Roper Gulf Regional Council has furthered its commitment to the Katherine community by providing its 2 Crawford Street site as an emergency shelter during flood events.
With the wet season now upon Katherinites, the Council confirmed that the site – which was purchased this year and will be redeveloped into the Council’s operations hub – had been formally designated as an emergency location and vehicle compound in the new Flood Safe Katherine guide.
Director of Council and Community Services Sharon Hillen explained that the organisation had a large footprint in Katherine, and an obligation to assist the community in emergency situations.
“We have 87 staff in Katherine who are Katherine residents, and who are all willing to pitch in and assist in the time of an event,” she said.
“Council has been involved with the Katherine Emergency Committee (KEC) since its inception.
“Being outside the flood zone, the site is a strategic location for us as an organisation in preparing our remote communities that are flood and cyclone prone, but also for us to provide significant support to Government agencies, Katherine Town Council and residents of Katherine when the town does flood.
“The yard at 2 Crawford Street has historically been the laydown area for people’s domestic vehicles, and agency vehicles and plant, and we expect that we will be able to provide that same level of support to the community of Katherine.”
In addition, the organisation’s Technical Services and Contracts Workshop, located at 63 Chardon Street, will be used as an overflow emergency location if the Katherine Town Council pound – the primary animal shelter listed in the Flood Safe Katherine guide – is overwhelmed by pets.
The guide includes information on flood warnings and what to do in the event of an emergency, and KEC Acting Chair Superintendent Lauren Hill said it was imperative that Katherinites were familiar with its contents.
“Any area across Katherine that has general public access will have these flood brochures available,” she said.
“My mantra for this is to plan, prepare and survive, so know your flood plan, get your emergency kit together and be prepared to evacuate yourself, or ensure you and your family are safe.
“Extreme thanks to Roper Gulf Regional Council for making available the old Landmark site for the residents of Katherine.
“It’s really important that people who need to remove and secure their assets from their home have a place that they can safely secure those assets.”
The Flood Safe Katherine guide is available at several locations in the town, including Roper Gulf Regional Council headquarters at 29 Crawford Street, the Katherine Civic Centre and the Katherine Visitor Information Centre.
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For further information, please contact the Communications Coordinator on 0419 891 666 or at roper.governance@ropergulf.nt.gov.au.