Mr KURRUPUWU - 2015-03-24
Can you please update the Assembly with the latest on Cyclone Nathan and the impact on the north Arnhem coast?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for his question. We remain in close communication in regard to the cyclone. Two tropical cyclones have come towards the Northern Territory in the last two months. I anticipated the first question from Labor to be about the cyclone and community safety. Instead, once again, they are muckraking and not talking about the proper side of politics.
We are talking about Tropical Cyclone Nathan and its impact, especially in the Arafura electorate. No injuries have been reported as a result of the cyclone and local authorities will be able to assess any damage today. Tropical Cyclone Nathan was downgraded to a Category 1 this morning. It is now over land in the northwest Arnhem district and is expected to weaken to below tropical cyclone strength in the next few hours.
The remnant tropical low will then track towards the west during today and tomorrow although there still remains a chance it will move close to, or over, the Van Diemen Gulf before entering the Timor Sea overnight on Wednesday. The low is not expected to pose a risk of producing gales over locations west of Gunbalanya, also known as Oenpelli. A cyclone warning is in place from Goulburn Island to Maningrida and inland to Gunbalanya. There is no cyclone watch in place for any areas. A flood watch is current for the north coastal rivers.
I thank the member for Arafura very much for this question. I know he has a deep level of concern, especially for those at Warruwi. About 420 people were again evacuated from Goulburn Island to the Foskey Pavilion in Darwin. It was very difficult for those community members to be evacuated for the second time. The member for Arafura has deep concerns for their wellbeing and safe return back to their community, and that the community is intact when they return.
I thank the volunteers, police, NTES and everybody involved in the immediate emergency response to Tropical Cyclone Nathan. I also thank those involved in the recovery phase of ex-Tropical Cyclone Lam. I thank everyone who prepared for Cyclone Nathan as it crossed through Nhulunbuy, Elcho Island and all of the other areas around Milingimbi, Ramingining and the homelands. I am very thankful that people are safe and the destruction of infrastructure has been kept at a low level. I am happy to update the House further if anything changes.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for his question. We remain in close communication in regard to the cyclone. Two tropical cyclones have come towards the Northern Territory in the last two months. I anticipated the first question from Labor to be about the cyclone and community safety. Instead, once again, they are muckraking and not talking about the proper side of politics.
We are talking about Tropical Cyclone Nathan and its impact, especially in the Arafura electorate. No injuries have been reported as a result of the cyclone and local authorities will be able to assess any damage today. Tropical Cyclone Nathan was downgraded to a Category 1 this morning. It is now over land in the northwest Arnhem district and is expected to weaken to below tropical cyclone strength in the next few hours.
The remnant tropical low will then track towards the west during today and tomorrow although there still remains a chance it will move close to, or over, the Van Diemen Gulf before entering the Timor Sea overnight on Wednesday. The low is not expected to pose a risk of producing gales over locations west of Gunbalanya, also known as Oenpelli. A cyclone warning is in place from Goulburn Island to Maningrida and inland to Gunbalanya. There is no cyclone watch in place for any areas. A flood watch is current for the north coastal rivers.
I thank the member for Arafura very much for this question. I know he has a deep level of concern, especially for those at Warruwi. About 420 people were again evacuated from Goulburn Island to the Foskey Pavilion in Darwin. It was very difficult for those community members to be evacuated for the second time. The member for Arafura has deep concerns for their wellbeing and safe return back to their community, and that the community is intact when they return.
I thank the volunteers, police, NTES and everybody involved in the immediate emergency response to Tropical Cyclone Nathan. I also thank those involved in the recovery phase of ex-Tropical Cyclone Lam. I thank everyone who prepared for Cyclone Nathan as it crossed through Nhulunbuy, Elcho Island and all of the other areas around Milingimbi, Ramingining and the homelands. I am very thankful that people are safe and the destruction of infrastructure has been kept at a low level. I am happy to update the House further if anything changes.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016