The Northern Territory Department of Education and Training has announced the closure of 12 Government schools following major flooding in the Katherine region.
All Government schools in Katherine will be closed today, while five remote schools across the Big Rivers and Top End regions have also issued closure notices to students.
Three schools – Katherine High School, MacFarlane Primary School and Casuarina Street Primary School – are being used as shelters to support the Katherine community during the flood crisis.
Meanwhile, Mataranka School has been established as a centre to support residents from the Jilkminggan community.
“The Department recognises the efforts of staff that have worked across the weekend to operate these sites,” the Department said in a statement.
The Department has also established pop-up schools in Darwin and Palmerston to continue the learning of young people from communities that have been evacuated.
“The safety of our staff, students and community remains our highest priority. Schools affected by flooding will undergo safety assessments as soon as conditions allow to clarify damage and prioritise rectification. Schools will re-open as quickly as possible to provide safe, supportive and predictable learning environments, supporting our community to bounce back.”
“The department sincerely thanks parents and the community for their ongoing support and patience.”
The schools affected by the closure are:
- All government schools in Katherine:
- Casuarina Street Primary School
- Clyde Fenton Primary School
- Katherine High School, including Katherine Flexible Learning Centre
- Katherine School of the AirÂ
- Katherine South Primary School
- Kintore Street School
- MacFarlane Primary School
- Remote schools across the Big Rivers and Top End regions:
- Jilkminggan SchoolÂ
- Mataranka SchoolÂ
- Nganmarriyanga SchoolÂ
- Woolianna SchoolÂ
- Wugularr School
The Department advised that families should directly contact Early Childhood Education and Care services and St Joseph’s Catholic College Katherine to receive updates on operating status.
The Northern Territory Government has also advised that all NT Government offices in Katherine will be closed until further notice to ensure the safety of staff and allow Government resources to focus on the ongoing emergency response and community support.
“Staff who are directly involved in the emergency response will continue in their roles. Employees from offices that are temporarily closed will be re-deployed to assist with response efforts where required,” SecureNT stated.
“The Northern Territory Government continues to work closely with emergency services and partner agencies to support affected communities and ensure critical services remain available.
“Residents are urged to stay informed and follow official advice as conditions continue to change.”
On Friday, the Government announced an Emergency Situation Declaration had been made for Katherine, Wugularr (Beswick) and Daly River.
The declaration has been made under the Emergency Management Act 2013 to ensure emergency services have the necessary powers to manage evacuations, restrict access to dangerous areas and coordinate recovery activities.
NT Health has relocated the Katherine Hospital Emergency Department to St John Ambulance headquarters as a precaution. Patients have been transferred to other NT hospitals in Darwin, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Gove, with a temporary mini emergency department operating in Katherine to support urgent care.
Northern Territory Emergency Services are urging residents across the region to remain alert and prepared as conditions continue to evolve. Residents should prepare emergency kits with at least three days of supplies, secure important items above potential flood levels and avoid unnecessary travel.
The community is encouraged to stay informed by monitoring SecureNT, the Bureau of Meteorology, ABC Local Radio, and checking road conditions at roadreport.nt.gov.au.
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