Plan to fast track itinerant camp plan as long grassers return to Darwin after travel restrictions ease

A PROPOSAL for a new itinerant camp in Darwin could be fast-tracked in anticipation of a flood of remote Territorians returning to town once biosecurity zone travel restrictions are lifted

A proposed land swap deal would give long grassers a place to self-isolate in Darwin after travel restrictions are eased next month

THE Gwalwa Daraniki Association is hoping to fast track its proposal for a new itinerant camp in Darwin in anticipation of a flood of remote Territorians returning to town once biosecurity zone travel restrictions are lifted.

The organisation — which controls the 300ha Kulaluk lease on Dick Ward Dr — is in talks with the NT Government to establish the facility as part of a $1.2 million land swap deal.

GDA consultant secretary and Country Liberal Party candidate Steve Doherty said the association would now meet with top government bureaucrat Jodie Ryan at the end of the month to discuss fast tracking the project with travel restrictions set to be lifted in June.

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“The initial infrastructure on the temporary side of it would just be a slab with a shed, fencing around it and then a men’s ablution, a women’s ablution and cookout area,” he said.

“Then it would take a year or two or three even to complete the works on the other stage of the development that would be a more permanent transient community arrangement post-COVID.”

Mr Doherty said the facility would provide long grassers with a place to quarantine if necessary and access to virus testing and other health services which was often the reason they had come to Darwin in the first place.

“The pandemic raises the need for this even more because hygiene’s even more in need and people coming to town need somewhere to go to the toilet, they need somewhere to cook and somewhere to sleep,” he said.

“Set half of it up as a temporary medical hospital where you come in and do your 14 days quarantine and then get your temperature checked and everything and then you’re directed by agencies to whatever it is you’re in town to do.”

A spokeswoman for the Chief Minister’s Department said the government would continue to work with the GDA to progress the proposal.

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“The Department of the Chief Minister is continuing to work with the Gwalwa Daraniki Association on their proposed Kulaluk land deal to establish temporary accommodation facilities for itinerants and visitors to Darwin,” she said.

“However, there is a significant body of work to be undertaken before a final decision can be made. This work includes land surveys, a detailed assessment of the proposed business model and an understanding of the wider community’s response to the proposal.”