April 28, 2026 • 8 mins
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, we've all seen the devastating impact and the destruction
caused by the flooding at the Daily River and spoken
at length about the evacuation and the recovery of residency
in relation to the Naiyu community and those who live
and run businesses along Willianna Road. Well, joining me on
the line right now is Jess Lazarek from the Darwin
River bush Camp to tell us a little bit more
(00:20):
about how things are going. Good morning to you, Jess,
Hi Katie, thanks for having me, Thanks so much for
your time this morning. And I think I said Darwin
River at the beginning there instead of Daily River. I
do apologize. Okay, there is so much happening around the
place when it comes to the recovery. Eff it's following
(00:41):
on from devastating floods. How are things going for you
guys at the moment, Look.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
We're progressing slowly here. We've got a couple of obstacles
in front of us, the road being a major one,
so it's sort of it's hard for us to get
building materials in and out. And yeah, just that access
is really stopping us from progressing further to get help
in as well. But we are getting there slowly and
they have started works on that today, so that's a positive.
(01:10):
There is some action happening.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
Just tell me for you guys, what is the like.
Paint us a bit of a picture as to what
you sort of you know, you came back to after
the flooding, because I imagine that you had to be
you know, that you evacuated out and then you came back,
and I would imagine you really weren't sure what you
were going to be coming back to.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
No, not really. So my partner had done a couple
of trips temporary trips in to start the process, but
for myself here I didn't really know what to expect
and it was just a disaster zone. It was really sad.
The place is just unrecognizable, Like I'm talking about the
whole road itself and then our place as well. We've
(01:57):
made a fair bit of progress cleaning it up now,
but you know, buildings have been pretty hit pretty hard. Yeah,
so it wasn't very nice thing to come back to,
but we're getting there, making small having small winds.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Yeah. Well, and you touched on the fact that you
know the road, the access is a big part at
this point in time. Tell me you know, what sort
of work have you done so far in terms of
the restoration or you know, the cleaning up as a
result of the damage, and what you've still got to do,
I suppose.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
So we're calling it stage one completed. We've got all
the mud out of the buildings and we're just starting
to strip them now. Unfortunately, we've got to gut some
of them flaws, walls, feelings and all, so we're starting
that stripping process. We've done a little bit of yard
work with the Bobcat, cleaning up some sand and things,
(02:51):
and now we're working on the pool. We've got a
few projects on the go actually, so we are managing
to do little things without materials. But yeah, we really
need that access to progress.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
I love that can do attitude because I tell you
what I'm thinking to myself as you're saying, and how
are you doing that, Jess, When you can't get your materials,
When you can't get bloody access.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
I just I think there's just going to be something
to do for a year to come. There's always going
to be something. So yeah, there's just that much on
the go. You do find something to do, but it
would be really handy to progress further for this road access,
which they are working on. So that's the positive.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Yeah, we know that the dry season is of cause
peak tourist season, and usually by now the daily would
be inundated with keen anglers as well as the gray
Nomad's traveling up from south. Do you have any idea
when you might be able to open again to travelers.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
For us down this end? Like I said, the road
is the obstacle. It's impassable. I think they're predicted they
may have that done within a month. We may be
able to partially open by June if that's the case,
but that'll be our biggest obstacle. We won't have rooms ready,
but we'll have some camping available and limited services then.
(04:12):
But yeah, I just I don't have a date at
this stage. It's all dependent on the road.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Yeah. Well, and that's something that you know that is
out of your hands. I guess it's something we can
certainly follow up with the government. I know it's a
tough one because it's you know, like it's it's something
that's not a really quick fix.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
Either it's you don't want to quick fix or a
band aid fix. You want it done right. So I
do understand that these things take time, and they are
working on it. I've seen that today the roadworks have
officially started, so yeah, they are doing what they promise.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
That is good to hear. Well, we're also due to
catch up. Well, we're hoping that we might be able
to catch up with the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure
at some point over the next couple of days, so
we'll see if we can get a bit for the
detail as well. Yeah, tell me, have you guys what
you know in terms of financial assistance from the government
or assistance more broadly from the government. What have you
(05:08):
seen thus far?
Speaker 2 (05:11):
So there is a business grant that's been released so
far that I have now applied for. I haven't had
any correspondence back to whether or not we're successful, but
that's given to you in two parts. That's the ten
thousand dollars and then there is a personal re establishment
(05:31):
one for your personal house that you can go for
as well. So at this stage I've only accessed to
don't know if we're successful, but there's not a lot
out there, but it's something any bit helped.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
Yeah, well, you would think that you know, if anyone's
going to be eligible, if your whole business is in
the situation that it's in. You would hope that you
guys are.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Yeah, yeah, surely. Look, I don't think we'll have a problem.
