Nationals commit to building Kalbarri evacuation centre as State election promise

The WA Nationals have promised to build a multipurpose evacuation centre in Kalbarri, with a fit-for-purpose facility to be created if they form government in 2025.

The party has committed $7 million to the centre, which it says will serve as an evacuation point in the event of natural disasters.

Nationals candidate for Geraldton Kirrilee Warr said the facility was overdue, following the destruction caused by cyclone Seroja in 2021.

“Cyclone Seroja was one of the most destructive natural disasters in WA’s history, and it exposed the urgent need for a dedicated evacuation centre in Kalbarri,” she said.

“Four years later, Kalbarri residents and visitors still have nowhere safe to go in an emergency, and it’s simply unacceptable.”

The facility would be funded through the Royalties for Regions initiative, with the centre s;dp to be used for community events, performances, and sporting activities.

The Nationals said they would work with the community in Kalbarri and the Shire of Northampton to ensure the facility met the community’s needs.

Ms Warr said the Labor Government was unable to deliver for the community.

“The Cook Labor Government promised the world after cyclone Seroja — but almost four years later, they’ve failed to deliver even the basics,” she said.

“They pledged $104.5m in disaster recovery funding, yet less than 10 per cent of that money ever reached the people who needed it.

“The slow and mismanaged recovery effort left many families unable to rebuild their homes, and some were forced to leave the region altogether.”