By ERWIN CHLANDA The Territory’s $40 billon economy by 2030 “won’t happen without the growth of this sector” said NT Minister Mark Monaghan (at right), addressing more than 300 members of the extractive industry yesterday. The other target with the same deadline – 50% renewables – never crossed his lips when he opened AGES 2024, […] The post Beetaloo gas to ‘change NT forever’ first appeared on Alice Springs News ..read more

By ERWIN CHLANDA “Mobile phone connectivity is not included in Telstra’s Universal Service Obligation. That relates solely to landline services and payphones,” Telstra told us when we asked. So what? Well, here is the deal. Universal Service Obligation (USO) is best illustrated by a story involving Molly Clarke (at left), a feisty elderly lady who […] The post Telstra’s Universal Service Obligation doesn’t cover mobile phones first appeared on Alice Springs News ..read more

By ERWIN CHLANDA You’re a journalist in Alice Springs and you get a media handout from the Chief Minister, Eva Lawler (pictured), the supposed paragon of transparent government. The release doesn’t provide a phone number. You can get a list of minders but there is a brisk turnover of spin doctors and updated lists are […] The post Open government first appeared on Alice Springs News ..read more

By ERWIN CHLANDA The directors of Melanka Pty Ltd, which will “deliver” 174 multi-level dwellings in Todd Street, are Michael Sitzler, David Ross and Randle Walker. Mr Sitzler is a member of a builders dynasty that started in Alice Springs but moved to Darwin. Its recent Alice Springs projects are the Supreme Court and the […] The post Sitzler, Aboriginal interests in huge dwellings project first appeared on Alice Springs News ..read more

Buffel on the bank of the Todd. By ERWIN CHLANDA The Bradshaw Walk is one of The Centre’s small gems. Starting at the Overland Telegraph Station, five minutes from the CBD, the slim track winds its way south, along a low range of hills at right. On the opposite side, from elevated positions, walkers can […] The post Only biological control can eradicate buffel first appeared on Alice Springs News ..read more

By ERWIN CHLANDA Monetary compensation and self-government are major issues in the NT Treaty Commission’s final report which was given broad attention during a two day Indigenous convention in Alice Springs this week. Treaty Minister Chansey Paech, who addressed the convention on both days, made it clear he agreed with the recommendations in the June […] The post Treaty gets push at Alice conference first appeared on Alice Springs News ..read more

Marion Scrymgour, MP Member for Lingiari, bush campaigning in December 2022. Letter to the Editor Alice Springs residents are all guests of the holders of its native title, confirmed by the Federal Court on May 23, 2000. That applies not just to non-Aboriginal people but also to Aboriginal people whose country is somewhere else, and […] The post Youth crime: Continuing the status quo isn’t an option. first appeared on Alice Springs News ..read more

By ERWIN CHLANDA Bail laws covering young offenders should be tightened, according to local CLP Members urging the recalling of Parliament to deal with crime in Alice Springs. “We have seen time and time again a lot of young people being allowed out on bail. Breach of bail is currently not an offence. There are […] The post Tighten youth bail: CLP first appeared on Alice Springs News ..read more

Letter to the Editor We are calling for the NT and Commonwealth governments to urgently rethink their approach to recent crime in Alice Springs. A two-week curfew for children will not improve community safety nor address the drivers of contact with the justice system. Research clearly shows that curfews are ineffective in reducing crime, urging […] The post Curfews don’t reduce crime first appeared on Alice Springs News ..read more

Letter to the Editor The executive committee of the Central Land Council condemns Tuesday’s senseless and shameful behaviour. We call for the perpetrators to be held to account. It is never OK to frighten residents and damage their property. They have disrespected the native title holders of Mparntwe who have made it very clear how they […] The post CLC calls on young people to respect cultural leadership first appeared on Alice Springs News ..read more