Health services redeployed, closed amid Wadeye, Peppimenarti unrest

Staff remain in place at health clinics in Peppimenarti following the death of a man amid community unrest. But it’s a different story a few kilometres away.

Health staff remain in Peppimenarti to deliver essential services as the community deals with “unprecedented” levels of community violence after a man was fatally shot by a crossbow.

NT Health have confirmed two nurses are at the Peppimenarti health centre along with Aboriginal support staff, which remains open on Thursday.

“To maintain essential service delivery, nursing staff at Peppimenarti Health Centre remain in the community and are working closely with NT Police and stakeholders,” an NT Health spokeswoman said.

“NT Health has multiple strategies in place to manage resources in remote settings, which includes redeploying staff as required.”

However, the NT News understands the health clinic in the neighbouring Wadeye community is closed today.

A sign on the door of the clinic reads “due to break ins to clinic homes and staff threats the clinic will be remaining closed until further notice”.

A source said it was in response to clinic staff being “terrorised and traumatised” by multiple alleged unlawful entries.

The NT Health spokeswoman the number of staff in the community can change day-to-day.

“Staff numbers at the Peppimenarti Health Centre fluctuates daily depending on the services being delivered,” she said.

“Aeromedical services are also available to provide support as required and in emergencies.”

A person was also treated for minor injuries on Tuesday evening at the Peppimenarti Health Centre in the community.

It comes as council staff prepare to evacuate and services are shut in West Daly communities.

West Daly Regional Council chief executive Matthew Eastham said he had “serious concerns” for Peppimenarti, as well as nearby communities Nganmarriyanga (Palumpa) and Wadeye.

“As a council and as a CEO we are very concerned about the safety and welfare of our people across the region,” Mr Eastham said.

“We’ve closed all council services and our contractors left early this morning.

“The majority of our staff left earlier today, and the manager is leaving the community shortly.

“We have evacuated who we can.”

Mr Eastham said four permanent staff, several contractors, and their families had left Peppimenarti.

“These events often spill over into other communities and affect other families,” he said.

“We’re looking how we provide support to Peppimenarti as well as Palumpa and Wadeye.”

Mr Eastham said there had been a range of issues impacting the West Daly region.

“I think it’s unprecedented the number of occupational violence, unlawful entries, intimidation and assaults against our people as well as stealing of vehicles that’s been happening,” Mr Eastham said.

“My people in council are very fatigued and very worried.

“There’s alcohol everywhere across the region but there is evidence of a large influx of alcohol in Wadeye.

“Wadeye in particular is having some real problems, including violence against our staff.

“With a lot of different clan groups living together there is always going to be issues with overcrowding, a lack of services and things for people to do.

West Daly Regional Council chief executive Matthew Eastham (right). Picture: Supplied

“We send our condolences to the family, everyone involved in this unfortunate situation

“We really encourage people to look out for each other and stay safe.”

Wadeye remains a dry community, even after recent changes to the Liquor Act allowed booze to return to 400 remote communities for the first time since the 2007 Intervention.

The Peppimenarti Club is the only area where adults can drink and there is a limit of four mid-strength beers a day.

A Wadeye resident, who wished not to be named, said Elders had tried to stop the free flow of alcohol into their community.

Wadeye

However, he said there had been “truckloads” of alcohol getting into the West Daly region and escalating levels of drug use.

The Wadeye resident said the sly grog market would sell a case of full-strength beer for $300 and a bottle of rum for $500.

He said while tensions had been simmering in the neighbouring Peppimenarti community, he was worried the fatal arrow shooting would cause a new wave of unrest.

Northern Territory Police seized a quantity of liquor and cannabis destined for alcohol protected areas. Supplied: NT Police

“That’s been brewing for some time in Peppi,” he said.

“(But this) came out of the blue.

“There will be payback, obviously.”

The West Daly resident said the “worst part” of the ongoing unrest in his home was the delayed response.

“The government has been sitting on it for a long time,” he said.

In May, about 500 people lost their homes to violence in Wadeye, with arsonists and rioters damaging about 80 homes and destroying 37 other houses.

The Wadeye resident said the government was still refurbishing the destroyed houses four months on from the unrest.

He hoped the houses would be ready in time for wet season, when the 500 people displaced by the violence were expected to return home.