We've got plenty of troof obviously, but it will. These
things take time, so just be how we go.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
You sound so positive and so lovely despite what has
gone on. I love you know, I love that. I
think it's such a territory and thing.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Oh look, we've got so much support out here. We're
kind of the new kids on the block. We've only
been here three going on four years, and all our neighbors,
which are our friends really, they've just been really supportive.
So they help, they help lift you up. I bet
they everyone's working together.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
Yeah, yeah, I bet they do. And I know that.
You know. Another thing that's been so heartwarming during this
time has been the desire from people sort of wanting
to help. Have you had many people reach out wanting
to lend a hand or support to you guys at
this time.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Yes, so many. A lot of our regular guests that
come and stay with us yearly, even even people we
haven't met before, family, friends, everyone, So it's just for us.
We can't get people in at this stage safely, so
we're Yeah, that's a bit on the back burner for
us at the moment, but soon enough, Yeah, we'll get
(07:05):
an army in and be back up and running.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
Well, I know you've got a job in front of you,
there is no doubt about that. But Jess, I tell you,
even my producers saying to me, it is awesome out there.
I cannot wait to be able to get back out
there when we can. So I know there's a lot
of people that are wanting you know that, I wanting
you guys to be able to get back on your
feet and get back to normal. It'll take time, but
(07:28):
I know you'll have the support of the Northern Territory
ready to get out there and stay.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
Oh, that's for sure. Daily's quite iconic. I think it
means a lot to a lot of people. So yeah,
we'll get it back up and running and get people
back out here as soon as we can.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
Well, Jess Lazarrek, it's really lovely to speak to you
this morning. I appreciate you giving us a bit of
perspective as well, you know, letting people know how it
is for you guys at the moment and the work
ahead and the fact that that road's still damaged. I
think it's important for people to realize that because sometimes,
you know, we have these massive weather events and then
it sort of falls off the media a little bit
(08:04):
and people forget how much work there still is to
have happened.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Yeah, that's right. It's quite a task ahead, and I think, well,
everyone's going to be working on their properties, like I said,
into the into next year. It's a mammoth job. But yeah,
it's Yeah, unless you say it, you wouldn't believe it. Yeah,
to fathom really.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
No, I totally understand what you're saying, Jess. I really
appreciate you having a chat with us this morning. Thank
you so much, no problem, Thanks Katie, thank you, Thanks
so much.
Well, we've all seen the devastating impact and the destruction
caused by the flooding at the Daily River and spoken
at length about the evacuation and the recovery of residency
in relation to the Naiyu community and those who live
and run businesses along Willianna Road. Well, joining me on
the line right now is Jess Lazarek from the Darwin
River bush Camp to tell us a little bit more
(00:20):
about how things are going. Good morning to you, Jess,
Hi Katie, thanks for having me, Thanks so much for
your time this morning. And I think I said Darwin
River at the beginning there instead of Daily River. I
do apologize. Okay, there is so much happening around the
place when it comes to the recovery. Eff it's following
(00:41):
on from devastating floods. How are things going for you
guys at the moment, Look.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
We're progressing slowly here. We've got a couple of obstacles
in front of us, the road being a major one,
so it's sort of it's hard for us to get
building materials in and out. And yeah, just that access
is really stopping us from progressing further to get help
in as well. But we are getting there slowly and
they have started works on that today, so that's a positive.
(01:10):
There is some action happening.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
Just tell me for you guys, what is the like.
Paint us a bit of a picture as to what
you sort of you know, you came back to after
the flooding, because I imagine that you had to be
you know, that you evacuated out and then you came back,
and I would imagine you really weren't sure what you
were going to be coming back to.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
No, not really. So my partner had done a couple
of trips temporary trips in to start the process, but
for myself here I didn't really know what to expect
and it was just a disaster zone. It was really sad.
