1 00:00:00,520 --> 00:00:02,560 Speaker 1: Speaking of the Northern Territory Police. 2 00:00:02,560 --> 00:00:04,240 Speaker 2: We are going to head across right now and find 3 00:00:04,280 --> 00:00:08,039 Speaker 2: out what the situation is with the flooding. And joining 4 00:00:08,039 --> 00:00:11,119 Speaker 2: me on the line right now is the Regional Controller 5 00:00:11,280 --> 00:00:14,840 Speaker 2: Commander Danny Bacon. Good morning to you, Danny. 6 00:00:14,880 --> 00:00:16,600 Speaker 3: Good morning, Kay. Apologies for being late. 7 00:00:16,760 --> 00:00:19,040 Speaker 2: Oh well, good mate, you are not running late. You're 8 00:00:19,160 --> 00:00:22,480 Speaker 2: right on time, thank you and very busy this morning, 9 00:00:22,520 --> 00:00:26,040 Speaker 2: I know. Now talk us through the situation as it 10 00:00:26,079 --> 00:00:28,360 Speaker 2: stands with the communities which are flooded. 11 00:00:30,320 --> 00:00:34,440 Speaker 3: Yes the motion declaration has been made for the Calgingy, 12 00:00:34,560 --> 00:00:39,320 Speaker 3: darga argue Yarrow and Pigeonhole and Plumper communities yesterday in 13 00:00:39,360 --> 00:00:45,239 Speaker 3: regards to the flood event. In particular, Calcuing is recorded 14 00:00:46,280 --> 00:00:49,160 Speaker 3: a significant flow of the event which has gone over there. 15 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:54,120 Speaker 3: The high rating it peaked at sixteen point nine to 16 00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:57,360 Speaker 3: nine meters. It is receding but it's still maintaining at 17 00:00:57,360 --> 00:01:03,000 Speaker 3: a high Levelurrently, what we undertook yesterday from an emergency 18 00:01:03,040 --> 00:01:08,400 Speaker 3: management response perspective was the evacuated residents of Pigeonhole community 19 00:01:08,400 --> 00:01:12,759 Speaker 3: and darga Agua community into CALCORINGI. They were accommodated at 20 00:01:12,760 --> 00:01:16,880 Speaker 3: the school there and we are looking at evacuating those 21 00:01:16,920 --> 00:01:23,520 Speaker 3: residents to Darwin today. There was some vulnerable residents thirty 22 00:01:23,600 --> 00:01:28,680 Speaker 3: five in total evacuated yesterday from that community and they 23 00:01:29,600 --> 00:01:32,240 Speaker 3: seven of those came to Darwen at the Fosky Pavilion 24 00:01:32,240 --> 00:01:39,679 Speaker 3: Evacuation Center, and the other vulnerable evacuees went to medical 25 00:01:39,680 --> 00:01:41,440 Speaker 3: facilities or with family and friends. 26 00:01:41,640 --> 00:01:44,959 Speaker 2: Right, So, Commander, as it stands, I know it's been 27 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:47,319 Speaker 2: reported that it could be up to seven hundred people 28 00:01:47,440 --> 00:01:49,160 Speaker 2: evacuated to Darwin. 29 00:01:49,480 --> 00:01:51,560 Speaker 1: Is that is that a fair estimate? 30 00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:56,560 Speaker 3: Me? It is? It's so we've estimated between six to 31 00:01:56,600 --> 00:01:59,680 Speaker 3: seven hundred as indicator before, depending on the assessment by 32 00:01:59,680 --> 00:02:03,760 Speaker 3: the fare and medical functional groups. Some individuals may go 33 00:02:03,800 --> 00:02:07,680 Speaker 3: to medical facilities, some may have alternative accommodation with family 34 00:02:07,760 --> 00:02:11,600 Speaker 3: and friends. But up to seven hundred is what we're 35 00:02:12,040 --> 00:02:14,120 Speaker 3: catering for within Darwin. 36 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:18,239 Speaker 2: Now, did we end up having to utilize the ADF 37 00:02:18,520 --> 00:02:20,959 Speaker 2: plane I know, or the ADF aircraft? I know that 38 00:02:21,880 --> 00:02:25,920 Speaker 2: one of the federal senators had said yesterday publicly that 39 00:02:25,960 --> 00:02:29,239 Speaker 2: he was happy to require or to provide that assistance 40 00:02:29,280 --> 00:02:29,919 Speaker 2: if required. 