The National Aboriginal Art Gallery is one of the biggest investments into Alice Springs in decades and is a defining project for the future of the town. Now more than ever it is an essential project for Central Australia to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We intend to build this iconic Art Gallery at the ANZAC Hill precinct, which incorporates ANZAC Oval. The construction of the Art Gallery will open up the area for green space and community use.
In late 2018, we went through an extensive consultation process with the community and stakeholders, including Traditional Owners. We were confident then and we have been confident since, that we have majority support for the ANZAC Hill precinct site.
This week, we received a letter from Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation, which represents Arrernte people from the Mparntwe, Antulye and Irlpme estates. The letter states Lhere Artepe's support for the National Aboriginal Art Gallery to be situated at the ANZAC Hill precinct.
They mention the economic and social benefits this will bring to their people and to the town of Alice Springs, particularly as we recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Territory Labor Government has been committed from day one to invest in Alice Springs and in major game changing projects such as the National Aboriginal Art Gallery, which will benefit our town and our people.
We have not and will not waiver on this commitment.