The place is just unrecognizable, Like I'm talking about the
whole road itself and then our place as well. We've
(01:57):
made a fair bit of progress cleaning it up now,
but you know, buildings have been pretty hit pretty hard. Yeah,
so it wasn't very nice thing to come back to,
but we're getting there, making small having small winds.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Yeah. Well, and you touched on the fact that you
know the road, the access is a big part at
this point in time. Tell me you know, what sort
of work have you done so far in terms of
the restoration or you know, the cleaning up as a
result of the damage, and what you've still got to do,
I suppose.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
So we're calling it stage one completed. We've got all
the mud out of the buildings and we're just starting
to strip them now. Unfortunately, we've got to gut some
of them flaws, walls, feelings and all, so we're starting
that stripping process. We've done a little bit of yard
work with the Bobcat, cleaning up some sand and things,
(02:51):
and now we're working on the pool. We've got a
few projects on the go actually, so we are managing
to do little things without materials. But yeah, we really
need that access to progress.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
I love that can do attitude because I tell you
what I'm thinking to myself as you're saying, and how
are you doing that, Jess, When you can't get your materials,
When you can't get bloody access.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
I just I think there's just going to be something
to do for a year to come. There's always going
to be something. So yeah, there's just that much on
the go. You do find something to do, but it
would be really handy to progress further for this road access,
which they are working on. So that's the positive.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Yeah, we know that the dry season is of cause
peak tourist season, and usually by now the daily would
be inundated with keen anglers as well as the gray
Nomad's traveling up from south. Do you have any idea
when you might be able to open again to travelers.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
For us down this end? Like I said, the road
is the obstacle. It's impassable. I think they're predicted they
may have that done within a month. We may be
able to partially open by June if that's the case,
but that'll be our biggest obstacle. We won't have rooms ready,
but we'll have some camping available and limited services then.
(04:12):
But yeah, I just I don't have a date at
this stage. It's all dependent on the road.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Yeah. Well, and that's something that you know that is
out of your hands. I guess it's something we can
certainly follow up with the government. I know it's a
tough one because it's you know, like it's it's something
that's not a really quick fix.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
Either it's you don't want to quick fix or a
band aid fix. You want it done right. So I
do understand that these things take time, and they are
working on it. I've seen that today the roadworks have
officially started, so yeah, they are doing what they promise.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
That is good to hear. Well, we're also due to
catch up. Well, we're hoping that we might be able
to catch up with the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure
at some point over the next couple of days, so
we'll see if we can get a bit for the
detail as well. Yeah, tell me, have you guys what
you know in terms of financial assistance from the government
or assistance more broadly from the government. What have you
(05:08):
seen thus far?
Speaker 2 (05:11):
So there is a business grant that's been released so
far that I have now applied for. I haven't had
any correspondence back to whether or not we're successful, but
that's given to you in two parts. That's the ten
thousand dollars and then there is a personal re establishment
(05:31):
one for your personal house that you can go for
as well. So at this stage I've only accessed to
don't know if we're successful, but there's not a lot
out there, but it's something any bit helped.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
Yeah, well, you would think that you know, if anyone's
going to be eligible, if your whole business is in
the situation that it's in. You would hope that you
guys are.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Yeah, yeah, surely. Look, I don't think we'll have a problem.
We've got plenty of troof obviously, but it will. These
things take time, so just be how we go.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
You sound so positive and so lovely despite what has
gone on. I love you know, I love that. I
think it's such a territory and thing.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Oh look, we've got so much support out here. We're
kind of the new kids on the block. We've only
been here three going on four years, and all our neighbors,
which are our friends really, they've just been really supportive.
So they help, they help lift you up. I bet
they everyone's working together.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
Yeah, yeah, I bet they do. And I know that.
You know. Another thing that's been so heartwarming during this
time has been the desire from people sort of wanting
to help. Have you had many people reach out wanting
to lend a hand or support to you guys at
this time.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Yes, so many. A lot of our regular guests that
come and stay with us yearly, even even people we
haven't met before, family, friends, everyone, So it's just for us.
We can't get people in at this stage safely, so
we're Yeah, that's a bit on the back burner for
us at the moment, but soon enough, Yeah, we'll get
(07:05):
an army in and be back up and running.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
Well, I know you've got a job in front of you,
there is no doubt about that. But Jess, I tell you,
even my producers saying to me, it is awesome out there.
I cannot wait to be able to get back out
there when we can. So I know there's a lot
of people that are wanting you know that, I wanting
you guys to be able to get back on your
feet and get back to normal. It'll take time, but
(07:28):
I know you'll have the support of the Northern Territory
ready to get out there and stay.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
Oh, that's for sure. Daily's quite iconic. I think it
means a lot to a lot of people. So yeah,
we'll get it back up and running and get people
back out here as soon as we can.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
Well, Jess Lazarrek, it's really lovely to speak to you
this morning. I appreciate you giving us a bit of
perspective as well, you know, letting people know how it
is for you guys at the moment and the work
ahead and the fact that that road's still damaged. I
think it's important for people to realize that because sometimes,
you know, we have these massive weather events and then
it sort of falls off the media a little bit
(08:04):
and people forget how much work there still is to
have happened.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Yeah, that's right. It's quite a task ahead, and I think, well,
everyone's going to be working on their properties, like I said,
into the into next year. It's a mammoth job. But yeah,
it's Yeah, unless you say it, you wouldn't believe it. Yeah,
to fathom really.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
No, I totally understand what you're saying, Jess. I really
appreciate you having a chat with us this morning. Thank
you so much, no problem, Thanks Katie, thank you, Thanks
so much.
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