Defence force to assist with flood recovery in Northern Territory
The Australian government has approved the deployment of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel to help clean up after severe flooding in the Northern Territory.
Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain confirmed the support following a request from the Northern Territory government.
ADF crews are expected to begin recovery work from Monday, focusing on areas around Katherine, which were heavily affected by recent flooding.
What the ADF will do
Military personnel will assist with a range of recovery tasks as communities begin to rebuild after the floodwaters receded.
These efforts may include:
• clearing debris and damaged infrastructure
• helping restore access to affected areas
• supporting local recovery teams
McBain said planning for the deployment was already underway.
“Those logistics are being worked out, but they’ll be there to assist for the next 10 to 14 days, depending on what is required in that clean-up process,” she told ABC Radio.
Flood damage in the Top End
Severe flooding has impacted parts of the Top End, including Katherine and surrounding communities.
Images from the region show streets and properties submerged by floodwaters following intense rainfall.
The flooding has disrupted transport routes and forced local recovery operations to begin across several affected areas.
ADF already helping locally
McBain noted that some defence personnel had already been assisting informally in the region.
“A number of those ADF personnel have already been assisting in their own capacities,” she said.
The official deployment will expand that support and coordinate efforts with local authorities.
Recovery efforts continuing
Emergency crews and local authorities are continuing to assess damage across the region.
The federal government says additional assistance may be provided if conditions require further support.
For communities around Katherine, the coming weeks are expected to focus on clean-up, repairs and rebuilding after the floodwaters.