There is a lot of information about coronavirus (COVID-19) going around that is causing confusion. The situation is changing rapidly, so Roper Gulf Regional Council wants all stakeholders to make sure they can trust the information they are getting. Stakeholders should remember that Council is not the lead agency in fighting COVID-19. The Australian and Northern Territory Governments are making decisions about HEALTH, ISOLATION, SOCIAL DISTANCING, QUARANTINING and TRAVEL. While Council is committed to keeping essential services going, health and travel questions need to be directed to the agencies below:
FOR HEALTH QUESTIONS: Call
the 24/7 National Advice Hotline on 1800 020 080.
FOR REMOTE TRAVEL QUESTIONS:
Call the NT Government Remote Travel Hotline on 1800 518 189.
FOR ROPER GULF REGIONAL
COUNCIL SERVICE QUESTIONS: Call the Council office on 0427 674 212.
The Coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic is impacting on the lives of all Australians. While there
are currently no cases of COVID-19 in the Big Rivers Region, it is important
for us to change the way we live and work to slow the spread of the virus.
Roper Gulf Regional
Council Mayor Judy MacFarlane urges residents of the Roper Gulf Region to support
each other at this time. “This is a time for our Region to come together to
show kindness, patience and comradery. We know that the Northern Territory
already has an incredible sense of community, so I have no doubt that through
this time we will see the best of it in all of us.”
“Like all other
residents and businesses in Australia, we’re asking that everyone maintains
high standards of hygiene and cleanliness. While COVID-19 is not an injury we
can see, its effects have been felt throughout the world.”
“We would like to
assure you that our Council is following the advice of the Northern Territory Government
and World Health Organisation (WHO) in regards to the COVID-19 outbreak to
protect the safety and wellbeing of our residents, staff, stakeholders and the
wider community.”
“As we go through
these uncertain times, we will work closely with the communities that make up
the Roper Gulf Region and our neighbouring Councils to make sure we are
continuing to deliver essential services to those who need them most and limit
the access of outsiders.”
“In the coming
weeks, we will see changes in how we communicate and deliver those services. We
will come together to begin and build new ways that best suit each community.”
On Friday 13 March
2020, Council established a Business Continuity Committee (BCC) to oversee all
matters relating to how Council wil deliver services during the pandemic.
Call this line if
you are seeking information on coronavirus (COVID-19). The national hotline
operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week – 1800 020 080.
There is a dedicated
COVID-19 hotline number for the Northern Territory for people who need to
arrange testing only – 1800 008 002.
There is a dedicated
COVID-19 Remote Community Travel Hotline for the NT – 1800 518 189. Call this
line if you are seeking information regarding traveling to a NT remote
community. NT remote communities have
been closed to all non-essential travel in response to concerns about the
spread of COVID-19.
This family of five is heading off to be desexed by the vet team.
Roper Gulf Regional Council is committed to contributing to safe and harmonious community living through improving animal services across the Region. With the Northern Territory having the highest rates of hospitalisation from dog attack per capita of any jurisdiction in Australia, Council has been working to tackle this issue head on, with a management program to make communities safer.
Veterinarian Dr. Samantha Phelan organises the program and has highlighted the importance of education and an effective surgical desexing program in order to reduce the likelihood of dog attacks.
“Desexing dogs reduces territorial and hormonally fuelled reproductive aggression. It also reduces the number of dogs on the ground which reduces pack formation. People have calmer and healthier pets. Desexed dogs tend to listen better and are easier to control.” says Dr Phelan.” We now have many communities with around 80% of their pets desexed.”
Roper Gulf Regional Council teamed up with Sunrise Health to collate de-identified data on dog bites in the region to evaluate the community safety arm of the council program. The dog bites are graded in severity so bites of serious concern can be further investigated.
“The key to the success of this program is education” says Dr Phelan. “Our program has dedicated significant resources to Council, household and school-based education on dog bite prevention and awareness. Children are taught how to read a dog’s body language and respond safely. Adults are made aware of just how truly dangerous a “cheeky dog” can be and are encouraged to report dogs of concern”.
The collected data shows that Council is seeing fewer dog attacks in the communities of Barunga, Bulman, Jilkminggan, Mataranka, Ngukurr and Beswick.
“These positive changes have come about by communities reporting dangerous pets, desexing dogs, better owner control, and fewer dogs running in packs.”
The Roper Gulf Animal Management Program aims to improve public safety, amenity and environmental health via the animal health, welfare and control program.
In house council veterinarians deliver services to the communities of Barunga, Beswick, Bulman, Weemol, Manyallaluk, Jilkminggan, Minyerri, Urapunga, Ngukurr, Numbulwar, Borroloola and Robinson River.
The veterinarians are assisted in the field by four casual Animal Management Assistants, local ranger groups and veterinary nurses.
