The Northern Territory government is in the final stage of acquiring land in Alice Springs on which the National Aboriginal Art Gallery will be built.
This is part of a $150 million (US$111 million) precinct, which, with the gallery as its centrepiece, is expected to strengthen the NT’s position as the preferred national destination for Aboriginal cultural experiences, attracting an extra 53,000 visitors to Alice Springs each year and creating hundreds of jobs.
Minister for Central Australia Reconstruction, Chansey Paech, said the gallery will be a place to “recognise, celebrate, to share in the creative expressions that First Nations people make and to recognise the valuable contribution Aboriginal people make to this great country of ours.”
“The National Aboriginal Art Gallery will be a world-class facility that will attract national and international visitors to Alice Springs, providing wide-ranging social benefits and opportunities for local jobs and economic growth. It is a linchpin in our plan towards revitalising the CBD,” he said.
Of the $150 million, the NT Government have committed $50 million (US$37 million), while the remaining $100 million (US$74 million) is expected to come from the federal government and Opposition, now that acquisition of the land is being finalised. Failing that, the NT Government will provide the funding in stages.
Integrated into the grounds of the National Aboriginal Art Gallery will be the Kwatye Water Play, a water splash play area designed to seamlessly blend into the landscaping and form part of the grand entrance to the Gallery precinct.
The precinct will also provide a new home for Tourism Central Australia and the Visitor Information Centre, which will be built on the site of the old Shell Depot and establish a central point for tourists only a short distance from the gallery.
Tourism Central Australia CEO Danial Rochford told The Epoch Times he’s looking forward to moving into the new premises, mainly because of the size of the new car park, which will cater for caravans, RVs, and the travelling public in general.
The current premises, located in the Todd Mall, has limited parking and none for large vehicles like caravans and RVs.
“This will be a real game-changer in allowing visitors ease of access to this new information centre,” Rochford said.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Natasha Fyles said this exciting new precinct would leverage Alice Springs as the inland capital of Australia.
“Alice Springs is a must-do destination and already has so much to offer for tourists, and investing in this new precinct will give many more another reason to visit the Territory, which will have positive flow-on benefits for local businesses,” she said.
Construction of the National Aboriginal Art Gallery precinct is expected to commence in 2023 and be completed during 2025.
