00:01A national spotlight on a divisive housing hurdle.
00:06The closure of Darwin's largest short-stay accommodation facility looming large
00:12as the city opens its doors to Australia's largest homelessness conference.
00:17There'll be a massive spike in rough sleeping as a consequence of the closure
00:21and then what we typically see is the government then respond with punitive responses.
00:28Today, around 150 people protesting the NT government's decision to move Yissa residents
00:34to the Batchelor Township, an hour south of Darwin, a large focus on healthcare access.
00:41Please, CLP, listen to us. We are not puppies. We are human beings just like you.
00:49Please, we need that building to be there.
00:51We have renal patients. We've got as many people diagnosed with cancer.
00:59Listen, some of our people have died.
01:02Despite public outcry at the government's decision to move the Yissa housing unit to Batchelor,
01:08when asked yesterday if the government's since changed its mind,
01:12the Chief Minister had a simple answer. No.
01:17Batchelor residents also concerned for the wellbeing of those making the move,
01:22saying the demountable accommodation is about a one kilometre walk from the local shops.
01:27There's no buses. There's no public transport. They won't have a vehicle.
01:32And if they're on mobility vehicles, scooters, there's no pathways. It's all dirt.
01:41It's, yeah, it's just overwhelming and it's just disappointing and it's just heartbreaking.
01:48A plea for change while the clock is ticking.
