The Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network (NTIBN) is apolitical.
We care about economic development in the Territory and put impact over politics.
The NTIBN strongly opposes the new CLP Government’s decision to pause and revisit the site of the iconic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Art Islander Gallery of Australia (ATSIAGA) project. In their media release of 12 September 2024, the new Government announced “We will do the National Aboriginal Art Gallery right” – but they are wrong.
Elected on a commitment of economic progress and action, this decision is in direct contravention to election promises to Territorians. Having already taken 8 years to progress this project to the stage of ‘turning dirt’, this is a halt to the ‘circuit breaker’, so badly needed by Mparntwe (Alice Springs).
The timing of this careless announcement and action, has cost the enabling works Aboriginal contractor over $100,000 and left a group of trained and ready young Aboriginal people living in Mpartnwe, jobless and idle.
The ATSIAGA project holds significant national importance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the tourism sector in the Territory. This project, which is the largest capital spend in the township by the NTG in a generation, was to be a driver of tourism revitalisation and economic development in the region.
The NTIBN knows that Traditional Owners did not want the ATSIAG to be on ANZAC Oval site. We supported this position at the time, because we back our people. However, we accepted that a decision was made and progress on the project occurred. We are too far down the track and have expended too much of Territory Taxpayer monies to go backwards now.
This decision is not just a decision that jeopardises the livelihoods of Aboriginal people, it also effects non-Aboriginal Territorians and enterprises who have been planning, training and mobilising for this critical project.
Territory and Alice Springs borne, Sitzler Pty Ltd, has been left holding the can full of promises to the NT’s Central Australian and NT Aboriginal Business Construction sector, with little notice and visibility on the future of the project. It is ridiculous to think that a pause and reconsideration of site, is a small and un-impactful decision. Changing the site at this point in time, would cost millions, and take another 12-24 months to re-invigorate, making this political stunt, an extremely costly ‘pet project’. We understand that the design of this project on this site, has cost at least $32.5M, with Sitzler investing more than $2.5M in project costs to date.
Given the handover of the site from Alice Springs Town Council to the NTG, and full deactivation and stripping of the site, the NTIBN understands that:
- It will cost the NTG at least $400,000 to reestablish the ANZAC Oval site and clubhouse;
- The grass on ANZAC oval will be dead within the month, due to non-maintenance in preparation for the demolition; and
- All risk and liability, including insurances sitting with the NTG will constitute significant risk to the Territory Taxpayer.
NTIBN Big Boss, Naomi Anstess said “We extend an invitation to the Chief Minister and her government to engage in constructive dialogue aimed at accelerating economic development in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) and creating sustainable employment opportunities for Aboriginal people. It is critical for this new government to listen to industry. We are ready and able to help progress a positive future for the region. Delaying this vital national project goes against the CLP mandate, of progress and action.”
NTIBN says: JOBS, NOT JAILS!
For more information, please contact:
Naomi Anstess
Big Boss
[email protected] | 1300 192 164