NT: Calls for inquiry about Aboriginal town camps

Unrest over the state of accommodation in Northern Territory Aboriginal town camps is spreading, with legal action underway and a call for a parliamentary inquiry from angry residents.

Three-quarters of households in the remote Indigenous community of Santa Teresa, about 80 kilometres from Alice Springs, have launched legal action against the Territory Government. 

The residents claim that long-overdue repairs and maintenance have not been carried out on their housing. 

One Santa Teresa resident, Ernestine Williams, who has lived in the community her whole life, said conditions had never been this bad. 

"I have a leaking roof which gets into the lights and becomes dangerous," Ms Williams said.

"When it storms our house becomes flooded and we have to move out to my sister's house."

Australian Lawyers for Remote Aboriginal Rights have taken unprecedented legal action on behalf of the tenants against the Territory Government. 

They lodged claims to Northern Territory Civil Administrative Tribunal (NCAT), which detail over 600 housing maintenance requests that have not been met in the required timeframe under the Residential Tenancy Act.

Katie Gordon, one of the lawyers representing the tenants, said they had gathered evidence from tenants in the past, but the Department of Housing and the company contracted to look after the repairs acted before the lawyers could take the matters further.

"We don't want to see this happen over and over again where lawyers have to take action to get anything done in remote communities," Ms Gordon said. 

NT Minister for Housing Bess Price said her department was "actively working with the contractor to action and finalise all outstanding works as soon as possible". 

In the meantime, residents are concerned about health and safety impacts from damaged houses. 

Ms Williams' son Ernie has been in and out of hospital for the past couple of years.

She said the living conditions had not helped his condition.

"I just get worried for him, he might get sick again," Ms Williams said.