41 00:02:31,160 --> 00:02:34,240 Speaker 3: Certainly we've made that request under the emergency management provisions. 42 00:02:34,840 --> 00:02:37,040 Speaker 3: Defense are assessing that and we are hoping to be 43 00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:42,400 Speaker 3: in a position to confirm that there'll be in a 44 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:45,160 Speaker 3: position to assist us, but that process is still underway 45 00:02:45,200 --> 00:02:48,360 Speaker 3: at the moment, but certainly we're looking to The request 46 00:02:48,639 --> 00:02:52,519 Speaker 3: was for a fixing asset to land at Calcory and 47 00:02:52,560 --> 00:03:00,480 Speaker 3: to assist us with evacuations. Currently we're utilizing commercial coppers 48 00:03:00,520 --> 00:03:04,600 Speaker 3: and commercial fixed wings to facilitate those evacuations to Catherine 49 00:03:04,840 --> 00:03:08,080 Speaker 3: and bussing transport up. If there is an ability for 50 00:03:08,200 --> 00:03:12,480 Speaker 3: defense to assist, then subject to what their capabilities are, 51 00:03:12,520 --> 00:03:15,000 Speaker 3: we may be able to evacuate them directly to Darwen. 52 00:03:15,080 --> 00:03:18,000 Speaker 2: Commander, how long are we expecting some of those people 53 00:03:18,080 --> 00:03:22,000 Speaker 2: to stay in Catherine before being transported to Darwin and 54 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:23,280 Speaker 2: will they all come to Darwin? 55 00:03:25,240 --> 00:03:28,120 Speaker 3: A majority will come to Dallas, has said, with a 56 00:03:28,160 --> 00:03:30,640 Speaker 3: few that may remain with family and friends, but majority 57 00:03:30,639 --> 00:03:34,520 Speaker 3: would be expected to attend or the evacuation center. The 58 00:03:34,639 --> 00:03:37,720 Speaker 3: length of that period of time is unknown, Codie. A 59 00:03:37,720 --> 00:03:41,960 Speaker 3: lot of that will depend on the surveying assessment team 60 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:45,520 Speaker 3: that goes and visits these communities, particularly when the flood 61 00:03:45,560 --> 00:03:50,840 Speaker 3: levels retreat. There's been some significant inundation across Calgaring, Daga 62 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:55,960 Speaker 3: Argue and pigeonole of government infrastructure, residential dwellings, so they'll 63 00:03:56,000 --> 00:03:57,840 Speaker 3: all need to be assessed to make sure that it's 64 00:03:57,880 --> 00:04:00,920 Speaker 3: appropriate for resons to return for their own health and 65 00:04:00,920 --> 00:04:03,520 Speaker 3: safety and well being. And that'sti also make sure in 66 00:04:03,560 --> 00:04:07,880 Speaker 3: regards to sewerage, water, electricity and the like. 67 00:04:08,880 --> 00:04:10,760 Speaker 1: Commander, do we have any idea really? 68 00:04:10,880 --> 00:04:13,800 Speaker 2: I guess we don't while those well, those flood levels 69 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:15,640 Speaker 2: are still up. But do we have any idea how 70 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:17,520 Speaker 2: long these evacuees are then going to. 71 00:04:17,520 --> 00:04:18,279 Speaker 1: Be in Darwin? 72 00:04:19,320 --> 00:04:23,719 Speaker 2: I know it's still very early early days, but last 73 00:04:23,720 --> 00:04:28,080 Speaker 2: time we did see evacuees in Darwen, unfortunately we wound 74 00:04:28,160 --> 00:04:31,039 Speaker 2: up in a situation where a lot stayed sort of 75 00:04:31,480 --> 00:04:34,080 Speaker 2: a bit longer and in some cases there was anti 76 00:04:34,080 --> 00:04:35,680 Speaker 2: social behavior associated. 