Cyclone Seroja: Low approval rate for cultural and heritage asset clean-up, repair grant program

Only one of 45 applications has received any disaster relief funding to repair damage caused by cyclone Seroja to the region’s heritage buildings. The cultural and heritage asset clean-up and repair grant program, designed to support the repair and restoration of heritage buildings, is supposed to reimburse up to $20,000 after works are completed. Only one application has been reimbursed for a total of $22,000 in the Greater Geraldton Region, with 45 applications pending approval. A Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage spokesperson said the low approval rate for the heritage grant was a result of multiple factors, including issues with insurance claims, workforce pressures and supply chain issues. “The heritage grant is a reimbursement that is paid to grant applicants after approved works are completed,” they said. “The applications are a starting point for working with owners. Many of whom have determined they do not need financial assistance so have not progressed to the claim stage of the process.” The spokesperson said support and assistance including advice from heritage engineers and architects to assist repairs was ongoing. Cyclone Seroja State recovery controller Melissa Pexton said the repair and rebuild process from a natural disaster was a long and complex process. “Disaster-affected people, households and communities understand their needs best. They have the right to make their own choices about their own recovery,” she said. “The rebuild of heritage properties by owners has been impacted by the same external factors as those experienced by all property owners in the regions.” A spokesperson for the Emergency Services Minister said the delays were also caused by the remoteness of locations. The State Government recently extended the grant program to give applicants more time to complete works. Applicants now have until June 30, 2023, to apply for the grant and June 30, 2024, to complete the works. Figures revealed in State Parliament recently showed just under $7 million has been dispersed so far of the total $104.5 million government relief package, which was announced in July last year.