A housing recovery plan is being actioned by the Northern Territory Government in all three communities affected by Cyclone Lam – Galiwinku, Ramingining and Milingimbi.

This requires some tenants to relocate to alternative accommodation until houses are safe to return to.

The Territory Government has been working with Yolngu leaders and residents to encourage people whose homes are unsafe to move into alternate shelter options such as Camp Elcho.

As stated from the outset, the camp is only an interim solution for a number of weeks. The NT Government is now working towards implementing the next phase of temporary accommodation for the residents who are expected to be out of their homes for many months because of the extent of damage.

Options for the second phase of temporary accommodation include the clustering of transportable buildings in a self-contained configuration for families.

Local Recovery Committees are in place across the three most impacted communities which include local service providers, community leaders and NT Government Recovery Coordinators.

Together with East Arnhem Regional Council Local Authorities and Homelands boards, these committees will guide recovery efforts and ensure the communities are engaged in setting priorities.

Throughout the recovery process residents have been kept informed every step of the way through regular community meetings, translated messages, local radio broadcasts and through loud hailers and public address messaging.

The Local Authority, community leaders and traditional owners will be actively engaged in the selection, planning and delivery of this next phase of temporary accommodation.

Repair contractor teams have been established in all communities and were initially focussed on clearing debris, bringing down dangerous trees, ensuring houses are water tight and re-connecting the power to houses.

The focus for contractors will now shift to fixing houses which can be made habitable quickly before working on houses that need more extensive repairs or replacement.

In Galiwinku, there is a significant capital works program to deliver and detailed planning is underway. 

As the repairs and rebuilding phase continues there will be many opportunities for local people to be employed in a range of jobs for construction work, supervision and liaison roles.

Government contractors on the ground are already engaging locals to deliver necessary repairs, rebuilding and recovery work, with more than 30 Yolngu people already employed across the Arnhem region in recovery efforts.

In Galiwinku there are seven local Yolngu employees working for contractors undertaking recovery work with more expected to come on board as the repair program gains momentum.

In Milingimbi, there are 10 Yolngu workers employed by contractors and in Ramingining, there are two Yolngu employees working on recovery works with more expected to be engaged shortly. 

Yolngu Business Enterprises and Dhimurru Rangers have been engaged to support the clean-up of a number of homelands across the region.

Regional Recovery Coordinator Jim Rogers said contractor teams were coordinated and well utilised.

“Much of the make safe work is now complete. At all times those teams have been coordinated and well utilised and have been working hard and not been idle.”

Mr Rogers said the recovery was progressing swiftly despite the significant logistical challenges of assisting very remote communities.

“There has been great appreciation expressed by residents to the overall response,” Mr Rogers said.

“Everyone is working hard across all affected communities to make sure we have people in homes as soon as possible.

“We have had contractors completing make-safe work so that all essential services could get back up and running, including schools which have now reopened in Galiwinku, Ramingining and Milingimbi.”

“The effort to mobilise hundreds of volunteers, public servants and contractors quickly to communities means we are in a strong position to move into the repair phase.”

Although planning for significant capital works for schools and community housing is only in its infancy, the delivery of long term training, employment and business opportunities will be a key objective of the rebuilding efforts.

On the ground the government is talking with community groups, community leaders and residents to re-establish activities and programs, such as playgroups, sporting activities and aged care programs as soon as possible.

Regular discos have been organised in Milingimbi and a local basketball competition was held over the weekend in Galiwinku.

Assessment teams are visiting homelands to complete building assessments and electrical checks and contractors are being deployed to ensure repairs are undertaken to ensure homes are safe to return to.

Photo caption:  The team at Xtreme Garden Care mulch fallen trees in Milingimbi.

Media contact: Clayton Bennett 0438 824 420