Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

Visitor accommodation park planned for Alice Springs

Joint Media Release with:

  • The Hon Karl Hampton MLA, NT Minister for Central Australia
    The Hon Warren Snowdon MP, Minister for Indigenous Health and Member for Lingiari

Aboriginal visitors to Alice Springs will have a safe place to stay following the establishment of a new, secure accommodation facility as part of the $150 million Alice Springs Transformation Plan.

The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, the Northern Territory Minister for Central Australia, Karl Hampton, and the Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon, today announced that the Len Kittle Drive site has been selected to provide much needed short-term visitor accommodation.

“When visitors come to town the lack of short-term accommodation means there is even more pressure on public housing and the already overcrowded town camps,” Ms Macklin said

“To reduce overcrowding, the site will be refurbished and re-opened as the Alice Springs Accommodation Park to provide drug and alcohol free accommodation for families, children and older people.”

The Alice Springs Accommodation Park will have the capacity to accommodate up to 150 visitors.

Mr Hampton said the Territory Government was committed to boosting the economy, supporting jobs for Territorians and improving the social housing stock.

“The Alice Springs Transformation Plan has carefully considered a number of options and this site has been identified as the one that can be progressed quickly to cater to the needs of Aboriginal people and visitors requiring accommodation,” Mr Hampton said.

“Site and design plans are near completion for an integrated accommodation facility that offers visitors affordable choices of accommodation style from permanent cabins to camping in a secure and managed environment.

“Security will be a strong focus, with CCTV cameras placed in and around the facility, along with regular security patrols. The facility will have robust fencing, and controlled access through a single point of entry.”

Mr Snowdon said the Alice Springs Accommodation Park will also provide Indigenous people with safe, secure accommodation while they are visiting town for medical treatment and other services.

“The park will be supported by regular public transport services to make it easier for people to get to medical treatment and appointments,” Mr Snowdon said.

Other projects to ease accommodation shortages in Alice Springs are starting shortly for completion by early 2011, as part of the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan.

  • The construction of a new 28 unit facility for managed transitional accommodation at Percy Court;
  • The re-opening of The Lodge in Alice Springs Central Business District, following refurbishment to provide 35 rooms for people needing renal treatment.
  • Eight managed accommodation beds will be added to the existing Salvation Army facility on the east side of Alice Springs.