Western Australia's Department of Fire and Emergency Services has appointed Community Navigators to support flood relief efforts within First Nations communities in the Kimberley.
The region was hammered by the worst floods in the state's history last month, causing destruction or damage to homes, businesses, roads, bridges and other vital infrastructure.
A Unit Leader and three Community Navigators will work with the Bunuba, Gooniyandi, Walmajarri and Nyikina communities in the Fitzroy Valley, which were all severely impacted by the devastating flood events.
DFES said in a statement on Friday that Community Navigators are equipped with local knowledge and an understanding of the complexities of their communities, including kinship systems and languages.
"They will support community engagement in the flood response, disseminating important information relating to assistance from State Government agencies and helping coordinate repatriations," the Department said.
The initiative has been established in partnership with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and is designed to complement DFES' focus on a region-led response, with Community Navigators acting as a bridge between affected communities and the state government.
Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna said the importance of local knowledge and experience in the flood response and recovery effort "cannot be understated".
"I am very happy with the appointment of the Community Navigators who will be working in partnership with State Government agencies and community members to support flood relief efforts in the Kimberley," she said.
"The devastation that has resulted from this flooding event is phenomenal. This ground-breaking initiative is most welcome as we work with community in our recovery effort."
Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said he was pleased to announce the Community Navigators initiative, which is a first of its kind for Western Australia.
"The program will support Aboriginal communities by working as a bridge between them and the Incident Management Team. This will improve outcomes for Indigenous people impacted by the devastating Kimberley floods," he said.
"Community Navigators will work together with communities and stakeholders to better identify community priorities, and will play an important role in the wider region's recovery."
The State Government appointed a State Recovery Coordinator earlier this month.
This additional support operates alongside jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements that has already been announced for the shires of Derby-West Kimberley, Broome, Wyndham East-Kimberley and Halls Creek.