77 00:04:36,920 --> 00:04:40,839 Speaker 3: I'm certainly aware of that through through any sort of 78 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:43,560 Speaker 3: giving event like this code is, you're aware there's a 79 00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:47,520 Speaker 3: number of planning and levels of plant associated with that. 80 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:51,120 Speaker 3: That includes when you get a large co orter vacuees 81 00:04:51,160 --> 00:04:53,359 Speaker 3: in the regional center. And so we'll be looking at 82 00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:57,160 Speaker 3: increasing our particularly our social order patrols as well to 83 00:04:57,440 --> 00:05:01,719 Speaker 3: alleviate some of those concerns that to certainly also ensure the 84 00:05:01,720 --> 00:05:04,080 Speaker 3: safety of those evacuees as well as always to alleviate 85 00:05:04,120 --> 00:05:06,839 Speaker 3: some of the community concerns as well. As I said, 86 00:05:06,839 --> 00:05:10,160 Speaker 3: the duration is an unknown factor until we have an 87 00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:13,240 Speaker 3: ability to assess those communities that have been inundated. 88 00:05:13,640 --> 00:05:16,719 Speaker 2: Now, can you talk me through with some of these 89 00:05:17,160 --> 00:05:20,120 Speaker 2: some of these locations, were there any rescues? I mean, 90 00:05:20,560 --> 00:05:23,400 Speaker 2: we had heard that in some cases people were waiting 91 00:05:23,440 --> 00:05:24,200 Speaker 2: on their roofs. 92 00:05:24,279 --> 00:05:25,040 Speaker 1: Was that the case? 93 00:05:26,440 --> 00:05:29,040 Speaker 3: There were people that sought refuge on the roofs of 94 00:05:29,080 --> 00:05:35,640 Speaker 3: their dwellings. The evacuations, both from Pigeonhole and darga Argue 95 00:05:35,960 --> 00:05:40,560 Speaker 3: occurred with helicopters. The nature of this particular flood event 96 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:45,880 Speaker 3: was very very quickly as the river rose. Now, whilst 97 00:05:45,960 --> 00:05:48,640 Speaker 3: we learned from flood events, and these are well tried 98 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:52,760 Speaker 3: tested plans, sometimes well, each flood event is very very different. 99 00:05:53,880 --> 00:05:57,800 Speaker 3: The rainfall for this particular flood event didn't fall in 100 00:05:57,880 --> 00:06:03,240 Speaker 3: where we have identified recorders, so a lot of the 101 00:06:03,480 --> 00:06:07,440 Speaker 3: water came up fairly quickly, and residents did seek refuge 102 00:06:07,640 --> 00:06:09,719 Speaker 3: on some of the dwelling roofs. 103 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:13,480 Speaker 2: Commander, we had her that there was a child potentially 104 00:06:13,520 --> 00:06:14,640 Speaker 2: injured by a crocodile. 105 00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:15,400 Speaker 1: Is that the case? 106 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:20,680 Speaker 3: Yes, It was reported yesterday through Saint John's that a 107 00:06:20,760 --> 00:06:25,600 Speaker 3: resident of darga Argue was was bitten by a crocodile. 108 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:29,719 Speaker 3: The crocodile hasn't been seen, and he certainly has an injury. 109 00:06:29,720 --> 00:06:32,239 Speaker 3: It's consistent with the crocodile bite. And what we remind 110 00:06:32,279 --> 00:06:34,480 Speaker 3: everybody in any sort of flooded waters, particularly in the 111 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:37,240 Speaker 3: northern region top end, is you don't know what's in 112 00:06:37,279 --> 00:06:39,560 Speaker 3: the water. So we're just asking we'll make sure people 113 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:44,159 Speaker 3: don't go into floodwaters because there may be crocodiles anyway. 