By Alex Condon
Premier Roger Cook and Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas have both unveiled financial assistance policies as Western Australia is gripped by devastating bushfires and cost-of-living pressures.
On Sunday, after visiting fire-ravaged areas of the state over the weekend, Cook thanked firefighters and residents for their service and resilience as he announced electricity bill credits at a minimum of $200 for WA households.
“I want to thank everyone who has been involved in the response [to the bushfires], firefighters, emergency service workers, volunteers and community members, many who we met yesterday doing an outstanding job on behalf of the people of Western Australia,” he told reporters.
“I’m confident when I speak for all Western Australians when I say thank you.
“As of yesterday afternoon, there were more than 70 fire incidences across the state.”
Speaking at the home of retired nurse Janet McLeod and her husband Lindsay in Woodvale, Cook said the bill relief comes at a crucial time heading into summer.
Janet McLeod speaks to the media with Kingsley MLA Jessica Stojkovski and Premier Roger Cook.
“Whether it’s interest rates, payments or inflation, we know that many Western Australians are doing it tough,” he said.
“We also know that at the moment it’s particularly hot, so people are cranking their air conditioners and that will add further to their cost of living issues.
“A minimum of $200 credit will be added to every household Synergy Bill and Horizon Bill from Saturday.”
Janet McLeod said she was happy with the announcement and said it would especially help poorer and older residents: “As we all get older, overheating is a major problem. And I’ve been in homes on home visits where people have been too scared to turn their airconditioning on.”
At least 18 homes and dozens of other structures were destroyed by the fire in Mariginiup, in the City of Wanneroo, this week and on Saturday Zempilas unveiled the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund for affected residents in the area.
“The events of this week have been distressing for everyone and we know the WA community again want to again show their support for those who need it urgently,” he said.
“The LMDRF is the place the people of WA have always trusted to be able to ensure their donation goes directly to those who need it.”
An initial relief payment of $5000 will be available for each of the 18 homes destroyed in the bushfire and an initial relief payment of $3000 will be available for any home categorised as suffering “major damage”.
For the state electricity credits, the deadline for households not directly supplied by Synergy or Horizon Power to claim their Household Electricity Credit has been extended and will begin appearing on bills from December 2.
The deadline for applications has been extended to March 31, 2024 for households not with Synergy or Horizon and supplied through an embedded network, sub-metering arrangement or other on-supply arrangement.
For more information and to apply, visit the household electricity credit page here.
Federal Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt has also flagged disaster recovery assistance, jointly funded by the federal and WA governments, will be made available to those affected by the Perth fire.