Remote community Nitjpurru meets with NT authorities to discuss flood plans

A remote Top End community with a long history of being hit by floods has met with authorities, calling for greater emergency support and a long-term solution to house their residents.

Residents of Nitjpurru, formerly known as Pigeon Hole, have met with stakeholders ahead of the 2024/25 wet season, calling on Northern Territory authorities to issue weather warnings earlier. Picture: Northern Land Council.

A remote Top End community with a long history of flooding has held an emergency meeting, calling on authorities and government to support them ahead of the looming Wet Season.

This week, residents of Nitjpurru – formerly known as Pigeon Hole – sat down to discuss their emergency flood plan with various representatives from the Northern Land Council, NT Emergency Service, Victoria Daly Regional Council and the NT Police.

Located 700 kilometres south of Darwin, Nitjpurru, home to around 140 people, has experienced several severe floods which have submerged the homes of locals.

With residents expecting to be hit again, the meeting offered locals and authorities alike a chance to get on the same page.

Residents of Nitjpurru express their concerns. Picture: Northern Land Council.

Traditional owner Elmore Anzac told the meeting a number of objectives needed to be achieved before the next flood.

“We have been saying for a long time now, that we need a safe place to go in the floods,” he said.

“We need that shelter fixed up, and to get power and water up there.”

However, Mr Anzac maintained a long-term solution was required.

“These big floods have been happening for generations, so we also need the government to support us to make the proper plans to relocate the community,” he said.

“We don’t want to have to evacuate to Darwin each year - it’s not safe, not everyone wants to go, and all our pets stay behind, and we don’t see them again.”

Early warning was another issue raised, with NT Police and NTES asked to ensure critical updates were passed on.

One of the community’s makeshift shelters erected by locals last season. Picture: Northern Land Council.

Last Wet Season, residents who remained behind manufactured their own makeshift shelters using plastic and mesh fencing.

Locals fear they will have to use the same improvisations in the coming months.

Another issue is the community’s poor telecommunications signal, which has left residents in the dark to outside warnings.

However, the community’s telecommunication situation is expected to improve, with the Walangeri Ngumpinku Aboriginal Corporation confirming a new Telstra Tower was being progressed through a sacred sites assessment by the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority.

A structure used by residents when floods hit. Picture: Northern Land Council.

NLC Chair Matthew Ryan said action “must be taken” to improve the community’s readiness.

“With the big floods that Nitjpurru has faced in recent years, it was important for the community to hold this meeting and for a coordinated plan to be organised,” he said.

“The safety and wellbeing of the residents depends on all stakeholders acting swiftly.”