114 00:06:45,040 --> 00:06:47,000 Speaker 1: Was he all right, that young fellow. 115 00:06:47,839 --> 00:06:51,040 Speaker 3: Yes he was. He was treated in Calquering a health clinic. 116 00:06:52,120 --> 00:06:58,080 Speaker 3: Wasn't a significant injury, but yes he is. He's fine 117 00:06:58,080 --> 00:06:58,760 Speaker 3: in that context. 118 00:06:58,880 --> 00:07:01,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, good to hear. Now what is in place? 119 00:07:02,200 --> 00:07:04,840 Speaker 2: I guess when it comes to food drops and that 120 00:07:04,920 --> 00:07:06,480 Speaker 2: kind of thing. Are you going to need to with 121 00:07:06,520 --> 00:07:09,400 Speaker 2: any of the other communities that aren't being evacuated. Is 122 00:07:09,400 --> 00:07:11,320 Speaker 2: there going to need to be food drops or anything 123 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:11,640 Speaker 2: like that? 124 00:07:13,120 --> 00:07:15,040 Speaker 3: Not at this stage. But as I said, we're still 125 00:07:15,040 --> 00:07:18,239 Speaker 3: going through a response phase for this particular flooding event. 126 00:07:18,360 --> 00:07:23,040 Speaker 3: So our I suppose, forecasting is to look at what's downstream, 127 00:07:23,600 --> 00:07:26,080 Speaker 3: particularly where the water goes from the Victorian and other 128 00:07:26,320 --> 00:07:30,480 Speaker 3: feeder rivers, so that's monitoring obviously the daily as well, 129 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:32,800 Speaker 3: but it's also following the weather event as it moves 130 00:07:32,840 --> 00:07:36,960 Speaker 3: across the Barkley. So all our local emerentship committees have 131 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:39,360 Speaker 3: been activated and been activated for some time, so the 132 00:07:39,520 --> 00:07:42,720 Speaker 3: regular meeting and making sure that it's like food security, 133 00:07:43,240 --> 00:07:47,800 Speaker 3: fuel security is paramount and when there's a need, hopefully 134 00:07:48,760 --> 00:07:53,560 Speaker 3: there's some we could look at, either pre positioning, but 135 00:07:53,680 --> 00:07:57,640 Speaker 3: certainly making sure that communities are sustainable if they will 136 00:07:57,640 --> 00:08:00,360 Speaker 3: be isolated for a period of time, which is common 137 00:08:00,360 --> 00:08:01,800 Speaker 3: in the Northern Territory this time. 138 00:08:01,680 --> 00:08:03,000 Speaker 1: Of year anyway, Yeah, it is. 139 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:04,640 Speaker 2: It does feel as though we sort of go through 140 00:08:04,680 --> 00:08:08,520 Speaker 2: this around this time each and every year. Commander can 141 00:08:08,560 --> 00:08:10,520 Speaker 2: I just ask as well, for those that are being 142 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:14,320 Speaker 2: taken to Fosky Pavilion, is there what kind of provisions 143 00:08:14,320 --> 00:08:15,480 Speaker 2: are in place there for them? 144 00:08:17,280 --> 00:08:20,120 Speaker 3: Certainly the welfare and the health and well being is 145 00:08:20,160 --> 00:08:24,560 Speaker 3: being looked after by CHURCHI families and the housing. We 146 00:08:24,640 --> 00:08:29,560 Speaker 3: have a dedicated welfare team support team to manage evacuees. 147 00:08:29,920 --> 00:08:35,720 Speaker 3: So certainly food and obviously bedding, but also educational facilities 148 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:40,000 Speaker 3: for kids as well, and just because obviously I'm being 149 00:08:40,040 --> 00:08:45,920 Speaker 3: inside a facility maybe quite tedious. So it's also activity 150 00:08:46,040 --> 00:08:48,680 Speaker 3: so that they remain active. 