The Fyles government wasted a flood of taxpayer dollars when it built six homes in a known flood zone, according to Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Steve Edgington.
Chief Minister Natasha Fyles today defended her government’s construction of six homes in a flood zone at Pigeon Hole by blaming the community’s location preference.
“But that doesn’t mean you have to build homes in a location you know will get flooded again and again,” Mr Edgington said.
“And it especially doesn’t mean you build the homes without any flood mitigation works for those homes or the rest of the community.
“Taxpayers expect more value for their money than building sitting ducks for every flood that comes across the Top End.
“The residents of those homes are now displaced and likely to return to an absolute mess, if they are able to return at all.”
Mr Edgington said evacuees were left in the dark on what would happen next and what was happening with their personal and sentimental belongings.
He called on the government to establish a Local Emergency Committee to communicate with key stakeholders and residents of Pigeon Hole and the other evacuated communities.
“They have no idea what they are going to do. No one is telling them anything,” he said.
“They don’t know when they will be allowed to return or even if their homes and possessions are safe while they are stuck in Darwin.
“At least with a dedicated Local Emergency Committee, there would be someone looking after the interests of the evacuees and answering their questions.
“Moving forward, plans need to be established and implemented to future-proof these communities in the event of any further emergencies.”
ENDS