Work begins on town camps

The Australian and Northern Territory Governments today welcomed the start of work on the transformation of the Alice Springs town camps.

Prisoner work gangs have already started outside Hoppy’s Camp and workers from Ingkerreke are on the ground at Little Sisters as part of a major clean up and ‘fix and make safe’ program under the $150 million Alice Springs Transformation Plan.

The delivery of skip bins and the inspection of sewers also commenced today in Little Sisters.

Ms Macklin said the clean up will pave the way for the construction of 85 new houses, essential infrastructure and significant rebuilds and refurbishments of existing houses in poor condition.

‘We are committed to providing better homes for the people of the Alice Springs town camps, in particular for the children, women and the elderly living in shocking conditions,’ Ms Macklin said.

The Northern Territory Minister for Central Australia, Karl Hampton, said the Australian and Northern Territory Governments were getting on with the job of improving living conditions in town camps which will benefit not only residents but the entire community in Alice Springs.

‘Homelessness will be targeted as part of the transformation plan, with more accommodation facilities, including managed accommodation to be delivered in Alice Springs,’ Mr Hampton said.

The Member for Lingiari Warren Snowdon welcomed the start of the clean up.

‘It’s pleasing that the Alice Springs town camps, which have been under-resourced for so long, are finally being provided with housing and other infrastructure that will help provide a safe, clean and healthy living environment,’ Mr Snowdon said.

Territory Alliance is coordinating the clean up, with workers being contracted to conduct the clean up and the ‘fix and make safe’ program.