WA: Clean up after Cyclone Sam is complete

AAP General News (Australia)
02-02-2001
WA: Clean up after Cyclone Sam is complete

PERTH, Feb 2 AAP - A major clean-up after Cyclone Sam ripped through Bidyadanga Aboriginal
Community in Western Australia's far north two months ago was finished today.

The severe category five cyclone wreaked havoc on the remote community, 180 km south
of Broome. It cut off power and water supplies, destroying buildings, trees and fences
in its path.

All but five of the 600-strong community were evacuated from the coastal community
and have since returned.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) regional manager John Paterson
said the clean-up cost about $50,000 and workers for it were organised through the commission's
Community Development Employment Project (CDEP).

Mr Paterson said CDEP was started by Aboriginal people about 20 years ago and employs
and trains about 32,000 people each year.

"It was started to address the twin evils of chronic unemployment and lack of infrastructure
in remote areas," he said.

"Under the scheme Indigenous people pool their social security benefits to fund work
projects in their community."

CDEP workers also helped clean up in the aftermath of Cyclone Rosita, a category four
cyclone that hit Broome in April, 2000.

AAP lt/cjh

KEYWORD: CYCLONE

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