NT government outlines cold weather response amid calls for a ‘Code Blue’

The government has outline how it helps rough sleepers caught in extreme weather in Central Australia amid calls for more support systems.

A new dignity service has been introduced in Alice Springs as part of the government’s response to protecting rough sleepers from freezing weather conditions.

A Territory Families, Housing and Communities spokesman said there were a number of steps the organisation took to ensure people are safe during cold snaps, heavy rains and other extreme weather events.

He said in extreme weather events an assertive outreach team went into areas where temporary camps were set up, or where rough sleepers were known to frequent.

“In the first instance, people at these camps or sleeping rough are asked if they would like us to try and secure accommodation through Mission Australia’s Stuart Lodge or Aboriginal Hostel Limited’s visitor park or hostels,” he said.

A river bed in Alice Springs where rough sleepers are known to frequent during winter 2016. PICTURE: Claire Ryan

“Where these options are not available in extreme weather events, we facilitate short term emergency accommodation for rough sleepers in other accommodation types including caravan parks and hotels.

“If emergency accommodation is unavailable, or where rough sleepers state that they do not wish to move, our teams take steps to ensure that the immediate needs of that person are met, this includes providing warm clothing and blankets or a hot meal.”

He said the organisation had begun offering a new dignity service out of the Alice Springs Town Council library which allowed those who are homeless to have a hot shower, food and stock up on warm clothing or blankets.

“These responses are a component of the broader support we provide to people who are homeless,” he said.

“In 2022-23, we committed $31.085m in grant funding to 19 non-government providers for the delivery of 58 specialist homelessness services programs in urban and regional centres across the Northern Territory.”

Sector calls for Code Blue response

NT Shelter has been calling for a Code Blue for rough sleepers in Alice Springs in freezing conditions, including temporary accommodation options and material aid for those sleeping rough.

NT Shelter Central Australia Regional Co-ordinator Annie Taylor said there were examples of Code Blue programs in other jurisdictions which could be easily replicated in Alice Springs.

In South Australia, for example, the government in co-ordination with other service providers issues a Code Blue response if at least two of three conditions are expected to continue for more than three days.

The conditions include temperatures dropping below an average night time low of 6C, significant rainfall causing difficulty for people rough sleeping to remain dry and damaging wind gusts posing risk for personal safety.

“If we were using these thresholds as a guide, Alice Springs would have already met several this winter,” Ms Taylor said.

According to Bureau of Meteorology data, there have been six different occasions since June 1 this year where minimum temperatures have dropped below 6C for three consecutive days, with last winter recording 14 consecutive days where the minimum temperature dropped below 0C, and as low as -4C.

Ms Taylor said as weather became more extreme it was essential the government step in and produce a response for people sleeping rough in Alice Springs.

“There are people out there, of different ages, abilities and with various health conditions, who are sleeping in the cold, wet sand or on concrete or grass,” she said.

“This has hugely detrimental effects on health and wellbeing and it’s simply not right.”