The Roper Gulf Animal Management Team are grateful to all the residents in the Region for their up-take of the vet program, creating changes that will help make communities safer and more peaceful places to live.
For further information, please contact Roper Gulf Regional Council on
Telephone: (08) 8972 9000 or Email: info@ropergulf.nt.gov.au
Roper Gulf Regional Council has seen an increase in desexing rate over the past year.
The renovations have been a welcome upgrade, delivering safe living conditions for the Residents of the Town Camp.
In November 2018 the Department of Local Government, Housing and Community Development awarded funding to Roper Gulf Regional Council for priority upgrades at Mulggan Town Camp. The grant provided funding of $1 Million to ensure safer living conditions for all residents.
This funding is part of the $24 Million Room to Breathe Program allocated by the Territory Government for urgent repairs and maintenance of housing and essential services in town camps.
Mulggan Town Camp is located north-east of Mataranka. The Town Camp consists of eight residential dwellings that are serviced by sewer, water and electricity and a number of temporary dwellings that are not serviced.
Before renovations were started the Town Camps Futures Unit visited Mataranka for consultations with local residents and traditional owners of the Mulggan Town Camp. The purpose of the visit was to provide an opportunity for engagement, to learn about their visions and aspirations for the future of their community and use consultations to make more balanced and informed decisions.
Roper Gulf Regional Council Mayor, Judy MacFarlane, says the completed works were a much needed upgrade to the Town Camp and by consulting with the residents beforehand their needs were considered in to the renovations process.
“It is fantastic to see the results of the Northern Territory Government and Council working together.”
“It is important to support our residents in the Region and develop a sustainable future for town camps,” she said.
The million dollar upgrades have brought each dwelling back to original state to ensure each property lasts for many years to come.
New playground equipment that was also part of the project has already had a positive impact in the Town Camp with lots of use by the Camp’s younger residents.
Mayor MacFarlane highlighted the importance stating “Playgrounds promote healthy and pro-active sport and recreation options that are crucial to the physical, emotional, social and cognitive development of children and provide spaces where families can meet and socialise.”
All physical works in the project were carried out by local contractors in accordance with Council’s commitment to support the economic development of the Region.
For further information, please contact Roper Gulf Regional Council on
Telephone: (08) 8972 9000 or Email: info@ropergulf.nt.gov.au
New playground equipment has provided hours of fun for the Camp’s smallest residents.
Ngukurr’s future football stars enjoying a bright future under the new oval lights.
The community of Ngukurr has benefited from an oval lighting upgrade, thanks to a collaboration between Roper Gulf Regional Council and the Northern Territory Government Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture.
The new lights have made a bright and positive impact on the community, as part of the Territory Government’s commitment to remote sporting infrastructure.
Roper Gulf Mayor, Judy MacFarlane, says it is a fantastic investment in Ngukurr that will not only benefit the sporting teams in the region, but a wide range of community and civic events.
“Community commitments and our sometimes harsh weather means that the best time for communities to enjoy events and competition is in the evenings. Roper Gulf’s great tropical weather gives residents only a limited time after work to enjoy recreation. Having proper oval lighting means our local teams can continue to train safely at night, which we hope will encourage more people to take part in sport and recreation activities,” she said.
“As a Council we want to encourage a strong sports culture because we know it can have a multitude of physical health and social benefits within our remote communities. It is also an opportunity to grow and develop some of the great potential athletes who live in remote communities.”
In December an official “Lights On” celebration was held in Ngukurr; the evening was accompanied by music, dancing and Ngukurr’s favourite sport, AFL.
The lights were officially switched on in by the Member for Arnhem, the Honourable Selena Uibo.
Phillip Luck, Chief Executive Officer of Roper Gulf Regional Council, joined in the celebrations by cooking up dinner for the entire community.
With the new lights on, the Ngukurr Bulldogs and the Catholic Care NO MORE team, linked arms to show support against family violence before a friendly game of AFL. The fast paced game saw the experienced Ngukurr Bulldogs kick their way to victory.
Mayor MacFarlane says the oval lights are a sound investment which will also deliver economic benefits to the communities and wider region.
“Good lighting means we can look at new opportunities to host community functions on the oval and further develop existing events such as the Yugul Mangi Festival,” she said.
“On behalf of Council and the Roper Gulf Region, I would like to thank the Northern Territory Government Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture for supporting these important local projects.”
For further information, please contact Roper Gulf Regional Council on
Telephone: (08) 8972 9000 or Email: info@ropergulf.nt.gov.au
The Honourable Selena Uibo with All Regions Electrical owners Geoff and Louisa Anderson, accompanied by Councillor Eric Roberts and Mayor Judy MacFarlane.Ngukurr Bulldogs kicking their way to victory over the Catholic Care NO MORE AFL Team.
