Residents of the Jilkminggan community have returned home today, 22 days after the area was evacuated due to a significant flood threat.
Approximately 170 residents were safely accommodated in Mataranka during the evacuation period, staying at the Town Hall and Mataranka School.
"Being away from home for three weeks, and not knowing when you'll be able to return, is an incredibly stressful experience for anyone," Incident Controller Karl Bauman said.
"While the community itself was not inundated, surrounding areas were heavily flooded and road access remained cut until today. We are grateful to the Mataranka community for welcoming their neighbours and adjusting their daily routines to support them."
In a carefully coordinated operation, residents travelled home in a convoy of high‑clearance 4WD buses after water levels at Donkey Flat Crossing receded enough to allow safe passage.
The Jilkminggan community is now fully operational, with essential services restored, drinking water cleared for consumption, and the local store fully stocked.
Jilkminggan students will return to school later this week to allow for deep cleaning scheduled for later in the week. Mataranka School will undergo cleaning tomorrow, and students there will resume classes once completed.
