Commonwealth-owned company Outback Stores has moved quickly to support the repatriation of the Daly River community and the reopening of Nauiyu community store following one of the most significant flood events the region has experienced.

The Daly River community was evacuated on 7 March after the river rose rapidly following severe flooding across the Katherine region. The community experienced record flood levels, with homes, community infrastructure and businesses inundated by floodwaters, including the Nauiyu community store.

For the first time since the evacuation, the doors of the Nauiyu store reopened on 27 May, marking a significant milestone in the community’s recovery and return to country.

Following assessments by the Northern Territory Government, Outback Stores was granted access to the community in mid-April to commence planning and refurbishment works. Working alongside key contractors and business partners, Outback Stores fast-tracked an extensive restoration program to ensure the store could reopen in preparation for the repatriation of residents returning to community on 29 May.

Outback Stores Chief Executive Officer Michael Borg said the project was a remarkable achievement delivered under such challenging conditions.

“It has been an extraordinary effort by everyone involved, to deliver this outcome in such a short period of time,” he said.

“We would particularly like to thank Tom Gauden and the team at Across Country Construction, who completed what would normally be an eight-week building program in just 30 days.”

Mr Borg met with Mark Casey, Chairperson of the Nauiyu Nambiyu Aboriginal Corporation, during a visit to Daly River on Wednesday. Mr Casey said he “couldn’t believe the work that had been completed so quickly” and thanked everyone involved. He also thanked Outback Stores for their support through the challenging period.

Several community members had the opportunity to see their newly refurbished store for the first time since March, with many expressing their excitement and appreciation as the doors reopened.

Outback Stores now looks forward to welcoming local staff back into the store and once again providing services to customers as residents return home to community.

Outback Stores is a not-for-profit, Commonwealth-owned company that manages 60 remote community stores across Australia, working to improve food security and health outcomes in remote Indigenous communities.