- New appointment to help Kimberley communities with recovery efforts
- Key part of State Government’s commitment to providing appropriate support to help region rebuild
Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson today announced Rob Cossart has been appointed State Recovery Coordinator to support communities in the Kimberley recovering from the once-in-a-century flood events caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie.
Mr Cossart, who has a wealth of experience in the Kimberley, will establish a recovery plan that ensures appropriate support is delivered to key stakeholders and communities affected by the record-breaking floods, including Traditional Owners’ groups.
Mr Cossart was the District Recovery Coordinator for the Shackleton Complex and Narrogin East Bushfires which burned through the Wheatbelt in February last year.
He is currently Chief Executive of the Wheatbelt Development Commission but spent more than a decade in the Kimberley, where he was respected for his ability to form relationships with community, government and business leaders and bring stakeholders together.
In the coming days, a Kimberley Recovery Coordinator will be also appointed. They will work alongside Mr Cossart and organise community and industry engagement.
This additional support from the State Government complements jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) that have already been announced for the shires of Derby-West Kimberley, Broome, Wyndham East-Kimberley and Halls Creek.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
“As we get a clearer picture of the extent of the damage caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie, the appointment of a State Recovery Coordinator is an important step in determining the support needed for what will be a long recovery journey.
“The State Government is committed to a coordinated response, working side by side with the local communities and the four local governments affected by this unprecedented flooding.
“Rob Cossart has extensive experience in the Kimberley and is respected as an outstanding community leader, which makes him the ideal choice to lead this significant recovery effort.”
