The Department of Children and Families has today transitioned the Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre (GYRACC) in Katherine to a Welfare Recovery Centre, supporting the community as recovery begins following the Katherine River floods.
The centre officially opened today after operating as a Payment Centre over the past week to support residents with Immediate Relief Payments.
Department of Children and Families CEO Brent Warren said the centre would help bring together recovery services for the Katherine community.
"Over the past week we've worked quickly to make sure residents affected by the floods could access immediate financial support when they needed it most."
"Almost 4,900 payments have now been processed, delivering more than $4.2 million directly to people in Katherine to help with the immediate costs of the emergency."
With Katherine evacuees returning home over the weekend and the region now moving from response to recovery, the Welfare Recovery Centre will bring together government services and community organisations to support residents as they get back on their feet.
"As the community begins the recovery process, the Welfare Recovery Centre brings together government services and welfare partners in one place to help residents access the support they need."
From this afternoon, the Australian Government began administering the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) through Services Australia. Services Australia staff are available at the Welfare Recovery Centre to help residents apply, confirm Centrelink details and answer questions about eligibility.
Support available through the Welfare Recovery Centre includes:
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payments (via Services Australia)Immediate Relief Payments for eligible residentsTemporary Accommodation reimbursementsRe-establishment grants to replace essential household itemsInsurance representatives and recovery support services.
Welfare Group partners will also be onsite to support residents, including the Australian Red Cross, alongside services such as Territory Insurance Office (TIO), Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR), Births, Deaths and Marriages, and counselling and psychosocial support services.
Immediate Relief Payments continue to roll out across other flood-affected parts of the Northern Territory, including Darwin River and surrounding rural areas, as well as remote communities impacted by flooding.
Residents can apply for assistance online or visit the Welfare Recovery Centre at GYRACC, LOT 3238 Stuart Highway, Katherine East.
