Rent pause for flooded Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory

The Northern Territory government will freeze rental payments for public housing tenants affected by historic floods across the Big Rivers region. Monsoonal rainfall has inundated remote Aboriginal communities over the past two weeks, with Dorisvale Crossing reaching 23.93 metres by 1.30pm and the Katherine River peaking at 19.2 metres, its highest level since 1998.

The department of housing confirmed an emergency rent pause on Friday and said flood-affected public housing tenants do not need to apply. 'The rent pause will be applied automatically for eligible public housing tenants,' a department spokesperson said, adding that officials continue to survey and assess conditions for entry to communities and to scope properties for safety.

Leeanne Caton, chief executive of Aboriginal Housing NT, called the pause a 'show of good will' while people return to safe homes and clean them out.

Australia, Northern Territory

northern territory, big rivers, public housing, rent pause, floods, monsoonal rainfall, katherine river, dorisvale crossing, aboriginal communities, aboriginal housing