The Albanese Labor Government is delivering more than a million dollars in recovery support to the Daly River/Nauiyu community following the devastating flooding that caused widespread damage across the region earlier this year.
The community experienced the most significant flooding event in its history, with residents evacuated by air and boat on two separate occasions during a single wet season.
The flooding caused extensive damage to homes, community facilities and essential infrastructure, leaving key services and community spaces unusable.
In response, the National Indigenous Australians Agency will support a range of one-off community-led projects aimed at rebuilding important community facilities and strengthening essential services.
Green River Aboriginal Corporation will receive $450,000 for the Nauiyu Critical Services Recovery Project (Stages 1-3), including restoration activities for the aged care facility and staff accommodation, Night Patrol staff accommodation, restoration of power to Merrepen Arts Centre, restoration and replacement of sport and recreation facilities, and restoration of the Miriam Rose Foundation activity room and Green River staff accommodation.
Nauiyu Nambiyu Aboriginal Corporation will receive $420,000 for the establishment of a demountable kitchen to restore food service capability, the restoration of critical fuel infrastructure, and the restoration of flood-damaged accommodation facilities at the Daly River Inn.
Merrepen Arts will receive $50,000 to replace flood-damaged resources and equipment to help restore art centre operations.
Miriam Rose Foundation Aboriginal Corporation will receive $50,000 to replace flood-damaged equipment and program resources for the Miriam Rose Foundation activity room and accommodation.
Catholic Education Office will receive $50,000 to replace flood-damaged educational assets for St Francis Xavier Catholic School in Nauiyu.
Victoria Daly Regional Council will receive $14,500 to restore Community Night Patrol services in Nauiyu to enhance community safety and support services.
The community will also benefit from economic opportunities generated through the Remote Jobs and Economic Development (RJED) Program, which supports businesses and organisations to create sustainable employment opportunities for local people and build long-term capability within their communities.
In the latest RJED grant round, the Nauiyu community will benefit from the employment of four Social and Emotional Wellbeing Officers at Green River Aboriginal Corporation, who will play a vital role in supporting the community during challenging times.
In addition, Merrepen Arts will be strengthened through the appointment of six new art centre staff.
This builds on eight jobs created through earlier RJED grant rounds, including positions with local employer Mamulbak, which currently employs five local staff as tour guides and cultural advisors to support the development of a sustainable tourism venture in the region.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
"The Albanese Government stands with the people of Nauiyu as they recover from this devastating flooding event.
"The scale of damage experienced by the community has been immense. Homes, essential services and important community facilities were severely impacted, and recovery will take time.
"These investments will support community-led recovery efforts, helping to restore critical community facilities, strengthen local services and rebuild places that bring people together.
"Nauiyu is a strong and resilient community. These projects will help ensure local people are supported not only in recovery but in building a stronger future.
"Alongside these recovery measures, our Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program is creating new employment opportunities in the community, supporting economic participation and delivering lasting benefits for the community."
Quotes attributable to Special Envoy for Remote Communities, Marion Scrymgour:
"The people of Nauiyu have shown incredible strength and resilience through one of the most devastating flooding events the community has experienced.
“These investments will help restore essential services and facilities by supporting organisations to come up local solutions that work best for the community.
“Importantly, these investments will create local jobs that will strengthen the community's economic recovery. We're backing Nauiyu to rebuild a stronger community that is capable of withstanding future devastating weather events."