio broadcaster Natalie Davey suffered flood damage to her home.
She said trying to access the payments has been problematic.
"Not getting the right information is a major stressor," Ms Davey said.
"People left their ID's in their homes when they evacuated and confirming their identity has been difficult."
Ms Davey said community members felt uncertain about their future.
"There's something really nice about being at home in your bed, and not knowing how that might happen is really hard," she said.
Around 180 people have been relocated from the outback town.
Minister says support available
Minister Stephen Dawson said multiple resources had been made available on the ground for Kimberley communities, but said conceded the recovery journey could be long and complex.
"We are committed to helping people through the application process," he said.
"Services Australia have set up temporary service centres and are attending recovery centres - they can help people access these and other payments and services."
Mr Dawson said Department of Communities staff were also on hand to assist with applications in Fitzroy Crossing, Derby and Broome.
"There are community information offices now open in Derby and Broome," he said.
"Services Australia also have staff on the ground to help people with this process, and are assisting people face-to-face in Fitzroy Crossing."
Services Australia General Manager Hank Jongen said 1,100 people had received more than $854,000 in disaster assistance since Sunday, January 8.
"Services Australia's priority is to help people in the Kimberley access essential federal government disaster assistance, which includes the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and Disaster Recovery Allowance," he said.
"We continue to monitor community needs closely and we remain ready to deploy more support if it is needed.
"Our staff continue to process disaster payments as quickly as possible, to ensure people can get the support they need."
Local families feel the strain
Broome Aboriginal Medical Services has offered support to evacuees.
Social and Emotional Wellbeing Coordinator Albert Wiggan said evacuees felt under pressure to make ends meet.
"Some of the families have already applied for it, and they haven't heard anything back," Mr Wiggan said.
"We need to relieve these families that are going through this hard time and can't really afford to be messed around when it comes to financial and income security."
Mr Wiggan said better systems should be in place to support victims.
"It's a matter of making sure there are services that provide financial advice and support," he said.
Mr Giometti suggested alternatives to help people access financial relief.
"Maybe we should have people flying out to these communities to help people access these payments, which are much needed to get food back on the table and houses back in order."
Minister acknowledges difficulties
Addressing a community meeting in Fitzroy Crossing on Tuesday, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti said he understood residents' frustration.
He said steps were being taken - including by DFES - to ensure communication around repairs and relief efforts were appropriately communicated to each community.
"DFES are going to each community, and working to identify both the appropriate leader and language," Dr Buti said.
"They're working directly with those leaders to ensure they get the correct information, the appropriate information, to deliver to their communities."
Also WA's Education Minister, Dr Buti said schools in Fitzroy Crossing and surrounding communities had escaped serious flood damage.
But getting both students and teachers too and from school looms as a major challenge.
"If students and teachers can't get back, we'll look at alternative ways of instruction," Dr Buti said.
Secondary students from communities on the eastern side of the river, such as Bayulu and Mulujda, who would normally bus into Fitzroy Valley District High School, are likely to be impacted most.
Dr Buti said everything from barges to airlifts was being considered, with the distribution of home work packs the back-up plan.
"If they can't make it, we hope to be able to provide instruction to them," he said.
