Northern Territory Respite and Recovery Facility to be established in Batchelor

The Finocchiaro CLP Government will establish the Northern Territory Respite and Recovery Facility in Batchelor, with $7 million from the Flood Recovery Fund for emergency evacuation capability ahead of the coming cyclone season.

Transitional accommodation, funded through the existing Batten Road allocation, will accommodate residents relocating before Batten Road closes on 11 October 2026.

A $2 million grant to Coomalie Community Government Council will improve local roads, signage and street lighting, strengthening Batchelor’s role as a strategic regional services hub.

The Finocchiaro CLP Government will establish the Northern Territory Respite and Recovery Facility in Batchelor, providing transitional accommodation and strengthening emergency preparedness ahead of the coming cyclone season.

Located next to the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education, the facility will have separate areas for residents relocating from Batten Road and emergency evacuees.

The Government will invest $7 million from its $100 million Flood Recovery Fund in emergency evacuation capability, with a further $2 million grant to Coomalie Community Government Council for local roads, signage and street lighting.

Transitional accommodation will be delivered through the existing $9.215 million funding allocation. Residents will relocate before the current facility closes on 11 October 2026.

Minister for Children and Families Robyn Cahill said the investment would support people in need while strengthening Batchelor’s role as a regional services hub.

“We will relocate existing demountable buildings from Cutler Place and upgrade them to provide safe transitional accommodation to support Territorians doing it tough to move towards longer-term housing,” Minister Cahill said.

“The new transitional accommodation will focus on assessing residents’ long-term needs through structured case management.”

Minister Responsible for the Flood Recovery Fund Jo Hersey said the emergency evacuation area would be prepared for the coming cyclone season, reducing reliance on community facilities.

“Batchelor played an important role during the 2026 floods, with the Outdoor Education Centre and Institute facilities supporting evacuees from Palumpa and Daly River/Nauiyu,” Minister Hersey said.

“This investment builds on that experience and the lessons learned during the last cyclone and flood season.

“Having a dedicated site ready will help us support evacuees when needed and reduce disruption to sporting facilities, event venues and schools.”

Works will include vegetation clearing, earthworks and essential infrastructure so temporary accommodation and support services can be established quickly when required.

The Finocchiaro CLP Government has also requested further Commonwealth assistance under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. Once the Commonwealth has considered the request, the Government will be able to confirm further allocations from the Flood Recovery Fund.