Disaster response experts to deal with aftermath of Aurukun NYE riots

The fallout in Aurukun from an alleged murder on New Year’s Even has been so severe the Government has sent in disaster response experts usually used in the aftermath of cyclones.

UPHEAVAL in the Queensland town of Aurukun has been so violent about 300 people have left and the government is sending in disaster response experts.

Riots triggered by an alleged murder almost a month ago has seen more than one fifth of the 1400-strong town flee to other communities throughout Cape York.

Serious concerns for 160 who fled Aurukun after New Year’s Day violence

Aurukun riots: Displaced people flee to Cairns

Far North Queensland police office Duane Amos and Tracey Harding, who has worked on community recovery efforts following floods and cyclones, have been called in as response co-ordinators.

They will work alongside former Aurukun Shire Council CEO Gary Kleidon, who was called in to co-ordinate the response about a week after violence broke out.

Eight homes were torched and many residents fled into bushland through the night to avoid violence following the alleged murder of a 37-year-old man.

Six houses connected with the family of the alleged murders were burned down. Picture: Queensland Police Service

The evacuees fled to a makeshift camp established about 80km outside the town while others spread to nearby communities including Coen, Hope Vale, Kowanyama, Laura, Mapoon, Napranum and Pormpuraaw.

One of eight houses destroyed during riots in Aurukun on New Year.

Some have since returned, but others say there is no future for them in Aurukun.

The government says it is working to return the troubled town to “normality, calm and healing”.

Additional police have been sent to Aurukun where they have been rostered on 24 hours a day to maintain calm in the town.