Katherine Mayor Lis Clark has welcomed the news of a $10 million government funding package to mitigate flooding in Katherine South, but said moving the hospital out of the floodplain remains a priority.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Katherine South Flood Levy Project was given the green light, receiving $9.4 million from the Federal Emergency Response fund and the Territory government contributing the balance of $600,000.
Ms Clark said flood mitigation was required but there was some doubt as to whether the project would work to protect Katherine.,
"I know there are a lot of the older folk whove been here for 50 odd years who feel that it won't work," she said.
"It's hard to say how its going to effect anyone until it's done."
KATHERINE FLOODS - READ MORE
Katherine has faced flooding periodically for nearly a century, with recent major inundations in 2006 and 1998.
As part of planning efforts to prevent widespread flood damage studies have been undertaken. The ambulance station was also moved from near the river to Katherine East in 2017.
Ms Clark said there have long been calls for the Katherine Hospital to also be moved out of the floodplain.
She said a site had been identified for the hospital in Katherine East but it was unclear when any move might take place.
"I think it's something that's been on everyone's books for a long time so we don't need to keep taking people out to the RAAF base [during weather events]."
"The hospital is right next to the river, it would make sense to move it out of the flood zone."
The Katherine works are the largest single project supported under Round 1 of the National Flood Mitigation Program and funded from the $4 billion Federal Emergency Response Fund.
The measures are designed to protect properties and businesses in flooding up to a Q20 flood event - such as that which hit the town in 2006.
A further $11 million from the Territory government will go into the Katherine Flood Mitigation Program, which includes the construction of the Katherine North levee and headworks to support the release of flood-free commercial land to support growth in Katherine East.
A new development in Katherine East, which includes residential land and commercial opportunities, is already in the works and has divided opinion, with some businesses in the CBD opposing the move fearing it will hurt existing businesses.
Northern Territory Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Eva Lawler said Katherine South construction should begin in the dry season of 2022 now that a formal funding agreement between the Australian and Territory Governments has been finalised.
"The project involves the construction of three kilometres of new levees, running along the eastern side of Katherine South to the southern tip, 1.6 metres above the ground," she said.
"Works will include solid wall levees and road raisings. There will also be two-way cross drainage culverts constructed under the length of the levee.
"These works will protect Katherine in up to a Q20 flood, similar to the flooding event in 2006, and the development of parcels in Katherine East are specifically designed to support Katherine's resilience to flood events like that experienced in 1998, to ensure access to essential goods and supplies."
National Recovery and Resilience Agency Coordinator-General, Shane Stone, said he was delighted to play a role in protecting a community very close to his heart.
"I was the Northern Territory Chief Minister during the 1998 Katherine flood and it left a really deep impact on me," he said.
"When I visited the community in the immediate aftermath, I talked to people who'd lost everything.
"The hardest part for many was the loss of photos and other treasured memories - things no amount of money can bring back."
The damages from the 1998 flood have been estimated at $70 million, with the broader cost to the community estimated at $201 million.
"The Productivity Commission and the Insurance Council of Australia say we spend 97 percent on mopping up after a natural disaster and three percent on getting ready. We need to flip this.
"Katherine's new flood levee is a move in the right direction," he said.
Twenty-two projects across all states and territories have been supported under Round 1 of the National Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Program, with a total of $50 million provided so far from the Emergency Response Fund.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark katherinetimes.com.au
- Subscribe to Katherine Times here
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @KatherineTimes
- Follow us on Instagram @katherinetimes
- Follow us on Google News
- Contact us at editor.kathtimes@austcommunitymedia.com.au
DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY?: Send letters to the editor or story tips to editor.kathtimes@austcommunitymedia.com.au