NT remote rent cancelled amid Victoria River flooding

After a week of heavy rains and flooding, there’s some relief in sight for affected Northern Territory communities including cancelled rent for evacuated residents.

While the risk of a cyclone developing across the Northern Territory has been downgraded, flooding, thunderstorms and heavy rains are expected across the Top End as a tropical low moves across the state.

Storms are unlikely in the Gregory district, offering some good news for the hundreds of people displaced by flooding in Kalkarindji, Daguragu and Pigeon Hole – though it remains unclear when they will be able to return home.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s Rebecca Patrick said a deep tropical air mass extending across the Top End would see a broad area affected by showers and thunderstorms as it slowly moved towards Queensland.

“Early this week we are expecting the weather to remain quite active across the Top End with thunderstorms forecast in that area, and also the Gulf of Carpentaria and Barkly,” the senior forecaster said.

“We might see rainfalls of 20 to 80mm, with the heaviest falls in the east. We could see up to 120mm near the Queensland border.”

Aerial photos of the Vic River Roadhouse during the March 2023 floods of the Victoria River. Photo: Katherine Times.

A flood watch warning is in place for parts of the Top End, Eastern Inland and Carpentaria Coastal catchments.

“The good news is that the conditions have definitely eased off over the Gregory district, there’s a low chance we’ll get some storms but they won’t be heavy,” she said.

A flood warning remains in place for parts of the Victoria River, with high water levels expected to continue through to midweek.

On Monday morning the height of the river was 21.82m and rising at the Victoria River Crossing.

The Vic River Roadhouse shared drone photos showing the waters spilling 2km past the river banks.

Aerial photos of the Vic River Roadhouse during the March 2023 floods of the Victoria River. Photo: Katherine Times.

Water levels have eased along the Upper Victoria River at Kalkarindji, falling below minor flood markers after equalling a more than 20-year high on Thursday.

Of the almost 600 people flown from the flood-zone, 290 are sheltering at the Howard Springs facility.

Victoria River Bridge flooded during the March 2023 floods. Photo: Katherine Times

Gwoja MLA Chansey Paech announced on Twitter Sunday rent would be cancelled for public housing tenants in the affected areas until the extent of the damage could be assessed.

“It’s been a tough few days for my constituents affected by the floods,” Mr Paech said.

“Teams are working to get information to you on rent relief and other disaster relief payments so you know exactly what’s going on.

“I don’t want you worrying about anything like this (at the moment), though – just rest and take care of one another.

“We’ll make sure you’re OK.”

The Victoria Highway remains closed between the Buntine Highway and the Western Australia border.

Water has also inundated parts of the Stuart Highway about 40km north of Tennant Creek, and between Attack Creek and Kelly Creek north culvert.