Wadeye residents still homeless weeks after widespread violence

Local locals say that dozens of people remain without proper accommodation months after civil unrest in the remote Northern Territory community of Wadeye forced many families to flee their homes.

Traditional owners Steven Pultchen, Stephen Bunduck, Anne Marie Nudjulu and Margaret Perdjert in Wadeye. Picture: Supplied

Locals say dozens of people remain without accommodation months after civil unrest in the Northern Territory community of Wadeye forced many families to flee their homes.

The township of about 3000 people on the coast southwest of Darwin has been in turmoil since the death of a local man earlier this year escalated longstanding tensions, sparking widespread violence in April and May. Police have arrested 25 people, 10 of whom were remanded to appear in court.

A 57-year-old alleged gang leader was bailed this week on charges related to rioting that a court heard “has led to the near-collapse of the large community”.

The man’s lawyer said he was a cultural leader and denied he participated in gangs.

At least 35 homes have been destroyed and about 100 damaged in the fighting that government sources say involved groups of 50–300 people carrying weapons and caused significant injuries and other property damage.

Not long after the trouble broke out, Wadeye leaders shut down attempts by journalists to visit the community. They are understood to have been angered by the portrayal of their community, especially on social media.

Traditional owner Margaret Perdjert told The Weekend Australian she was “not feeling happy” about one-sided depictions of the strife and wanted help to bring Wadeye back together. “I know a lot of people are really getting upset about what they are seeing on social media,” she said.

Another local characterised the leaders’ perspective as not wanting to conceal the violence but rather to have it understood in context. “They want people to understand that there’s a lot more to it than just family feuding,” the local said.

“There are 3000 people here, but there are not 3000 jobs. There’s no swimming pool, no good roads – there’s really only a store, and nothing else to look forward to.

“Some families are living 15 people in a house with one toilet. That toilet breaks, and they all have to go next door for three weeks, so then you’ve got 30 people to a house with one toilet … It’s really hard.”

A group of leaders previously told The Weekend Australian the unrest was rooted in economic decline.