Vowles works up flood of criticism over tardy release of Rapid Creek report

THE NT Opposition says it is ‘‘ disgraceful’’ that cyclone season has arrived and yet the Government has still not released a long-awaited flood study on Rapid Creek.

Earlier this month, Environment Minister Peter Chandler said that the flood study report was expected to be finalised by the department in the coming weeks.

The release has been pushed back several times in the past. Shadow Government Accountability Minister Ken Vowles said that residents were being kept in the dark about options to address flood threats.

Mr Vowles made many of the same comments less than two weeks ago. ‘‘It’s disgraceful that we are now on the first cyclone watch of the season and inundated with heavy rains today yet we are waiting for the report,’’ Mr Vowles said.

‘‘Why is it taking so long to finalise a document which Terry Mills said was supposed to be released almost 12 months ago?’’

‘‘It is just not good enough that residents are being kept in the dark on options to address flood threats.’’