Families from Nganmarriyanga (Palumpa) will continue returning home today, with repatriation efforts underway to safely support residents back to community following recent flooding.
The return of residents is being carefully staged under the Territory Emergency Plan, with multiple agencies working together to ensure homes are safe, essential services are in place, and families are supported throughout the process.
Department of Children and Families CEO Brent Warren was on the ground in Palumpa on Saturday with NLC Chair Matt Ryan, Welfare Group staff and residents who returned last week to see firsthand the work underway to prepare the community.
"Being on the ground, meeting families who have already returned home, you can see just how much this means to community," Mr Warren said.
"Our Welfare Group is committed to working alongside the community to make sure people are safe, supported and ready as they return home.
"This has been a whole-of-government effort, with staff and volunteers working around the clock cleaning homes, unloading supplies, and preparing essential services so families can return safely.
"Even as a convoy of trucks and supplies made its way into community yesterday, with challenges along the way, our teams continued working late into the night to prepare homes ahead of today's repatriation.
"We are listening closely to what community is telling us and adapting our approach to make sure this is done the right way.
"I'm incredibly humbled by the strength and resilience of families returning home after almost two months away, and it's a privilege for our teams to be trusted to support them through this."
Department of Education and Training CEO Susan Bowden said education supports are being stood up in community to ensure children and young people can continue learning in a safe and supportive environment while the Nganmarriyanga School undergoes repairs.
"A temporary school will operate from Top Camp to maintain student learning and engagement, with five experienced teachers onsite from Monday delivering a structured teaching and learning program," Ms Bowden said.
"This modified program has been designed with a trauma-informed approach, recognising the experiences children and young people have had during the ongoing emergency.
Throughout the evacuation period, students have been attending modified education programs in Batchelor, and it is expected that the small number of students returning in the first week will grow over time.
"Learning will include literacy and numeracy alongside physical education, art and social connection, helping students re-engage in a supportive environment.
"Our teachers are highly experienced in the Australian Curriculum and working in remote communities and homelands, and they are well equipped to support students during this transition."
Mr Warren said essential health and wellbeing supports are also in place in community.
"A temporary clinic is operating with nurses experienced in remote health care, supported by comprehensive first aid services and an ambulance in community," he said.
"Food, water and essential supplies are being delivered regularly, with arrangements informed by feedback from residents already home."
Welfare Group Leader on the ground in Palumpa said local Elders had shared how important it is for families to return home safely and together.
"Elders have spoken about how happy people are to be back on Country and how strong the desire is to rebuild and keep their community safe," she said.
