Update 2: Flooding – Litchfield and Coomalie
7:30am Saturday 14 March 2026.
Financial assistance
Disaster assistance has been activated for eligible residents within the Litchfield and Coomalie Local Government Areas, following major flooding that has impacted areas around the Darwin River Dam.
The Australian and Northern Territory governments are jointly providing support under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to assist residents affected by flooding at the Darwin River Dam.
Residents whose homes have been directly impacted may be eligible for Category A, Personal Hardship and Distress Assistance (Immediate Relief Payments) and Re-establishment Measures.
Eligibility criteria and information on how to apply will be confirmed shortly. In the meantime, ensure you document any inundation (flooding) of your home and do not dispose of damaged items without recording evidence of damage.
Immediate relief payments
Eligible residents in Coomalie and Litchfield can access Immediate Relief Payments from 9am - 5pm Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 March from the Bushfires NT Headquarters, Corner Townend Road and Stuart Highway, Acacia Hills.
Eligibility criteria and how to apply for all other disaster recovery payments including Temporary Accommodation reimbursement and Re-establishment grants will be confirmed once household impact surveys are completed.
These surveys help determine the level of impact and ensure support reaches eligible households that need it most.
Only addresses identified through survey assessments will be eligible for Immediate Relief Payments. This could include:
- homes that were inundated (flooded)
- residents evacuated from their home
- residents relocated to alternate shelter
- residents who were prevented from accessing or leaving their homes due to flooding.
Temporary accommodation assistance
Eligible flood‑affected residents in the Litchfield and Coomalie Local Government Areas who were required to vacate their homes due to floods may receive up to $340 per adult and $172 per child, capped at $1,160 per family, to reimburse the cost of short‑term temporary accommodation while they are unable to return home. This assistance is means tested.
Income limits apply
Payments are means-tested, and income thresholds apply. Please see below for income thresholds.
| Personal hardship and distress means test | Gross income threshold |
|---|---|
| Single adult – no children | $65,189 |
| Single adult – with children | $84,189 |
| 2 Adults – no children (joint income) | $103,189 |
| 2 Adults – with children (joint income) | $122,190 |
Eligible residents will need to provide:
- a tax receipt for out-of-pocket accommodation expenses in the name of the applicant (including ABN and GST details)
- photo ID (such as drivers’ licence)
- proof of residence (recent rental agreement, rates notice, utilities bill, letter from employer)
- proof of annual income (payslips, tax statements or Centrelink statements).
Re-establishment assistance
Further assistance may also be available to replace essential household items, with eligible households able to receive up to $8,843.
This assistance is means tested and there are limits on claims.
This may include support to repair or replace essential household items, such as:
- beds and bedding
- furniture
- refrigerators
- washing machines
- other whitegoods
- basic household items.
Eligibility assessment and payment options will be finalised once damage assessments can be completed.
To ensure you have the appropriate evidence to support damage and eligibility assessments, you must document (photos and footage) any inundation (flooding) of your home. Do not dispose of damaged items without recording evidence of the damage.
Government recovery support
The DRFA also supports the NT Government and local authorities to undertake:
- counter-disaster operations
- debris removal
- emergency works
- restoration of essential public infrastructure.