The state government has invested more than $53 million in the recovery of Yarloop, and has committed further funds to restore key infrastructure and utilities.
Premer Colin Barnett said while the recovery process for Yarloop was transitioning to the Shire of Harvey, the government would continue to lead and fund some key initiatives which were vital to the town's future.
“The State Government has committed $700,000 to the Shire of Waroona to extend its waste facility for the disposal of fire-affected waste from commercial property owners in the shires of Waroona and Harvey, free of charge,” the Premier said.
“In addition to the potential contribution of $800,000 from the shire to a new community centre at Yarloop, the Government will provide additional funding and has also confirmed that the land on which the previous hospital was located can be transferred to the shire for this purpose, if required.
“Through the Department of Regional Development, an additional one-off payment of $50,000 has already been made for the temporary re-location of the existing Community Resource Centre, which is expected to be eventually housed within the new community centre.”
The Premier said the state government would also provide $25,000 towards the development of a town plan for Yarloop, an initiative which will be managed by the Shire of Harvey.
The Department of Transport would develop a business case to repair Yarloop's rail platform and associated works, which are expected to cost up to $700,000.
Other matters still being finalised by the State Government include:
- Funding the clean-up of six residential properties
- Demolition and final clean-up of the railway workshops
- Funding a Bushfire Attack Level contour map and re-pegging of properties.
The Yarloop Police Station is expected to reopen in coming weeks, and the Yarloop Primary School will operate from its original site from Term 1, 2017.
Discussions are also continuing between the shire and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services on a replacement shed used by the Volunteer Bushfire Brigade.
