MARTU FAMILIES RELOCATED TO MIA MIA AS TC ZELIA DISRUPTS FUNERAL PLANS

BY TANGIORA HINAKI

Martu families in Newman gathered at Sorry Camp to prepare for a funeral, but Tropical Cyclone Zelia forced them to put those plans on hold. With concerns about overcrowding in homes, families asked the Department of Communities for a large shed or an evacuation hub to stay safe during the cyclone.

The Department of Communities responded, housing twenty-two adults and eleven children at Mia Mia accommodation in Newman. A family member told Ngaarda Media the department "really listened and cared the whole time."

This week, Ngaarda Media covered the need for a homestay in Newman to support families travelling from remote communities for healthcare. A family member said if a homestay existed, it would have provided shelter not just during the cyclone but also in times of heavy rain. "Sorry, Camp will keep happening, and these issues will keep arising."

The call for better accommodation options continues as families deal with disruptions from extreme weather and the ongoing need for safe spaces during sorry business and medical travel.