Major disaster recovery funding unlocks repairs for East Pilbara’s lifelines

The long anticipated announcement of more than $5.5 million in funding under the first tranche of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements marks a major step forward in the recovery and restoration of the damage caused to road across the East Pilbara by Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia in February 2025.

Under a five-stage plan, ordered on priority, the $5,650,458 will allow the Shire of East Pilbara to start road repairs in five key priority areas that serve as lifelines for regional access, freight movements, connections between remote communities and everyday travel.

The first stage will focus on restoring access to communities hardest hit, including Punmu, where damage has limited connections to essential services, supplies and cultural obligations.

Shire president Cr Anthony Middleton said the disaster recovery works would complement a significant program of routine road maintenance and capital upgrades already under way across the region.

“In the Pilbara, roads are true lifelines, when they’re damaged, people feel it immediately, whether it’s families facing longer and riskier trips, workers and businesses dealing with unreliable freight and supply routes, or remote communities cut off from essential services,” Cr Middleton said.

“Residents have shown incredible patience through these severe weather impacts and the extended recovery process.

“This first tranche is the result of sustained advocacy by the shire and a real win for our communities, securing over $5.5 million to get essential repairs under way after months of negotiation and delay.”

Works under Tranche 1 will focus on Punmu Road, Noreena-Roy Hill Road, Muccan-Shay Gap Road, Goldsworthy Road and Boreline Road, with construction expected to begin during the first quarter of 2026, subject to weather conditions and site access.

With Tranche 1 now confirmed, works will begin on five priority roads, while a further 17 roads have been identified under the broader disaster recovery program.

Planning is progressing to deliver the remaining stages as funding for additional tranches is confirmed and conditions allow.

Alongside disaster recovery works, the shire is advancing a substantial program of non-disaster-related road maintenance and capital projects during the current financial year, funded through a mix of shire, State and Federal sources.

This includes about $21 million in road maintenance and upgrade works being delivered across the region, in addition to disaster recovery funding, helping tackle the broader challenges of maintaining a vast, largely unsealed road network.

The program also includes floodway construction works on Muccan-Shay Gap Road, which are nearing completion following damage during last year’s severe weather events.