Todd Mall traders hold ‘real fear’ around Alice Springs CBD regeneration project

One group hold ‘real fear’ around a multimillion-dollar CBD regeneration project – but the chief executive of the council behind the project says a ‘business continuity plan’ will quell concerns.

A group of traders hold “real fear” around an NT CBD regeneration project – but the chief executive for council behind the multimillion-dollar revitalisation says works will go ahead in way which “doesn’t disrupt” businesses.

Alice Plaza manager – and current sitting councillor – Eli Melky took the concerns of the Todd Mall Traders Association to the Alice Springs Town Council ordinary council meeting, where he said the association has “real fear” the regenerating the town centre project will “affect their businesses”.

“There are thoughts and hopes they can avoid the downtime and loss of business for up to two or three months, where some traders are considering that they may well need to close,” he said.

The Alice Springs Town Council has unveiled the final designs for the regenerating the town centre project. Picture: ASTC

The $20 million project went out to tender at the beginning of July, and has been in the works since 2023, when public consultation first began.

As part of the tender package, there contractor has a requirement to “address business continuity,” council chief executive Andrew Wilsmore told Mr Melky on Tuesday.

“So there’s a very strong emphasis on that aspect to make sure works proceed in a way that doesn’t disrupt business,” he said.

“It’s our belief that there shouldn’t be any kind of any significant closing of any of the stores, there will be always be pedestrian access to the stores throughout the entire build process.”

Concerns around noise pollution, construction dust, and “potential smells” from plumbing works were also raised by Mr Melky, but Mr Wilsmore said this will all fall under the business continuity plan.

Todd Mall. Picture: Gera Kazakov

“As we finalise the tender and finalise who the successful tenderer is, we’ll have a much clearer understanding of what their plans for business are,” Mr Wilsmore said.

A “substantial amount” of funding to support Todd mall traders has also been allocated by council, Mr Wilsmore said.

Mr Melky said he’d promised the traders association to bring their concerns to council following a group meeting Monday night.

Council is expecting construction to begin on the project later this year, according to the website, pending the tender being awarded.

The final designs for the CBD revitalisation project were unveiled last week, and the tender for project closes July 31.

The project is revitalising Hartley St, Leichhardt Tce, and the Todd Mall – but due to a disagreement between the Flynn Uniting Church and council, a segment of the Todd mall upgrade will not proceed.

Originally published as Todd Mall traders hold ‘real fear’ around Alice Springs CBD regeneration project