Council prepared to challenge NT Government on National Aboriginal Art Gallery site in Alice Springs

Alice Springs Town Council will challenge any attempts made by the Northern Territory Labor Government to compulsory acquire Anzac Oval for use as part of the proposed National Aboriginal Art Gallery (NAAG).

Minister for Territory Families and Member for Braitling Dale Wakefield and Alice Springs Town Council Mayor Damien Ryan. Photo: EMMA MURRAY

Alice Springs Town Council will challenge any attempts made by the Northern Territory Labor Government to compulsory acquire Anzac Oval for use as part of the proposed National Aboriginal Art Gallery (NAAG).

The decision was made during a special council meeting held on Thursday in direct response to comments made by Minster for Territory Families Dale Wakefield; that the Territory Government would move to compulsory acquire the land in the coming weeks.

Speaking to ABC Breakfast Radio on Wednesday, when asked whether the Territory Government would consider a site other than Anzac Oval to revive what one listener described as the currently “dead in the water” project, Minister Wakefield remained steadfast on the Government’s position.

“I think there is no better time for us to focus on this project and it is absolutely vital,” Minister Wakefield said.

“Every piece of feedback I’m getting from the tourism industry is that we need this delivered more importantly than ever. We have said very clearly that we will be compulsory acquiring Anzac Oval if the Town Council cannot come to the party because we need it built.”

Alice Springs Town Council CEO Robert Jennings has developed options for the National Indigenous Art Gallery to be built in Alice Springs, including at Anzac Oval. Picture: ALICE SPRINGS TOWN COUNCIL

Asked how soon the Government would be willing to “pull the trigger” on compulsory acquirement by the ABC, Minister Wakefield said it was only a matter of weeks.

“We have sent a letter to the Council, myself and Lauren Moss, with our absolutely last ditch attempt for us to work together,” she said.

“We haven’t heard back as yet.

“We will absolutely pull the trigger in the next few weeks.

“We need it done. We need certainty. And we need to be making sure that tourism businesses can plan for their future knowing the Aboriginal art gallery is going to be a part of it.”

The letters, dated March 9 and April 8 respectively, “again ask Council to endorse the use of the Anzac Precinct for the project, including the Anzac High school [sic] site and Anzac Oval.”

The letters include no comment regarding alternative sites for the proposed National Aboriginal Art Gallery.

Alice Springs Town Council CEO Robert Jennings confirmed Council had responded to the aforementioned letters the morning of Wednesday, May 6.

Mr Jennings also confirmed the NT Government had called off previously scheduled fortnightly meetings with Alice Springs Town Council as a result of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Addressing his colleagues during the special council meeting, Councillor Eli Melky said Council’s written response to the NT Government was not completed in an “unreasonable timeline,” expressing concern at the use of the phrase “pull the trigger” in the public sphere.

“I remain incredibly concerned at the Minister’s comments,” Mr Melky said.

“For her to make an inappropriate comment using the term ‘trigger,’ I can tell you I have had my phone ringing off the hook from people who are absolutely beside themselves.”

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Explaining that the use of “military-style language” was reminiscent of historical violence and the acquiring of land by use-of-force, Mr Melky said older generations of the Aboriginal community in Alice Springs had disclosed to him that the use of language by Minister Wakefield was culturally inappropriate.

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“The establishment of the National Aboriginal Art Gallery is a promise made by the NT Government and they have been unable to deliver it in the last four years,” Mr Melky said.

“The reality is, Council has provided them with unanimous decisions and genuine attempts to get this project off the ground and yet they continue to provide these interesting responses via the public.

“Her comments are petty, political headline grabbing.

“We need to call out this Minister and this Government for being immature in this process, given we are all trying to survive and manage our way through COVID-19.”

Anzac Oval – referred to in official documents as Lot 678 – currently belongs to the Alice Springs Town Council.

The NT Government, through the Acquisition section of the Department of Lands, Planning and the Environment, has the legal right to acquire land that is needed for projects under the Lands Acquisition Act 1978.

The Centralian Advocate has requested access to Alice Springs Town Council’s letter to the NT Government dated Wednesday, April 6.