Kimberley residents are hoping for new flood-resilient infrastructure and the meaningful involvement of community leaders as surveying and rebuilding begins in Fitzroy Crossing.
Acting WA Transport Minister John Carey confirmed Main Roads have begun their assessment of the Fitzroy Bridge and of local homes, in a media conference in Fitzroy Crossing Wednesday.
Minister Carey stressed they are looking at several different options but all will take a significant amount of time.
"One option could be to actually create a temporary structure that continues the bridge but that will be based on an assessment," he said.
"Or there has been some consideration of a flood crossing further north. However this all has to be based on the assessment of Main Roads and that any of these options are likely to take time.
"Even when we talk about shorter or quicker, so to speak, options, this still will actually take a considerable amount of time."
Minister Carey said the government hopes Great Northern Highway near Plum Plains will open up this Friday. However, areas such as Willare will have to wait until the water levels recede.
@natindigtimes After nearly two weeks of flooding, the clean up in Fitzroy Valley will begin. It comes after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and WA Premier Mark McGowan travelled to the Kimberley to see the extent of the damage. Leedal Foundation Limited have set up a fundraiser to assists with flood relief and 100% of the funds go towards relief. To donate head here: https://www.facebook.com/donate/689452392905125/600390265427313/ #fitzroyfloods #fitzroyrivercrossing #fitzroyvalley #fitzroyriver #fitzroycrossing #fitzroycrossingflood2023 ♬ original sound - National Indigenous Times
Elder and Bunuba leader Joe Ross said he understands rebuilding will take time but hopes First Nations community leaders will be thoroughly consulted.
"We've been really strong about making sure that community leaders are involved in the decision making process and that free, prior and informed consent is followed," he said.
"Because there are a lot of areas that might need opening up for new bridges and roads."
Mr Ross said the community hopes infrastructure of town buildings and homes will ensure any future floods will not cause this amount of damage again.
"We're expecting houses to be built consistent with being able to sustain a flood, we don't think that's unreasonable," he said.
"A lot of the houses could be raised another metre to stop the floods coming in.
"Up until now we've been living on the river for about 40 years and we stay in our houses while the river goes underneath us. This time round about a metre went through our houses. Massive disappointment to be told that."
Minister Carey said there is a possibility some houses might have irreparable damage but with assessments still underway authorities cannot currently give an exact figures.
Mr Ross said the damage to Fitzroy Bridge cuts off approximately 60 to 70 per cent of the community on the eastern side of the river from key services in Fitzroy Crossing, and those residents may have to travel nearly 300 kilometres to the service centre in Halls Creek.
