The first cohort of Territorians have begun their journey home from the Centre for National Resilience after being evacuated due to severe flooding in early March.
Around 50 evacuees headed off for Kalkarindji this morning, after the Northern Territory Government, community organisations and contractors worked together to urgently restore homes, critical infrastructure and essential services.
Kalkarindji suffered comparatively less damage than Daguragu and Pigeon Hole, and repatriations to the community will continue tomorrow and Tuesday in a staged approach. Other evacuees will be repatriated when their homes are repaired.
The local store has been restocked and the health centre and the school will reopen tomorrow.
A vet and livestock inspector have been on the ground in the affected areas to provide treatments if required to animals that did not travel to Darwin with their owners.
More than 700 residents were evacuated to the Centre for National Resilience due to the flooding event which caused severe damage to Kalkarindji, Daguragu and Pigeon Hole.
Assessments of Daguragu are complete and a Waste Management Plan has been approved for implementation, with remediation works now underway.
Pigeon Hole experienced severe flooding and remains inaccessible by road, delaying repair and repatriation activities. Residents will remain regularly informed as progress is made.
Residents will receive their second hardship payment when they return to community.
Quotes attributed to Chief Minister Natasha Fyles:
"The Northern Territory Government has been working in partnership with community organisations and industry to ensure we get evacuees home in a safe way.
"It will be a staged approach to get evacuees home, we are making sure that power and water is available in the community.
"The second half of the hardship payments will also be made available once people return home to assist them in purchasing much needed items."
Northern Territory Government
