Editor’s Desk: Recovery leaves much to be desired three years on from destruction of cyclone Seroja

The people of the Mid West are many things, but extraordinarily patient and resilient would have to rank right up there. This week it’s been three years since cyclone Seroja’s brutal trajectory carved a path of destruction through this region, leaving a total damage bill in excess of $400 million. While the mental scars may never heal, you would expect after three years the physical scars would have largely faded. But on the ground, across the region there is still work to be done to repair and replace damaged homes, buildings and infrastructure. But most people agree the emotional toll will take much longer to address. Arguably, the State and Federal governments have dragged their heels. It was only last month after a protracted saga with a proponent that collapsed that the State Government finally transferred land in Kalbarri to the Shire of Northampton for desperately needed workers accommodation. However, it took them less than a year to replace the Fitzroy Crossing bridge destroyed by floods in early 2023. In any reasonable estimation, rolling out just $8 million of a promised $104.5 million relief package, according to the WA Nationals, is a pitiful outcome. For Seroja victims, the reasons for delays and setbacks have been the same facing the rest of the housing and construction sector — not enough workers, a shortage of materials and so on. And undoubtedly there have been issues and headaches with the insurance process which has prolonged the painful process. But for the people who live in Kalbarri, Northampton and other inland parts affected by Seroja, it must feel a little bit like time has frozen for the past three years. No wonder they just want to move on and never hear the word Seroja again. But when parts of their town are still a “mess”, as some locals say, it’s hard to forget. And the Government shouldn’t either. Lessons must be learnt and changes made so it’s quicker and easier for families and businesses to get back to their normal lives and livelihoods after being hit by a natural disaster. A GOLDEN TRIBUTE As an end note to this Editor’s Desk, please indulge me for a moment while I wish my parents Joe and Shelley Campbell a very happy 50th wedding anniversary for Saturday. Five decades of marriage — in which you manage to stay strong together through all the ups and downs life throws your way — is an incredible feat and not easy. Believe me, my folks have endured more than their fair share of obstacles and hardship but have come out the other side knowing 100 per cent what is important in life. Through it all they have put family first, particularly my sisters and I, instilling in us solid, simple and important values to lean on in good times and bad. They are amazing parents and grandparents and on the eve of their golden anniversary deserve a moment to shine.