NT planning minister Josh Burgoyne greenlights 100+ apartment proposal for Alice Springs

An empty block in the heart of the Red Centre capital is one step closer to transforming into more than 100 apartments, with the project getting the green light from the Territory’s planning minister.

Melanka new scaled back vision for 94 Todd St, Alice Springs, with 144 new apartments as opposed to 174 now planned for the site.

The Red Centre capital's skyline is one step closer to changing, with a mammoth apartment proposal for a long empty block in the centre of town now approved by the Territory’s planning minister.

Sitting empty since 2009, Melanka has now been given the approval to build four-six storey buildings and an accompanying five storey building on 94 Todd St, Alice Springs.

Lands, Planning and Environment minister Joshua Burgoyne signed off on the application on February 11 – the third time the site has been given development approval.

Minister for Planning, Lands, and Environment Josh Burgoyne. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Once completed, there will be 144 new apartments in the Red Centre capital.

The Northern Territory Government will acquire 50 per cent of the apartments, with the rest expected to hit the market.

In his decision to approve the proposal, Mr Burgoyne said it “provides additional housing choice in the local market” and responds to the requirements to protect three sacred trees on the site.

The boab trees on 94 Todd Street, Alice Springs. More than 100 apartments are planned for the site, with the original development application stating the boab tree will be retained. Picture: Gera Kazakov.

Mr Burgoyne said the site was designated for “tourist use and development” as part of the Alice Springs Regional Land Use Plan (ASRLUP).

“One of the key urban residential objectives within the ASRLUP includes expanding housing options by introducing a greater variety of housing types and sizes to accommodate diverse households, including singles, couples, temporary residents, and retirees as well as promoting infill development, including mixed-use and residential opportunities within the CBD,” Mr Burgoyne’s decision said.

The latest proposal for the long empty site was first put forward in July 2024 and sought to build 174 apartments on the site. 

Melanka new scaled back vision for 94 Todd St, Alice Springs, with 144 new apartments as opposed to 174 now planned for the site.

But in November last year Melanka downsized the number of apartments on the site.

This was attributed to increasing the setbacks required for the apartments set to face Hartley St, Cunnington Town Planners’ Brad Cunnington told a NT planning commission hearing on the proposal.

A month before the revised plan was released, Alice Springs Town Councillor Marli Banks began a petition against the proposal.

Ms Banks petition – which garnered 132 signatures – was opposed to the development as it aimed to build apartments to “accommodate Fly-In-Fly-Out (FIFO) workers”.

Previously, exceptional development applications for the site were granted in 2010 and 2015.

The latter, approved by then planning minister David Tollner was a $100 million plan which included a rooftop bar, an 86-room hotel, 190 apartments, and a childcare centre.

Originally published as NT planning minister Josh Burgoyne greenlights 100+ apartment proposal for Alice Springs