Katherine NT crime: Mayor Lis Clark pleads for NT government support amid ‘crime wave’

Constant vandalism, staff threatened, rough sleepers, alleged DV murders, tonnes of rubbish – Katherine’s mayor has issued a plea to her local MLA, saying her town is punch drunk. Here’s how Ms Hersey responded.

Katherine Mayor Lis Clark, Katherine MLA Jo Hersey, and Katherine Town Council CEO Ingrid Stonhill. Picture: Facebook

Katherine’s mayor has issued a desperate plea to her local member, Education Minister Jo Hersey, warning the town is being strangled by an epidemic of crime and anti-social behaviour and expressing concern there was no specific plan to help the township get back on its feet.

In response to Mayor Lis Clark’s missive, in which she accused the CLP of talking the talk but failing to walk the walk, Ms Hersey said she was “somewhat disappointed” to receive such a “harsh letter”, pointing to the government’s Reducing Crime package as evidence of its bona fides.

Ms Clark’s letter, sent on October 3 and published by Katherine Town Council, was prompted by the alleged domestic violence murder of a 22-year-old woman at O’Shea Tce.

Since then, a 61-year-old Katherine East woman has also been killed, allegedly at the hands of her partner, the fourth suspected domestic violence homicide in the Big Rivers region in just four months.

Katherine Women’s Information and Legal Service said in its latest annual report Katherine women were “some of the most at-risk people in the country” amid a DV offending rate of 7121 per 100,000 people in 2023.

Ms Clark told Ms Hersey in her letter the alleged DV killings were just the tip of a rotten iceberg.

“Crime statistics show a troubling increase in unlawful entries, criminal damage, including stolen motor vehicles, youth disturbances, and domestic violence at levels not seen in recent times,” she wrote.

“The town is plagued by alcohol consumption, smashed bottles, and rough sleepers.”

Ms Clark said council staff felt increasingly like they had been marooned with little support from the NT Government.

“Our council cleans up 4.2 tonnes of rubbish by hand every month, increasing each month,” she wrote.

“Our staff face threats and assaults from intoxicated individuals while performing their duties.

“Our facilities are continually vandalised, with rocks and bottles thrown at our vehicles.”

Ms Clark, in her letter, claimed Ms Hersey had a history of chastising the council for spending ratepayer cash on repairing vandalism and criminal damage, and challenged her to actually do something about it, now she had her hands on the levers of power.

“What are you doing to help our town?” Ms Clark asked.

“You have long advocated for change and garnered support to stop this crime wave.

“Please outline your plan for Katherine … You have a responsibility to prioritise [the town].

“We implore you to collaborate with us and local agencies to address this crisis.”

In response to Ms Clark’s letter, Ms Hersey wrote she was “somewhat disappointed to have received such a harsh letter from you, given we have had such a good working relationship previously”.

Ms Hersey said her party made it clear during the election campaign reducing crime was the CLP’s number one priority, and pointed to the passage of the Reducing Crime package (new nuisance drinking laws, Declan’s law, reducing the age of criminal responsibility) as evidence of its commitment.

Jo Hersey as the new NT cabinet is sworn in at Government House. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“Of course I share your concerns of crime in the community. It is not acceptable,” Ms Hersey wrote.

Ms Hersey’s office denied suggestions of a rift between the pair, although this masthead understands the relationship has at times been rocky.

Regarding Ms Clark’s central claim – that the township is currently undergoing a wave of crime and anti-social behaviour “at levels not seen in recent times” – it is difficult to test this, as NT Police say data before the implementation of the SerPro case management system in November 2023 cannot be compared with data collected afterwards.