Move on to return residents

AS the cyclone moves south, police and emergency services are now turning their attention towards returning people to their homes.

People from Groote Eylandt and possibly Numbulwar could expect to begin returning home from today as police head to evacuated towns to assess the state of essential services such as roads, potable water and power.

Regional Controller Commander Travis Wurst said the process to return people to their home was dependent upon the emergency services assessment.

“The return of people to community is very much dependent on upon our survey and those survey as I’ve said, have commenced and we will commence relocating people hopefully as early as tomorrow to Groote Eylandt and Numbulwar,” Cmdr Wurst said.

“We are going to be flying people into Numbulwar to do the assessment and to check the roads.

“It is our intention to have power back in Numbulwar as quickly as possible depending on any damage for two reasons – one, for the Numbulwar community, and two, to re-establish communication links with Groote Eylandt which is currently down.”

Telecommunication services to Groote Eylandt were reestablished about 3.30am.

The extent of damage to Borroloola is not known but people were positioned ready to visit the township when safe.

“We have some assets prepositioned that will get into that location as quickly as possible and it is our intent that when all those locations are determined safe, to return people as quickly as we can,” Cmdr Wurst said.

People are being asked not to return home themselves unless they have been given the all clear by police, as roads may be in poor condition.

Cmdr Wurst said those staying at emergency shelters would be kept informed as to what was happening.