CLP government unveils $27m for new Alice Springs infrastructure – these are the projects funded
The new CLP government has unveiled a significant cash splash in Alice Springs under its new infrastructure plan, with good news for skaters, swimmers, readers, community sports clubs, and tourism operators.
Northern Territory
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The new CLP government has unveiled a significant cash splash in Alice Springs under its new infrastructure plan, with good news for skaters, swimmers, readers, community sports clubs, and tourism operators.
On Monday, Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and locally based ministers Bill Yan and Joshua Burgoyne will sign a memorandum of understanding with Alice Springs Town Council, setting out the NT government’s financial commitments to a variety of projects.
Headlined by a number of big ticket items, the plan is sure to please locals who felt unloved by the former Labor government, which they accused of showering the Top End with cash to their detriment.
Among their significant new commitments:
– $1.8m towards a new regional Skate and Play Precinct at Newland Park, with funding co-contributions from Alice Springs Town Council ($1.8m) and the commonwealth ($4m).
– $450,000 to bankroll free pool access at the Alice Springs Aquatic and Leisure Centre during summer holidays, Saturday afternoons, and all day Sunday.
– Development of new sporting facilities in Gillen, including upgrades at Jim McConville Oval.
– $14.96m to construct a new Alice Springs Town Council library, with a $5m funding co-contribution from the council.
– $5m to establish a new multicultural centre.
– $4.8m towards a new Tourism Central Australia headquarters and visitor information centre.
The CLP also reaffirmed its commitments to reverse the closure of Anzac Oval to make way for the future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Gallery of Australia, and deliver the gallery itself on budget.
Logistics and Infrastructure Minister, and Namatjira MLA, Bill Yan said the Alice Springs infrastructure plan would come at no additional cost to taxpayers, with the budget to be reallocated from elsewhere.
“This infrastructure plan reflects our government’s commitment to targeted, sustainable investment in Alice Springs, and other parts of the Territory,” he said.
Alice Springs Mayor Matt Paterson, who hasn’t had much to champion in recent months, amid the township’s ongoing social unrest and declining confidence, said the new MOU represented a priceless opportunity for his community.
“Improving liveability for residents of Alice Springs is council’s number one priority,” he said.
“We’re thrilled to work with the Northern Territory Government to build infrastructure that will have a positive impact on residents for generations to come.
“The diversity of our community is one of the things I love most about Alice Springs, and that is further strengthened with this announcement.
“Along with the boost to tourism, this is a really exciting day for our community.”
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly claimed ASTC’s contribution to Newland Park was $5.8m, on the basis council said in its 2024–25 municipal plan it had “allocated” the project $5.8m under its budget. This figure also included the commonwealth’s $4m, so ASTC’s contribution was actually $1.8m.
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Originally published as CLP government unveils $27m for new Alice Springs infrastructure – these are the projects funded