151 00:08:48,920 --> 00:08:52,840 Speaker 2: And yeah, I guess that is potentially going to be 152 00:08:52,880 --> 00:08:55,640 Speaker 2: a concern as well, depending on how long people are 153 00:08:55,679 --> 00:09:00,240 Speaker 2: here that they know that they do get bored. And yeah, 154 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:03,560 Speaker 2: we've got to make sure that there's not a situation 155 00:09:03,640 --> 00:09:06,400 Speaker 2: where you know, anybody's engaged in the wrong kind of behavior. 156 00:09:07,120 --> 00:09:10,160 Speaker 3: Yeah, so as I have that my face in the 157 00:09:10,160 --> 00:09:14,000 Speaker 3: functional groups that manage the evacuation centers. So these are 158 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:18,920 Speaker 3: these are well and tested plans and certainly well versed 159 00:09:18,920 --> 00:09:22,920 Speaker 3: in running evacuation centers, both from an emergency management perspective 160 00:09:23,120 --> 00:09:26,200 Speaker 3: for flooding events, but also lessons learned in regards to 161 00:09:26,640 --> 00:09:30,440 Speaker 3: COVID as well. So there's a range of measures that 162 00:09:30,600 --> 00:09:32,679 Speaker 3: I'm sure that the Wealth and Educational teams will be 163 00:09:32,760 --> 00:09:36,480 Speaker 3: taking consideration to make sure that we are supporting these 164 00:09:36,520 --> 00:09:41,240 Speaker 3: people who have been unfortunately dislodged from their residences and 165 00:09:41,360 --> 00:09:44,280 Speaker 3: quite often they would obviously have some significant losses as well, 166 00:09:44,360 --> 00:09:48,000 Speaker 3: so we'll be making sure that they're well engaged. 167 00:09:48,400 --> 00:09:51,120 Speaker 2: Commander, before I let you go with cal Karnji, I 168 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:55,040 Speaker 2: understand that their flood levels or their flood event. It's 169 00:09:55,120 --> 00:09:56,800 Speaker 2: similar to what it was all the way back in 170 00:09:56,800 --> 00:09:58,960 Speaker 2: two thousand and one, so it's obviously quite bad. 171 00:09:59,080 --> 00:10:04,480 Speaker 3: Is that it's excited the two thousand and one foot event, 172 00:10:04,520 --> 00:10:07,719 Speaker 3: but I don't believe it the early one of the 173 00:10:07,800 --> 00:10:11,040 Speaker 3: nineteen fifties, and apologies that I don't have a dated hand, 174 00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:14,480 Speaker 3: but certainly at sixteen point nine to nine meters it 175 00:10:14,559 --> 00:10:19,360 Speaker 3: was a significant event. It's affected significant infrastructure throughout the 176 00:10:19,400 --> 00:10:23,120 Speaker 3: calcuingy darga argueing picture whole communities and as I said, 177 00:10:23,120 --> 00:10:26,360 Speaker 3: it will take some time to assess the severity of 178 00:10:26,360 --> 00:10:28,760 Speaker 3: that damage to make sure it is safe for the 179 00:10:28,800 --> 00:10:31,360 Speaker 3: residents and community to return. 180 00:10:31,880 --> 00:10:35,560 Speaker 2: Well, Commander Danny Bacon, we always appreciate your time. I 181 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:37,560 Speaker 2: know that it's a very busy time at the moment 182 00:10:37,920 --> 00:10:41,360 Speaker 2: for the Northern Territory Police. You are indeed the regional controller. 183 00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:43,280 Speaker 2: Thank you so very much for having a chat with 184 00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:44,000 Speaker 2: us this morning. 185 00:10:44,760 --> 00:10:46,680 Speaker 3: Anytime, Katie, thanks very much, thank you.