Gerard Maley MLA calls for answers over ‘complete chaos’ at Howard Springs

The government has confirmed windows have been broken at Howard Springs, but the search for answers continues on just how much damage has been done to the facility housing flood evacuees.

The Howard Springs facility was repurposed to house flood evacuees from Kalkarindji, Pigeon Hole and Daguragu. Picture: News Corp Australia

Significant damage has been done to the Howard Springs Centre for National Resilience currently housing flood evacuees, the deputy leader of the opposition has suggested.

Nelson MLA Gerard Maley submitted written questions to the government on Thursday, in hopes of prompting government admission on his otherwise unverified claims.

In a Facebook comment Monday, Mr Maley said he was “concerned about the damage done to the Howard Springs camp” and had not yet received a response from the government.

He was responding to an anonymous post that echoed several claims made by people who allegedly knew workers at the facility afraid to speak out for fear of losing their job.

Mr Maley raised concerns on Mix 104.9 on March 15, saying it was “complete chaos” at the facility.

“It’s been my understanding (it) has been extremely damaged to a point where some parts of the (centre are going to be) condemned,” he said.

“There seems to be no measures at all in relation to controlling alcohol,” he told Katie Woolf.

Mr Maley alleged there had been assaults and domestic violence at the facility, and police had established a domestic violence safe house.

Deputy Opposition leader Gerard Maley has said there was “complete chaos” at the Howard Springs facility. Picture: File

When asked how he knew the violence and destruction was occurring, Mr Maley said: “Darwin’s a small place.”

“I speak to people who are friends who work there, I just hear stories.”

He called on the government to “be open and transparent” about what was happening at the Howard Springs facility.

“What’s going on, and what’s the cost of the damage … what alcohol measures have they got in place?,” he said.

A government spokeswoman said damage had been reported at the facility, but the extent was yet to be known.

“In addition to expected wear and tear, there has been some damage sustained to infrastructure and facilities at CNR, such as broken windows and chattels,” she said.

“An assessment of repairs and restoration works required will be conducted as evacuees are repatriated and their temporary dwellings are vacated.”

The spokeswoman on Wednesday said there were 579 people at CNR, with 185 people repatriated to the floodzones since March 24.

That process would continue is stages as homes in Kalkarindji, Dagaragu and Pigeon were repaired and cleared for occupancy.

“Residents who choose not to accept the bus transport back to their community will arrange their own accommodation and transport,” she said.

Palmerston Councillor Sarah Henderson said the flood evacuees moving into the facility early March coincided with a noticeable increase in people sleeping rough around Palmerston, and more violence on the streets.

“It’s like a war zone at night,” she said.

“Palmerston’s a mess … there’s a lot of fighting and drinking at night.”

NT Police confirmed they had seen an increase in alcohol-related incidents – not alcohol fuelled violence – across the Palmerston region in the past month, but official data would not be released until May.

The City of Palmerston Mayor Athina Pascoe-Bell saw an increase in rough-sleeping around Palmerston. Photograph: Che Chorley

Palmerston mayor Athina Pascoe-Bell said the council had raised concerns with the NT government over the operation of the Howard Springs facility.

“I’ve been asking them questions about what’s been going on at Howard Springs and they haven’t been giving us too many details.”

“I really have to thank the police for the extra effort they’ve been putting in,” she said.

Ms Pascoe-Bell wanted more consultation from government, arguing key stakeholders had been left out of decision making.

She gave an example of bus-loads of people being “effectively stranded” in the Palmerston CBD overnight after inadequate bus services were organised in the early days of the facility being opened to flood victims.

Some rough-sleepers who spoke to Ms Pascoe-Bell told her they were from flooded communities, and felt homesick.

“They indicated they did not want to be staying out at Howard Springs,” she said.

It was not suggested the rough sleepers were responsible for any violence in Palmerston.

The government spokeswoman said CNR staffing levels “reflect the safety and welfare needs of the evacuees who remain”.

Agencies including the Red Cross, Larrakia Nation, Foodbank, 54 Reasons and Salvation Army, along with government and health departments and Victoria River council’s Night Patrol, remain engaged at the centre.

The spokeswoman said services gave on-site support to evacuees including “social-emotional supports, safety planning and social and wellbeing programs”.

“The CNR is a ‘restricted premises’ which means alcohol is banned on site,” she said.

“The safety and welfare of residents is the priority of all agencies and services on site.

“A number of community leaders are meeting regularly with the Welfare Group, providing invaluable support for the three communities who have been displaced from their homes due to the extreme weather event.

“NT Police have an on-site presence at CNR and with Wilsons Security and Victoria Daly Regional Council, a Night Patrol model has been established that includes residents as patrollers.

“This Night Patrol is providing valuable support and engagement with residents at CNR.”