Politics · Australia · 5 hrs ago
Darwin short-stay shelter residents face move to Batchelor
The Northern Territory government is closing YiSSA, a short-stay accommodation facility in Marrara, Darwin.
Up to 120 people still living there are being moved to a new facility in Batchelor, about 100 kilometres south.
The move follows protests by residents and supporters, who say they feel disregarded and are worried about where they will stay.
Residents have also raised concerns about getting to healthcare, education, shops and family from Batchelor.
The government says the new facility will provide food, care, clothing and a bed, though residents will pay less per day because lunch and dinner will not be provided.
Some residents say the move could make it harder for medically vulnerable people and disrupt children’s lives.
Two buses have been arranged to help residents move.
Up to 120 people at Darwin’s Yilli Short-Stay Accommodation facility are due to move to new accommodation in Batchelor, about 100 kilometres south.
Residents and former residents have protested the closure and raised concerns about access to healthcare, education, transport and family.
The Northern Territory government says the new facility will provide food, care, clothing and a bed.
Residents who move to Batchelor are set to pay $10 less per day, but lunch and dinner will not be provided.
The reported closure timing changed: the Chief Minister said the facility would close yesterday, while an information sheet told residents it would close today.
- Who
- Up to 120 people still living at Yilli Short-Stay Accommodation, including residents with families and medical needs.
- What
- Residents are being moved from the Darwin shelter to new accommodation in Batchelor.
- When
- The move was scheduled for today, according to the article published on October 11, 2026.
- Where
- From Marrara in Darwin to Batchelor, about 100 kilometres south.
- Why
- Not stated.
Northern Territory government
YiSSA residents and critics of the closure
Reason for the move
Northern Territory government
The government says it has established an alternative facility with food, care, clothing and a bed.
YiSSA residents and critics of the closure
Residents say the move will make it harder to reach healthcare, education, shops, transport and family.
Cost and provisions
Northern Territory government
The government information sheet says accommodation will cost $10 less per day in Batchelor.
YiSSA residents and critics of the closure
Residents say they are uncertain about where they will stay, and the new facility will not provide lunch or dinner.
We have stood up an alternative facility that provides people food, care, clothing, a warm bed, a roof over their head
They're treating us like cattle being chased from a station; we're human beings
I don't know where I am staying today
We don't have any other place to stay — this is a good place where the bus comes around and takes all the patients to the clinic or the hospital
About 200 people gathered outside YiSSA to protest the facility’s closure.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said YiSSA would close yesterday.
An information sheet said YiSSA would close, with two buses arranged to help residents move to Batchelor.
- Residents still at YiSSA
- Up to 120
- New accommodation
- Batchelor, about 100 kilometres south of Darwin
- Protesters
- About 200 gathered outside YiSSA
- Daily accommodation cost
- $10 less per day in Batchelor
- Meals
- Lunch and dinner will not be provided at the new facility
Sources
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