Cyclone-ravaged roadhouse pulls plug on fundraiser

Days after setting up an online fundraiser, the owners of a business destroyed by Cyclone Ilsa say they’ll be returning all money donated to them.

A roadhouse business, destroyed when it was smashed by Tropical Cyclone Ilsa early on Friday morning, has taken down an online fundraiser just days after setting it up.

Owners and management of the Pardoo Roadhouse and Tavern in Western Australia’s Kimberley region started the GoFundMe Campaign on Saturday after taking Friday to survey the extensive damage to their business, with the bill to rebuild estimated at about $4m.

Some of the external damage to the roadhouse caused by tropical cyclone Ilsa.

By the time they shut down the online fundraiser on Monday, it had raised $24,550.

The combination service station and eatery, a key stop for those making the 609km trip between Broome and Port Headland along the Great Northern Hwy, was directly in Ilsa’s path when it made landfall as a category 5 system.

Winds in excess of 250km/h ripped through the building, with photos taken after the storm had passed showing roofing and wall panels ripped out, debris covering rooms and whole sections of ceilings collapsed.

Despite being insured, the GoFundMe campaign was aimed at generating a target of $250,000, because the business’ remote location meant insurance funds and rebuilding could take months.

It went live online Saturday and had raised $24,550 before organisers decided to pull the plug on Monday.

“We have decided to close down our gofundme,” writes the roadhouse on their Facebook page.

“Whilst we appreciate everyone from the bottom of our hearts for donating, we are not comfortable taking your money.

“Donations to our gofundme account have been disabled and I have submitted a request for all donors to receive a 100 per cent refund.”

‘This road sign used to be 5km from our Roadhouse’ said Pardoo Roadhouse on their Facebook page.

‘This decision has nothing to do with insurance or the government; at this stage we are still unsure if we will rebuild,’ the roadhouse’s owners have said.

They returned to the post half an hour later to clarify: “This decision has nothing to do with insurance or the government.

“At this stage we are still unsure if we will rebuild. If we decide to move forward and rebuild, we will update everyone and reach out for assistance.

“Thank you everyone.”