Disaster resilience, management and preparedness in aboriginal communities in Darwin and Palmerston

This research explores the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Darwin when a cyclone, bushfire or severe weather event strikes and in its aftermath, and identifies determinants of vulnerability from the perspective of these communities. Initial consultations were carried out with Indigenous people living in each of the seven Town Communities in the greater Darwin Area: Bagot, One Mile Dam, Acacia, Knuckey’s Lagoon, Palmerston Indigenous Village, Kulaluk and Minmarama, as well as with small groups of Indigenous people living in Long Grass camps around Darwin.

Additionally, the report draws on a series of discussions with government departments and service providers, and translate these consultation findings into possible service delivery responses and a communications plan, supporting the further development of emergency management practices going forward.

Emerging out of these discussions, the research found that residents of the Town Communities and Long Grass were more prepared for adverse weather than anticipated. They were generally alert to means by which they may work together and with Northern Territory Emergency Services and Larrakia Nation to remain safe, and to manage the effects of bad weather. At the same time, these consultations also pointed to a number of gaps and potential actions which may be taken by government and non-government organisations to maintain and improve emergency management pactices in the future.