Upcoming election heralds mass exodus of Alice Springs Town Council members

Just two of Alice Springs’ nine elected council members will run for another term, guaranteeing an overhaul of the town’s local government at the upcoming election.

Alice Springs Town Council Mayor Matt Paterson will not recontest the upcoming election. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Just two of Alice Springs’ nine elected council members will run for another term, guaranteeing an overhaul of the town’s local government at the upcoming election.

Among those leaving the Alice Springs Town Council at the August 23 election are Mayor Matt Paterson and Deputy Mayor Mark Coffey.

Mr Coffey said he had decided not to recontest for a second term due to his competing responsibilities, but encouraged others to take on the role.

“Between my business and personal commitments, I won’t be in town as much and I don’t think it’s appropriate to be on the council,” he said.

“We need some good people for council, it’s a worthy role and you can actually make a difference on what goes on in the town.”

Indigenous Alice Springs town councillor Michael Liddle. Picture: Liam Mendes / The Australian

Councillor Michael Liddle will also leave after one term, citing issues with the way council ran and pressures on elected members.

“I had my time there, and things were not changing how they should be,” Cr Liddle said.

“The public’s expectation of councillors is to have fixed big social issues yesterday – it’s just not possible. We need to be holding those causing problems accountable – which is not happening.

“Too many times, issues were put into the too hard basket by the council.”

Councillor Kim Hopper is another single termer as she will be leaving town next year, while Cr Marli Banks is exiting after two terms, saying it “would be great to see others have the opportunity to have a go”.

Alice Springs’ newest councillor Chris Daffy is yet to confirm whether he will run again, less than a year after taking on the job.

The eighth councillor position was left vacant when Gavin Morris quit in March, amid assault charges he continues to fight in local court.

Allison Bitar. Picture: Supplied.

Eli Melky

Of the current members only Cr Allison Bitar and Cr Eli Melky have confirmed their intention to recontest – Cr Bitar as a councillor and Cr Melky for mayor.

Cr Melky is the longest serving member of the council, and hopes to leverage that experience at the ballot box.

“My vision for Alice Springs is for our town to be the place to raise a family, work, play our sports and be happy,” he said.

“If elected Mayor, I will work to maintain our roads, parks, and ovals; keep a strong focus on community safety; and ensure continued strong and experienced leadership.”

Cr Melky is a real estate agent with historical links to the Country Liberal Party (he quit the party in 2014), and Clive Palmer’s Federation Party.

Cr Bitar, meanwhile, contested last year’s NT election on the Labor ticket.

“As part of the next council, I want to continue to deliver the CBD Revitalisation, more recycling initiatives and I’ll advocate for better childcare, protecting ratepayers from cost shifting and for better weed management,” she said.

Outsiders Stuart McGifford, Asta Hill, Danial Rochford and Lisa-Marie Burgoyne have also entered the Alice Springs council electoral race.

Nominations remain open and will be officially confirmed next month.

Originally published as Upcoming election heralds mass exodus of Alice Springs Town Council members