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Update 29: Katherine region

Katherine and Wugularr (Beswick) transition to recovery phase

12pm - 19 March 2026

As of 5pm, 16 March 2026, Katherine and Wugularr (Beswick) officially transitioned into the ‘Recovery’ phase following the floods.

In Katherine the Evacuation Centre at Katherine High School has closed, Katherine District Hospital is operational, schools have reopened, only a handful of properties remain without power, and all essential services are available to support a routine daily lifestyle.

In Wugularr, residents have access to essential services through temporary arrangements at the Evacuation Centre in Wugularr School and the store is operating as normal.

Both communities are transitioning back to normal operations following the floods.

“This is great news for residents in Katherine and Beswick, and I really need to thank the community for its resilience. Their patience while in the shelters or while their homes were being reconnected – their community spirit in lending a hand and their support of the first responders has all played a big part in being able to get to this point so quickly after a major flood,” said Incident Controller Shaun Gill.

The Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet has now assumed leadership of recovery efforts. The Department of Children and Families will continue to lead Disaster Recovery Funding Assistance throughout the recovery.

Other communities

The following communities remain in the response phase:

  • Daly River
  • Palumpa
  • Jilkminggan.

Residents from these areas continue to be supported in evacuation centres in Darwin and Mataranka.

Boil water alerts

A boil alert is in place for:

  • Jilkminggan
  • Palumpa
  • Daly River.

Boil water alerts have been lifted for Katherine, Tindal, Wugularr (Beswick) and Binjari.

Volunteers needed – step up if you can

Northern Territory Emergency Services is calling on the Katherine community to offer assistance as volunteers to help with clean-up efforts.

If you are able and willing to be a spontaneous volunteer and support the community, come along to 14 Crawford St Katherine East at 8am on Tuesday 17 March. Volunteers receive a briefing, assigned tasks, and provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Please wear long pants and enclosed shoes.

Volunteers providing assistance are greatly appreciated, but their safety is always the priority. Please avoid high risk activities. If you’re wondering how to get involved in the coming days, keep an eye on this SecureNT website for updates on where help is needed and how to register.

Schools

Following safety assessments and ongoing recovery efforts, all government schools in Katherine reopened on Monday 16 March 2026.

Katherine High School will operate in hybrid mode, serving as both high school and evacuation centre.

The following remote schools will remain closed for the week beginning Monday 16 March:

  • Nganmarriyanga School
  • Woolianna School
  • Wugularr School.

Waste management

From Friday, 20 March, Katherine Town Council’s Waste Management Facility will reopen to the public for limited items.

Flood-affected waste will continue to be accepted free of charge. Standard fees and charges will apply to all other items.

The temporary waste management facility at the Katherine Weigh Bridge will close to public access at the close of business on Thursday and will remain open only to authorised contractors.

Verge collections will continue only for flood-damaged items.

To help keep the clean-up moving efficiently and ensure support is focused where it’s needed most:

  • Only place flood-damaged items on the verge.
  • Use your wheelie bin for general household and food waste.
  • The temporary facility is for authorised contractors only.
  • The Waste Management Facility is open to the public (fees apply to non-flood waste).

All arrangements remain weather-dependent and may change as conditions improve.

Thank you for your understanding and for helping keep the clean-up efficient for the whole community.

If you lost your bin in the flood and require a new one, please contact Council on 08 8972 5500 or email records@ktc.nt.gov.au. Alternatively, you can use Snap Send Solve service – Incident Type Lost your Wheelie Bin - Flood 2026.

Financial assistance

Disaster assistance is available for eligible residents within the Katherine Town Council area and the Roper Gulf Local Government Area (Beswick and Jilkminggan only) as both areas recover from recent Katherine River floods..

The Australian and Northern Territory governments are jointly providing support under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to assist residents affected by flooding in Katherine.

Under joint DRFA, the Welfare Group is delivering Immediate Relief Payments, Temporary Accommodation reimbursement and re-establishment grants.

In addition, the Australian Government is delivering Australian Government Disaster Relief Payments via the Services Australia website. These payments are available from 2pm Wednesday 18 March.

  • Immediate relief payments continue to be processed for all residents of Katherine Town Council area and residents of Jilkminggan and Wugularr/Beswick affected by floods to:

    • assist residents experiencing personal hardship as a result of the flooding
    • help with the immediate impacts of flooding.

    This includes payments of $611 per adult and $309 per child, capped at $1,537 per family, with payments made via a pre-paid debit card.

    For information about how to use your pre-paid card, see pre-paid card limitations PDF (204.0 KB).

    How and when to apply

    Katherine residents can apply for an Immediate Relief Payment:

    • online:  Apply for Immediate Relief Payment (you will need to attend the Welfare Recovery Centre to collect your pre-paid debit card)
    • in-person: at the GYRACC Welfare Recovery Centre

    To apply for the new Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payments:

    • online via the Services Australia website
    • in-person: Centrelink staff will be available at the GYRACC Welfare Recovery Centre to assist with these applications (NTG Welfare Group cannot process these payments).

