The biggest stories from Alice Springs and the Red Centre in 2024
Two curfews, one visit from the Prime Minister, and a baby hospitalised interstate: here are the biggest moments in Alice Springs and the Red Centre in 2024.
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A murder, two curfews, one visit from the Prime Minister and a town still recovering from a two-month-old girl’s hospitalisation: these are 2024’s biggest stories from Alice Springs and the Red Centre.
New Year’s murder spurs interstate extradition
On New Year’s Day, the body of 19-year-old Yiel ‘Yoal’ Deng Gatluak was discovered on Undoolya Rd, 10km east of Alice Springs.
It was a devastating start to the year for the town’s small but mighty African community, who rallied behind the family and supported them.
Police have accused 22-year-old Koang Wuordol, Guandong Lual Gatl Guandong, and 17-year-old of murdering Yoal.
Mr Wuordol was extradited from Melbourne to Alice Springs to fight the charges, spending the year in remand since his arrest on January 15.
At his first hearing in the Alice Springs Local Court, he did not apply for bail.
Bail applications for Mr Gaundong and the 17-year-old were refused by Judge David Bamber.
Neither of the accused trio have entered pleas.
Throughout the year, their matter was in and out of court in Alice Springs.
They last appeared in November, and are set to return, January 16, 2025 – one year and a day after the extradition, and more than a year since the alleged murder took place.
Two curfews, one visit from the Prime Minister
When more than 70 people attacked the Todd Tavern in Alice Springs at the end of March, the town was back making headlines both nationally and internationally.
Videos emerged showing staff barricading themselves inside the tavern, as attempts were made to kick the door in, rocks were thrown at the window, and nearby parked cars were smashed.
It prompted then-Chief Minister Eva Lawler to implement the town’s first curfew of 2024, with 58 extra cops sent to town – some even coming from South Australia to bolster the ranks.
Ms Lawler called what happened at the Todd Tavern “horrific” and “unacceptable,” stating she was “fed up with this appalling level of crime and anti-social behaviour”.
With a six day extension, the first curfew would end three weeks later on April 16, but another would come later in the year in July.
The second would only last three days, and applied to all residents, whereas the first only applied to people under 18 years.
Whole council sacked – but legal troubles still linger for former mayor
But just before the second curfew was announced for Alice Springs, the whole of the Barkly Regional Council – headquartered in Tennant Creek – was dismissed by then-Attorney-General Chansey Peach.
The dismissal came when a report by Ruth Morley investigating the council’s conduct between January 2022 and October 2023 was released at the end of June.
In the report, Ms Morley found conflicts of interest were not properly managed, council failed to seek information before making critical decisions, and that elected members did not understand their roles.
Then-Mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin and then-chief executive Emma Bradbury of the council have both denied any wrongdoing.
But the dismissal was one part of a turbulent year for Mr McLaughlin.
Later in the year, police would quietly “finalise” an investigation into his controversial citizens arrest in 2023 without laying any charges.
Mr McLaughlin is however still fighting drug related charges in court.
He has pleaded not guilty to the charges – which relate to possession and driving under the influence of cannabis – with his matter set to return in 2025.
Meanwhile, Barkly Regional Council now has new members and a mayor, with Sid Vashist elected in November.
Works begin to tear down, then rebuild, Anzac Oval
With the election of Lia Finocchiaro as the Territory’s new chief minister in August, her first trip to Alice Springs led to her halting works at Anzac Oval to build an Aboriginal Art Gallery in September.
Work began on the proposed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Gallery of Australia in May under Lawler’s Labor government when the goalposts at the oval were removed.
Construction signage went up at the oval, but by the end of the year, it was down.
The project has long been opposed by some residents – who want to see the gallery built south of Heavitree Gap.
But despite the opposition, the CLP government is pushing ahead, announcing a scaled back project which has downsized the gallery in a new masterplan for the precinct.
Originally scheduled to be finished in 2025, the latest plan has a completion date of 2027.
The project will, however, stay within its $149 million budget, the CLP believes.
Passengers rattled as iconic train involved in prang
Staying in September, the “trip of a lifetime” was turned upside down for some punters when the Ghan was involved in a crash with a cattle truck north of Alice Springs.
The truck driver was treated by paramedics at the scene for shock and transported to Alice Springs hospital as a precaution.
Neither the cattle nor passengers from the train were injured.
The crash is currently being investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, which expected to deliver its findings in 2025.
In the aftermath of the crash, some passengers were flown out of Alice Springs after spending a night in town.
But for Melbourne woman Phillipa Edwards, things could have been worse.
“To be honest, if you’re going to be hit by anything at least it’s on the Ghan with a fully stocked bar and excellent staff,” she said.
Top tourist attraction hits the market – but no clear buyer emerges
In November, Journey Beyond would be back in the news, this time for its reported interest in another jewel in the crown of Territory tourism: Ayers Rock Resort.
Currently owned by the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, and run by its subsidiary Voyages Indigenous Tourism, the site was placed on the market in early 2024.
However, in November it would emerge both Journey Beyond and Airport Development Group (ADG) were eyeing the site.
But while Journey Beyond kept its potential interest tight-lipped, ADG told this masthead it “strongly believes that such an iconic destination should remain in Australian hands.”
“As a proud Australian company, ADG represents the investments of everyday Australians, through superannuation contributions, and would embrace the responsibility of safeguarding this culturally significant and iconic part of Australia’s heritage,” the spokesperson said.
Greenhill and Gilbert and Tobin are assisting with the sale, with 2025 potentially signalling some big changes at Uluru.
A heartbreaking end to the year for Alice Springs
The Todd River trickling from recent rain (the second time it ran in 2024) would not be how Alice Springs residents would remember December in town, once they learned what happened on Bokhara St, Larapinta, December 11.
That day, the Siguenza family would be briefly separated as mother Nicole and eight-week-old Antonia would fly to Adelaide Women and Children’s hospital for treatment.
Antonia had her skull fractured and a brain bleed, allegedly inflicted by a youth who had broken into the family’s home.
A metal bar was swung at Ms Siguenza, striking her while she was holding her newborn in her arms, police alleged.
In the wake of the incident, Chief Minister Finocchiaro flew into town alongside NT police commissioner Michael Murphy.
Upon arrival, anti-crime advocate Darren Clark heckled Ms Finocchiaro, calling for her to stand aside.
More police were deployed after the attack, in what was a horror fortnight for the town, where country music icon Ted Egan was broken into, and a woman woke to a man allegedly sexually assaulting her.
It was later revealed the youths accused of the break in, aged 16 and 17, had been bailed a combined 35 times – with both on bail when the baby was assaulted.
Bail was refused when they both faced court after being arrested in connection to the attack.
Neither entered a plea, and both will be back before the courts in 2025.
The Siguenza’s were reunited in Adelaide, where they told the media Antonia was doing better, however the long road to recovery is still ahead of them.
However, to assist, the Alice Springs community and Australia rallied behind them – raising more than $50,000 for the family in a GoFundMe.
“The Titanic couldn’t even hold the amount of tears we’ve cried out of love, out of frustration, out of humility and the support that people have given to us,” Mr Siguenza said.
Originally published as The biggest stories from Alice Springs and the Red Centre in 2024
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