NT Government reinforce they will compulsory acquire Anzac Oval

The NT Government have reiterated they will compulsory acquire Anzac Oval to build the National Aboriginal Art Gallery in the precinct if the Alice Springs Town Council does not release the land

Member for Braitling Dale Wakefield has reiterated the NT Government will compulsory acquire Anzac Oval to build the National Aboriginal Art Gallery in the precinct if the Alice Springs Town Council does not release the land. Photo: EMMA MURRAY

The NT Government have reiterated they will compulsory acquire Anzac Oval to build the National Aboriginal Art Gallery in the precinct if the Alice Springs Town Council does not release the land.

The Alice Springs Town Council is holding a special meeting, to be chaired by Deputy Mayor Matt Paterson, to discuss the matter on Thursday.

Families Minister Dale Wakefield said on Wednesday the precinct was the best place for the gallery.

“Right through this whole process we’re being very clear that Anzac Oval and the whole precinct is the correct place for the indigenous Aboriginal Art Gallery,” she said.

“This project is even more important at the moment with the challenges faced by our tourism industry. We are determined to deliver that.

“This is an absolutely game changing piece of infrastructure for Alice Springs and it is what we need to get the planes back to get the tourists back, as well as to make sure that Aboriginal art and culture is at the centre of our town.”

Ms Wakefield wrote to the Alice Springs Town Council in March, and again (with Tourism, Sport and Culture Minister Lauren Moss) last month, requesting the Council reconsider its position on using the Anzac Oval site for the gallery.

Ms Wakefield said the plans indicate that the iconic building may extend somewhat onto the existing oval.

“It will require an access road and ability for large vehicles to turnaround,” she said.

“There will, however, by plenty of room available for open green space, gardens and infrastructure (such as a stage) that the community has indicated it wants.

“We will be able to acknowledge the military and sporting heritage and incorporate other ideas from the community.

Anzac Oval in Alice Springs, where it is proposed the National Indigenous Art Gallery will be built. Picture: ANDREA JOHNSTON

“It will in fact open up community space that is currently behind a locked wire fence.”

The April letter asked Council to endorse the use of the Anzac Precinct for the project including the Anzac High School site and Anzac Oval.

“This will ensure construction of a world-class art museum, as well as parkland for the entire community to enjoy — and visitors once travel restrictions are able to be safely lifted,” the joint letter stated.

Ms Wakefield stated in her letter that she had many approaches from traditional owners saying they wanted the gallery to be built at the Anzac Precinct site.

“Many traditional owners just want us just to get on with it just like most of Alice Springs want us to get on with this project that is what we’re doing,” she said.

“By having one owner of the precinct it means that they’ll have one level of negotiation.”

Council members agreed that they want evidence of this support before it would change its position.

Ms Wakefield said the details of sport, such a rugby league, using the oval can be worked through.

“What we need is the certainty of one owner for the whole precinct so that we can start the planning, we can go to the Federal Government, ask for their support on what is a nation building piece of infrastructure, as well as having the certainty of having one voice of negotiating with traditional owners,” she said.