Territorians now have more ways to get the help they need, with new pop-up Welfare Recovery Centres opening in Coolalinga, Casuarina, the CBD and Litchfield to support communities dealing with ongoing outages and disruption.
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is leading on-the-ground efforts as the Northern Territory Government's Welfare Functional Group lead agency through the Marrara Welfare Recovery Centre that opened earlier this week, and the new pop-up services.
Since opening, the Marrara Centre has assisted more than 580 people from 220 households, providing immediate hardship payments, wellbeing support and practical recovery guidance to families most affected by power loss, storm damage, food insecurity and the emotional impacts of Cyclone Fina.
DCF Chief Executive Officer Brent Warren said the department's priority is ensuring people can access help quickly, safely and close to home.
"The Welfare Recovery Centre has become a crucial point of stability during a difficult time," Mr Warren said.
"We know many families are feeling the strain of damaged homes and power outages, but there's also the stress and uncertainty that comes with a cyclone. By opening up pop-up centres across greater Darwin, we're meeting people where they are and making it easier to get help."
To reach residents in those areas with the most households impacted by extended power outages, DCF has today opened pop-up Welfare Recovery Centres at Coolalinga Shopping Centre, Casuarina, and the Darwin CBD.
The locations make it easier for people in communities such as Humpty Doo, Howard Springs, Bees Creek, Girraween, Livingstone, McMinns Lagoon and Noonamah, along with those in the northern suburbs and Darwin to access the support and information they need and apply for financial assistance if eligible.
"Our teams are working closely with partner agencies across government, the Welfare Functional Group and specialist homelessness services to ensure people can speak to someone directly, ask questions, receive clear information and access practical support," Mr Warren said.
"We are grateful to each of our partners whose staff continue to provide wellbeing support, connection to emergency relief services for items such as food and essential supplies, and other essential support."
In addition to the on-the-ground response, DCF will take over coordination of the Emergency Hotline from NT Emergency Services to ensure Territorians receive timely and accurate information about available support. This forms part of the wider Welfare Functional Group, a Territory-wide partnership led by DCF that coordinates welfare support during emergencies and natural disasters.
The Group brings together agencies across government to provide a unified recovery response. Welfare Recovery Centres are opened when communities need a central, safe and accessible place to receive face-to-face assistance, wellbeing support and clear information after significant events such as cyclones.
The Marrara Welfare Recovery Centre remains the central hub for recovery services, providing a safe space for residents to seek information, wellbeing support, emergency relief guidance, multicultural assistance and connections to agencies including Power and Water Corporation, Housing, Mission Australia, Services Australia and local councils.
Immediate hardship payments remain available for eligible households that have been without power for more than 72 hours. Once eligibility is confirmed, residents receive a $250 payment via pre-paid card to assist with essential purchases during the recovery period.
Marrara Welfare Recovery Centre
The Marrara Welfare Recovery Centre at 10 Abala Road operates daily from 8:30am to 4pm until Wednesday 3 December providing:
Psychological first aid and wellbeing support from the Australian Red CrossEmergency relief information and grant eligibility adviceHealth, food and water safety informationMulticultural support including navigating insurance and servicesFood vouchers for impacted households needing immediate assistanceOnsite representatives from Power and Water Corporation, Department of Housing, Mission Australia, Services Australia, local councils and community partnersAdditional Pop-up Welfare Recovery Centres
From Thursday 27 November, pop up Welfare Recovery Centres will operate from Casuarina, Darwin CBD, Litchfield and Coolalinga.
Check SecureNT here for updates and location details.
Operating hours:
Casuarina - 2B CasCom Centre, 13-17 Scaturchio St, Casuarina
Thursday 27 November from 2pm - 7pm
Monday 1 December Casuarina from 2pm - 7pmDarwin CBD
Friday 28 November from 12noon - 7pm
Wednesday 3 December from 12noon - 7pmCoolalinga - Coolalinga Shopping Centre, 425 Stuart Hwy, Coolalinga
Saturday 29 November from 8am - 12noon
Tuesday 2 December from 2pm - 7pmLitchfield area
Saturday 29 November from 2pm - 6pm
Additional dates and times may be available in response to demand. Check SecureNT here for updates and information.
Immediate Hardship Payments
Households without power for more than 72 hours may be eligible for a $250 immediate hardship payment. After verification by Power and Water Corporation, debit cards are issued on-the-spot at the Marrara Centre, and all pop-up locations.
