Wadeye homes still waiting on repairs after ‘unprecedented influx’ of Territorians fleeing unrest

Hundreds of Territorians are still without safe homes months after an ‘unprecedented influx’ of people fleeing unrest in a regional community.

The majority of homes destroyed in riots and violence in Wadeye remain in disrepair, as violent crime continues to flare up in the West Daly region.

An estimated 500 people lost their homes and were forced to flee during violent unrest in Wadeye.

Seven months on from the violence, the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics has confirmed about 60 per cent of damaged homes had not been repaired.

A spokeswoman said 125 homes were scoped for repairs following the May unrest, with 51 homes completely repaired and another 19 with works underway.

She said this included replacing the roof on nine homes and repairs to 22 fire-damaged houses.

This property is understood to have been damaged in connection with a family or gang dispute in Wadeye.

DIPL said five new homes had been completed in Wadeye over the past 18 months, with a construction contract expected to complete 14 new homes by 2023.

The department said it was taking a staged approach to repairs, taking into account the extent of damage, whether the house was occupied and plans for displaced families to return.

The April violence led to many Wadeye residents leaving their homes for surrounding communities or making the 400km journey northeast to Darwin.

This led to an “unprecedented influx of rough sleepers” in the Greater Darwin area, according to the latest NT PFES annual report.

A major co-ordinated NT Police operation was sent to the remote community of Wadeye in response to months of violent unrest.

A Territory Families spokesman said it was updating displaced residents about repairs and co-ordinating their safe return to home.

The spokesman said the West Daly Regional Council had almost completed construction of four new shelters in nearby Fossil Head to meet temporary accommodation requirements.

Council chief executive officer Matthew Eastham said while things were improving, overall there continued to be “tension at times and unease in the communities”.

West Daly Regional Council CEO Matthew Eastham said there was still tension in Wadeye. Picture: Supplied

“There are very long standing issues in the communities and thus the strategy and approach towards improvement and healing will take some time,” Mr Eastham said.

Over the past four weeks, an NT Police operation has surged to the remote community after another bout of family fighting.

NT Police are investigating a spate of fresh assaults, including allegations an officer was pelted with rocks by a crowd as she responded to reports of an axe-attack on Thursday.

No one has been arrested or charged in relation to either assault.

A major co-ordinated NT Police operation was sent to the remote community of Wadeye in May in response to months of violent unrest.

The latest council annual report said crime and anti-social behaviour was “occurring with increasing frequency and severity” across the region, with a difficult path ahead for peace.

“The ongoing fighting and tensions in the region hamper efforts to resolve the conflict,” it said.

The report estimated the overarching cost to the council of occupational violence, unlawful entry, infrastructure damage and service disruption equates was more than $200,000, with property damage alone costing $120,000 in 2021-22.

It said this included break-ins at the Wadeye Mechanic Workshop and Peppimenarti Civil

yard, with thieves making off with essential tools and leaving behind damage.

The council said a clinical psychologist was now permanently in Wadeye, after staff had been forced to lock themselves inside council buildings or seek escorts home due to safety fears.

A sign outside the community shop in Wadeye NT.

Mr Eastham said steps had been taken to restore peace, with a cross-government taskforce to address key concerns, including housing, roads, homelands, community consultation, sport and recreation.

“Homelands continues to be uplifted with new structures and improved access and services delivered,” he said.

“This is helping to settle the unrest”

Mr Eastham said four new vehicles had been given to the Wadeye Community Safety Patrols, a team of locals who defused potentially volatile situations, move people to safe environments and help people at risk.

He said since the May unrest the council had brought in an overnight dog squad for the Wadeye Security Patrol.

Mr Eastham said the 12-hour night patrol was having an impact on the safety and security of assets.

Originally published as Wadeye homes still waiting on repairs after ‘unprecedented influx’ of Territorians fleeing unrest