Strong progress is being made on the rebuilding program in the Galiwin’ku, Milingimbi and Ramingining communities after the devastation of Cyclone Lam and Nathan earlier this year.

Over 300 minor and moderately damaged houses have now been repaired in the three communities.

In Galiwin’ku, more than 80 homes were severely damaged or damaged beyond repair, with displaced residents living in tents at Camp Elcho.

The fourth cluster of transportable homes has now been installed on Galiwin’ku for residents who have been living in the camp to move into today.

Regional Recovery Coordinator, Jim Rogers said the Northern Territory Government and the local leaders group have agreed to a wider community rebuilding program for these houses, which will be undertaken in two phases.

“The first phase will be a faster rebuild program of half of the damaged houses to ensure the most affected families can get back into a home quickly and the second program for the remaining houses will be a longer process to ensure there are opportunities for real training and jobs and community development is maximised,” Mr Rogers said.

The tender for a tranche of 20 houses to be built under the fast tracked program has been release and is expected to be awarded early July.

Local Yolngu workers make up over half the workforce of the four major building contractors working on repair and refurbishment of damaged houses and the supply and installation of transportable homes in Galiwin’ku at present.

The last of the transportable homes for those currently living in Camp Elcho are expected to be installed by the end of this month.  

Following Tropical Cyclones Lam and Nathan, both the Ramingining and Milingimbi Schools sustained extensive damage.

Temporary transportable facilities have been placed at Ramingining School, while Milingimbi School has made temporary arrangements to use other areas of the school as classrooms.

The Northern Territory Government has allocated $10 million of the 2015 Budget to rebuild the infrastructure at the schools.

Milingimbi School will receive $4 million for a new Literacy Production Centre, three new classrooms, playground equipment and landscaping.

Ramingining School will receive $6 million for rebuilding the preschool and Families as First Teachers facilities, two lower primary classrooms, student ablutions, a canteen with a shade structure, a sports store and playground equipment.

“There has and will continue to be strong engagement with the school council and Local Authorities who are keen to see that the new school facilities improve community involvement in the schools and provide real jobs and training opportunities in construction,” Mr Rogers said.

“Planning is well underway to demolish and replace the damaged buildings with new permanent structures.”

The NT Government will ensure a major feature of the $90 million rebuilding effort across the three communities will be partnerships with Yolngu business and enterprises so that residents can take advantage of long term training, employment outcomes and business opportunities that have risen from this disaster.

Media Contact:

Laura Verney 

8999 6009 or 0428 452 179