Pod plan to return community residents home after floods

Many remote community residents whose homes were destroyed by flood waters will soon have a pathway home. Find out how the plan will work.

Potentially hundreds of remote residents affected by flooding will return to their communities in coming weeks to live in temporary housing.

The NT government has secured 13 temporary accommodation ”pods”, which will be used to house flood-affected residents from Kalkarindji and Daguragu communities.

Each pod contains nine separate lockable bedrooms, a shared living, cooking and laundry area, covered breezeway and amenities.

Daguragu floods caused havoc early this year. Picture: Richundia Newry Wardle

The cost is approximately $400,000 a pod at a total tab to taxpayers of about $5.2m.

A spokeswoman for the NT government said the 13 pods were an “initial” order.

Expected to accommodate an average of two people per room, each pod is expected to house 18 people.

Hundreds of remote community residents were forced to relocate to Darwin and other major NT centres after floods forced them to evacuate their homes in late February and early March.

The three affected communities were Kalkarindji, Daguragu and Pigeon Hole.

Many have been living at the Centre for National Resilience in Howard Springs.

The NT government revealed last week there were 579 community residents living in Howard Springs. So far 185 people have been repatriated back to Kalkarindji since March 24.

The first of the 18 pods are expected to deployed to Kalkarindji beginning Monday.

Floods devestated Daguragu and other communities in February and March. Picture: Richundia Newry Wardle

They will be installed on existing serviced lots providing access to power, water and sewerage.

An NT government spokeswoman said recovery operations are continuing in all three communities.

“Approximately 180 people have been repatriated home to Kalkarindji and more will be returning over coming days as their homes are restored to a liveable standard and certificates of occupancy issued,” the spokeswoman said.

“The first repatriation to Daguragu is expected after Easter.

“Essential services and road access to Kalkarindji and Daguragu have been restored and work is continuing on dwellings.

“In Pigeon Hole, power, water and sewerage have been restored, however there is no road access as yet, no telecommunications, no fuel and buildings are damaged.

“As such, there is no set date for repatriations to that community to commence.”

Floods damaged hundreds of homes in Daguragu, Pigeon Hole and Kalkarindji. Picture: Chansey Paech.

Sourced from an unidentified local NT business, the $400,000 cost per pod includes purchase, transportation to community, installation and services connection.

A government spokeswoman told the NT News, residents would be offered bus transport back to communities, and would have to pay their own transport and accommodation if they declined a lift.

Palmerston councillor Sarah Henderson said there had been an increase in the number of people sleeping rough around the city since remote residents were relocated.

Police confirmed an increase in alcohol-related incidents.

Deputy Opposition Leader Gerald Maley has called on the government to release the damage bill at Howard Springs since remote residents moved in last month.