Published 4 April 2023
A new water safety program is helping the 700 evacuees from Daguragu, Kalkarindji, Pigeon Hole and Palumpa stay cool and enjoy the water at the Howard Springs Centre for National Resilience in the Northern Territory.
The program, which sees the pool opened seven days a week and staffed by qualified lifeguards, welcomed 150 people through on its first day of operation.
Operated by the Royal Life Saving Society – Northern Territory, the pool program provides some relief for the evacuees as they wait for the floodwater to recede so they can return to their homes and begin the process of rebuilding their communities.
Royal Life Saving Society – Northern Territory Executive Director Floss Roberts said the 25m, six-lane pool was proving very popular, especially the after-school sessions.
“The children were really excited that the pool was open. We thought we’d do a soft launch on the first Sunday and 150 people showed up, which was wonderful,” Ms Roberts said.
“We all want the community to return home with more swimming and water safety skills, more lifesaving skills in particular. So that’s our focus now.
“None of the affected communities have pools, so this is an opportunity to run these programs, do some swimming assessments and make it fun and engaging.
“Their water access at home is the Victoria River and the creeks that flow from it, so we are offering programs that help in that environment: rope rescue, wearing a life jacket and recognising people in difficulty in a fast-flowing creek.
“They are so far away from home, which is difficult for the whole community. The Government Emergency Services Department is doing a great job working with community leaders and setting up access to education, sport, and other activities to keep them active, engaged and having fun.”
The pool is open Monday to Friday from 3 – 6pm and staffed during the day on weekends.
“We are very proud to be involved in the relief effort, and we hope that we’re making it a little easier for all three communities, who are missing home. There’s a lot of rebuilding to be done, and critical infrastructure to be reinstated over the weeks ahead,” Ms Roberts said.
