Media Release - Barkly Regional Council Announces CEO's Departure, Interim Leadership Appointed

Thursday 5 March 2026  The Barkly Regional Council (BRC) is making it easy for kids to stay cool in the pool before it closes for a few days at the end of the month to enable emergency maintenance. During March parents with children and youth under 16-years-old can ditch the cash and use a refundable container as an entry token. BRC CEO Peter Harder said the trash-for-splash deal means that kids can stay cool in the pool in exchange for helping to keep the town clean. “Closing the pool for a few days is going to be disappointing for locals, so until then we’re making it easier to spend as much time at the pool as possible,” he said. “It’s also a good lesson for young people to realise refundable cans and bottles are tradeable assets that support a circular economy. “Perhaps there won’t be so much litter on our streets when they see that rubbish that they walk over every day is actually worth money.” Mr Harder said Council would be monitoring the success of the March bin-to-win deal to measure the merit of the strategy. The swimming pool, which was built in the mid-1960s, has been a hot topic on the Council agenda for some time. The complex was significantly upgraded in 2015 however, due to funding limitations, not all works were completed. Now the pumps and filters are set to be replaced, and the March closure will deal with those priorities. Emergency maintenance work - amounting to $151,000 - will focus on restoring pump room equipment which has been funded by the NT Government following advocacy by the Member for Barkly Steve Edgington. Mr Harder said the Council appreciated Minister Edgington’s understanding of the critical situation at the pool and his proactive efforts to secure the funding for initial repairs. “We have now turned to Minister Edgington again to help secure funding for other high priority works,” he said. “Council urgently requires a further $2.5 million for new shade sails and to replace pipework that is at risk of imminent failure. “Minister Edginton has strong ties to the community, and we know he recognises the importance of our swimming pool; so we are confident he will advocate strongly for the next round of upgrades which are functional necessities, not luxuries.” -ENDS-

Wednesday 4 March 2026  Following concerted lobbying by the Barkly Regional Council (BRC) after a recent severe weather event, the Federal and NT Governments have activated disaster assistance for the Barkly region. A cost-sharing agreement between the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments, the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) supports the delivery of urgent financial assistance to disaster affected communities. A region-wide assessment to reveal the extent of the damage is currently underway. Once assessed, the Council will be able to restore essential public assets and infrastructure such as debris removal, temporary repairs, and works to make properties safe. Heavy rain and high winds that lashed the Barkly during February caused major damage to roads and other critical infrastructure. Days of torrential downpours isolated communities and pastoral stations and left many routes impassable. Residents of Imangara, who relocated to Ali Curung after their homes flooded, have still not been able to return. BRC CEO Peter Harder said the Council lobbied extensively for the activation of the DRFA to be able to access the funding required for repairs. “Intense rainfall and flash flooding across the region caused widespread damage to roads, community assets and critical infrastructure,” he said. “Now we must determine the full extent of the impacts so we can establish recovery priorities as soon as possible. “We are also hoping the DRFA will support Council to make our roads and communities more resilient to these types of events in the future." END