St Mary’s Hostel sits neglected months after $3.25 mil government acquisition, sparking fire fears

A fire danger period being declared hasn’t spurred the government into action over a site it acquired for more than $3 million – leading to fears an important piece of NT heritage could be reduced to ash.

Gera Kazakov

@gera_kazakov

2 min read

October 14, 2024 - 5:44PM

Alice Springs local historian Alex Nelson next to St Mary's chapel, which houses the heritage listed Robert Czako mural. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Concerns are growing a heritage listed mural in the Red Centre could be reduced to ash as the block of land it’s housed on sits neglected – only months after the Northern Territory government paid more than $3 million for the site.

With a fire danger period declared for Central Australia until December 2, St Mary’s Hostel, located south of Alice Springs on the Stuart Hwy, is rife with overgrown weeds, rubbish, and boarded up windows, prompting local historian Alex Nelson to call on the government to take action.

“While it’s in a phase like this, there just should be better maintenance of the ground to ensure that it’s not a hazard,” he said.

St Mary's Complex, Alice Springs. Picture: Gera Kazakov

From 1947 to 1972, St Mary’s was a boarding school for Aboriginal children – kids who later become known as the Stolen Generation.

On February 27 this year, the Territory government announced it had purchased the site for $3.25 million, with the intention to “develop social and affordable housing”.

A statement of intent between the then Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities and the Anglican Diocese of the Northern Territory – the previous owners of the site – said the government was “committed to providing reasonable access to the chapel, by negotiation, for the purposes of healing and cultural, religious and community events”.

In the St Mary’s chapel is a mural by Hungarian artist Robert Czako, painted in 1958, heritage-listed in 2014.

Robert Czako’s heritage listed mural in St Mary’s Chapel.

When this masthead visited the site, the chapel was locked, some windows boarded up, and a mass of weeds and overgrown plants blocked entry on the path.

Numerous other buildings on the site were in a similar state – boarded up, surrounded by overgrown weeds, with some condemned due to asbestos inside.

To Mr Nelson, the dead overgrown grass and foliage throughout the site is an increasing fire hazard which could “erupt”.

Alice Springs local historian Alex Nelson. Picture: Gera Kazakov

“People underestimate the flammability of grass around here,” he said.

The Anglican Diocese of the Northern Territory directed queries to the government’s February announcement.

Responding to questions on when fire mitigation works were carried out at the site, a Department of Housing, Local Government and Community Development spokesman said planning was underway to “redevelop the site for the construction of social and affordable housing”.

“The Northern Territory Government recognises the deep connection and history of St Mary’s to the survivors of the Stolen Generation and are committed to working with them to respect and preserve the history of the site,” they said.

Overgrown grass surrounds the empty buildings in the St Mary's Hostel complex, Alice Springs. Picture: Gera Kazakov

“While the Northern Territory Government is planning to redevelop the site for the construction of social and affordable housing, the historical and heritage value of St Mary’s Hostel is being preserved in collaboration with the Anglican Church and the St Mary’s Stolen Generation Group. This includes the preservation of the 1958 mural by Hungarian artist Robert Czakó.

“Redeveloping the site will help the Northern Territory achieve the Australian Government’s National Housing Accord targets and provide much needed social and affordable housing in Alice Springs.”

On Monday, Department of Housing, Local Government and Community Development chief executive Luccio Cercarelli said: “Over the weekend, local Aboriginal business, Totally Tidy, began work to maintain the grounds. They’ll continue to carry out periodic maintenance to maintain the site.”