Yalgoo, a small community in outback Western Australia, finds itself $6 million out of pocket after its emergency relief funding application was rejected by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES). The funding rejection has sparked frustration and distrust within the community, raising concerns about the disaster recovery process in WA.
Unrepaired damage and unmet promises
The Shire of Yalgoo, located 450km north-east of Perth, faced catastrophic road damage following storms in 2021 and 2022. Floodwaters submerged key roads, leaving vital infrastructure in need of extensive repair.
Shire CEO Ian Holland revealed that the repairs, initially conducted under the belief that disaster relief funding would be available, have left the community financially vulnerable. “We had whole sections of Great Northern Highway and our road network underwater,” he said. “Those storms created quite a bit of damage across our 30,000 square kilometres.”
According to Mr. Holland, DFES initially approved the scope of the work and acknowledged the damage as the result of natural disasters. Yet, in January 2025, the department denied the funding application, citing procedural shortcomings.
Dylan Anderson
DFES responds
A spokesperson for DFES stated that the shire had failed to provide sufficient evidence of proper procurement processes and cost validation. “There are strict processes in place to ensure taxpayer funds are spent appropriately,” the spokesperson said. “DFES has made efforts to help the shire provide this information, including granting extensions and holding meetings as recently as December.”
The fallout
Without the $6 million in funding, Yalgoo faces severe financial consequences. Mr. Holland explained that the shortfall would deplete the shire’s reserve accounts and force significant budget cuts, affecting community projects and emergency preparedness.
“We’ll lose a number of our reserve accounts, which act as a cushion when things go wrong,” he said. “We may even have to cut projects next year to make up for this deficit.”
Criticism from opposition
State opposition leader Shane Love criticised DFES, calling their handling of Yalgoo’s claim emblematic of a broader issue with disaster recovery funding in WA. “DFES’ bureaucratic red tape has left communities waiting for years for recovery money,” he said. “It’s time to cut the crap and properly protect our communities.”
Mr. Love proposed removing DFES from its disaster recovery funding role if his party is elected, a suggestion that has gained traction among affected communities.
A broken system?
This isn’t the first time DFES has faced backlash over its funding decisions. In 2023, a $4.2 million claim from the Shire of Victoria Plains for flood-damaged roads also resulted in a protracted dispute. The pattern has sparked calls for a review of WA’s disaster recovery processes.
What’s next for Yalgoo?
With limited avenues for appeal, the Shire of Yalgoo is left to navigate the financial fallout alone. Meanwhile, trust in the system is eroding, and questions remain about how disaster recovery funding is managed in Western Australia.
Dylan Anderson
