Temporary accommodation keeps flood-affected Traditional Owners close to Country

Callan Morse Published April 28, 2023 at 1.05pm (AWST)

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The demountable buildings to be used as accommodation for residents of Kalkarindji and Daguragu. (Image: supplied)

Residents of Kalkarindji, Daguragu and Pigeon Hole who were affected by recent major flooding in the Northern Territory have been provided temporary emergency accommodation as the dry season commences.

Demountable pods, sourced from local NT businesses, are being utilised for residential accommodation as a substitute for damaged residences.

In Kalkarindji and Daguragu, 16 demountable pods are being installed for residents homes that require major repairs or complete replacement, with the first families using the facilities as of Wednesday.

The pods of varied design are being installed on existing service lots, providing access to power, water and sewerage connections.

As Pigeon Hole will not be habitable for several months due to flooding damage, residents will temporarily relocate to nearby Yarralin, in order to be closer to Country as quickly as possible.

Residents will be housed in a temporary accommodation solution, Western Shelters, sourced from the NSW Rural Fire Service, to be erected on the community oval.

The relocation of the approximately 140 Pigeon Hole residents to Yarralin is expected to commence in the coming days.

As part of the temporary housing solution, Traditional Owners and residents have been consulted on and agree with this proposal, which is also supported by the Walangeri Ngumpinku Aboriginal Corporation, Northern Land Council and Victoria Daly Regional Council.

Pigeon Hole experience catastrophic flooding earlier this year.

Each pod, costing approximately $400,000, is being co-funded by the federal and Northern Territory governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the Pigeon Hole and Yarralin communities have close ties and are happy with the arrangements, whilst returning Traditional Owners home to Country remains a priority.

"The Territory Government has been working with stakeholders including Walangeri Ngumpinku Aboriginal Corporation to ensure that the arrangement is acceptable to all involved," Ms Fyles said.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said the effects of recent severe weather and flooding has had a particularly distressing impact on affected communities in the Northern Territory.

"Both levels of government want to make sure all displaced residents are able to get back home and back onto Country as quickly as possible when it's safe to do so," he said.

"This housing support is about making sure families have somewhere safe and comfortable to stay while homes are repaired and rebuilt."

The demountable facilities deployed to Kalkarindji and Daguragu will be able to be reused by the Northern Territory government in future emergency events.