Darwin homeless shelter closes, residents sent to outback town

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 06:30 · Archive

Darwin's largest homeless shelter is closing, with over 120 residents being bussed 100km to alternative accommodation in a remote outback town.

The YiSSA short-stay accommodation centre in Darwin closed on Monday following a decision by the Northern Territory government. The shelter had housed up to 400 mainly Aboriginal residents, including domestic violence survivors and people from remote communities who required access to life-saving medical treatment such as kidney dialysis.

More than 120 residents who had not found alternative accommodation were bussed 100km south to demountables in the township of Batchelor. YiSSA resident Tilathia Gore, 38, said residents were being 'shipped out against our own will' and expressed concerns about the inadequate facilities and medical response times in the remote location. 'We've got kids, old ladies coming out with us, if anyone gets sick it's going to take forever for an ambulance to get out there,' Ms Gore said.

The NT government proceeded with the closure despite the federal government offering $3.5 million towards a shared-purchase arrangement to keep the centre open. Federal Minister for Aboriginal Australians Malarndirri McCarthy urged the NT government to extend the centre's life for at least six months beyond the wet season to allow time to develop a long-term plan for vulnerable families.

How it is being reported

• Homeless shelter shuts, residents sent to outback townA city's largest homeless shelter is closing, with many of its residents having to make a 100km bus journey to alternative accommodation in an outback town.Perth Now · 12 Oct, 06:09
• Homeless shelter shuts, residents sent to outback townA city's largest homeless shelter is closing, with many of its residents having to make a 100km bus journey to alternative accommodation in an outback town.The West Australian · 12 Oct, 06:09

In this story: Darwin · Batchelor · Northern Territory government · Malarndirri McCarthy · Tilathia Gore · YiSSA

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