    Where to apply

    The Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre
    LOT 3238 Stuart Hwy
    Katherine East

    What to bring

    Eligible residents must bring:

    • photo ID (e.g. drivers’ licence)
    • proof of residence (recent rental agreement, rates notice, utilities bill, letter from employer)
    • proof of family status (e.g. Medicare card or Centrelink).

    We thank the community for their patience during this time.

    For residents of Jilkminggan

    Families and community from Jilkmingganhavestarted receiving Immediate Relief Payments from the Mataranka Evacuation Centres.

    For residents of Wugularr/Beswick

    The Department of Children and Families will be doing outreach into the community of Beswick when it’s safe to do so. At this stage, this is planned for Monday 23 March where full Immediate Relief Payments will be made.

  • Applications are now open for Re-establishment assistance 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.

    For those residents who meet the income thresholds and who cannot claim through their insurance, they may be eligible for support to repair or replace essential household items, such as:

    • beds and bedding
    • furniture
    • refrigerators
    • washing machines
    • other whitegoods
    • basic household items.

    How to apply

    Affected residents can apply:

    • in person at the Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday
    • by completing the relevant application form and emailing to DCF.WelfareEMHPIP@nt.gov.au

    Applicants will need to provide evidence of flood damage (validated photos or video) as part of the application.

    You will also need to provide relevant proof of personal circumstances including:

    • income (e.g. payslips, Centrelink statements)
    • photo ID (e.g. licence or passport)
    • proof of address (e.g. rates notice, rental agreement, utility bill)
    • proof of family status (if applicable) (e.g. Medicare or Centrelink paperwork).

    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.

  • Applications are now open for eligible residents to claim 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 were unable to return home. This assistance is means tested.

    How to apply

    Affected residents can apply:

    • in person at the Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday
    • completing the relevant application form and emailing to DCF.WelfareEMHPIP@nt.gov.au

    Eligible residents must 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).

    Income limits apply

    Payments are means-tested, and income thresholds apply. Please see below for income thresholds.

    Personal hardship and distress means testGross 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

  • The DRFA also supports the NT Government and local authorities to undertake:

    • counter-disaster operations
    • debris removal
    • emergency works
    • restoration of essential public infrastructure.

Alcohol restrictions in Katherine

  • Liquor sale restrictions are currently in place in Katherine and Mataranka under section 257 of the Liquor Act due to the emergency declaration following the recent flooding.
  • The restrictions were implemented by Liquor Licensing at the request of the Local Emergency Management Committees, consistent with the Northern Regional Emergency Management Committee’s decision.
  • The Katherine Liquor Accord is acknowledged for proposing self-imposed service restrictions to help mitigate alcohol-related issues. This cooperation will be considered by the Local Emergency Management Committee when assessing the earliest opportunity for licensed premises to reopen safely.

From Monday 16 March 2026, temporary liquor restrictions will apply in the Katherine and Big Rivers region.

Takeaway (off-premise)

  • Limit of one item per person (carton of beer, bottle of wine, bottle of spirits, 10-pack or 6-pack), with BDR restricted button applied to each sale.
  • Proof of Katherine address required (driver’s licence or 18+ card with supporting documentation such as lease agreement, power bill, employer letter, bank statement or Centrelink card). Exemptions apply for clean-up crews and emergency personnel assisting with flood recovery.
  • Reduced trading hours: 2pm to 6pm Monday to Friday, 12pm to 6pm Saturday.
  • Licensees, managers or security staff must verify proof of address.

On-premise

  • One drink per person at a time.
  • No drink specials or jugs.
  • Proof of Katherine address required (with the same exemptions for clean-up crews and emergency personnel).
  • No takeaway alcohol from clubs.
  • No live entertainment.
  • Closing times: pubs by 6pm or earlier; clubs by 9pm or earlier.

This approach reflects an industry-led model for responsible service and community management, developed in consultation with local licensees and the Katherine Liquor Accord.

Northern Territory Police support the timely opportunity to trial industry-led solutions as the community moves into the recovery phase following the flooding.

If these arrangements prove ineffective, NT Police retain the ability to utilise suspension powers under section 258 of the Liquor Act as a safety net to respond quickly if required.

Road update

Many roads in the region have been severely damaged.

Please drive with caution and follow all instructions.

Do not drive on closed or flooded roads. Road conditions can change quickly.

For up to date advice, go to the Road Report NT website.

Power and Water

Major flooding has caused extensive disruption to Power and Water services in Katherine and several remote communities.

Restoration begins with large and critical infrastructure repaired first, followed by smaller infrastructure, then individual homes. This means the largest number of people are safely reconnected in the shortest time possible.

If your property has water damage, the service line to your home has come loose or the connection point where the service line joins your property is damaged, you must contact an NT-licensed electrician to check your wiring before Power and Water can reconnect your power.

They will lodge a Certificate of Compliance, which lets crews know your property is safe to reconnect.

You can find further information about service connections and the regulations around compliance PowerWater website.

Katherine District Hospital

Katherine Hospital has reopened.

Patients who were evacuated to Royal Darwin Hospital will be transferred back over the coming week.

Page last updated 19 March 2026

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