ISSUE 1
Sunday 30 May 2021 9am-11am Council Lawns
MAY 2021
INSIDE THIS ISSUE... Pets on Parade – page 2
Meet the Councillors – page 3
What’s On – page 5
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Alice Springs Town Council
Contents... Council Meetings
1
Pets on Parade
2
Your Council
3
Council Update from Mayor Damien Ryan 3 Council News
4
What’s on in May
5
Arts in our Community
6
Waste & Recycling
7
Public Library
8
Aquatic & Leisure Centre
9
Council Services
10
Rangers Update
10
Contacts
11
Alice Springs Town Council acknowledges the Central Arrernte people who are the traditional owners and custodians of Alice Springs-Mparntwe. 1
Your Council Newsletter, upgraded Alice Springs Town Council works every day for the community of Alice Springs. For that reason, it’s important that Council communicates with community members in a genuine way, keeping the public up to date on a range of issues and events. Council are always looking at better ways to engage with the community and that’s why we are excited to launch a brand-new version of our Council Connects e-newsletter. Beginning with the May issue, Council Connects will be distributed on a monthly basis and will include all of Council’s most up to date and important information for ratepayers.
Instead of being emailed to your inbox, Council Connects will be published directly on Council’s website for you to read at your leisure. Hard copies will be available from Council’s facilities, including the Civic Centre front desk, Alice Springs Public Library, Regional Waste Mgmt. Facility, and the Alice Springs Aquatic and Leisure Centre. Stay informed about all of the interesting and exciting projects Council is working on, by keeping an eye out for our new format. Council Connects e-newsletter, will be available from www.alicesprings.nt.gov.au
Council Meetings... Commence 5.30pm, in the Council Chambers, Civic Centre, 93 Todd Street.
May meetings: • • • •
Tuesday, 11 May 2021 Tuesday, 25 May 2021
Council Connects May 2021
Pets on Parade 2021
PAMPERED pooches, terrific turtles and a whole host of other pets will be the centre of attention with the 2021 edition of Pets on Parade fast approaching. One of Alice Springs Town Council’s favourite events to put on for Red Centre residents, Pets on Parade gives locals the opportunity to dress up their beloved pets and show them off to the whole town. Residents are encouraged to enter their pets of all shapes and sizes into the event, which will consist of a parade and a costume competition with prizes, this year’s theme is Monsters v Aliens! ASTC’s Community Projects and Events Officer Kate Walsh is one of the event organisers, saying she can’t wait to see
the creativity of Alice Springs residents on show.
with raffles and rides so be sure to remember your gold coins!
“Pets on Parade is always one of our favourite events to put on for the public, and everyone really gets into the spirit of things making for a truly fun day,” she said.
The 2021 edition of Pets on Parade will begin at 9am sharp from the Council Chamber lawns on Sunday, 30 May. It is free to enter your pet and be sure to keep your pet safe and secure on a lead. Visit alicesprings.nt.gov.au for more info.
“This year is shaping up to be a really great event too, we can’t wait to see some of the costumes people come up with.” The event is aimed at promoting responsible pet ownership and will also raise much needed funds for the Alice Springs Animal Shelter
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Alice Springs Town Council
The next Citizenship Ceremony will be hosted on Territory Day, July 1. That’s a little way away yet but I’m already excited.
Your Council Mayor Damien Ryan 0428 825 392 dryan@astc.nt.gov.au Deputy Mayor Jacinta Price 0400 417 794 jprice@astc.nt.gov.au Councillor Glen Auricht 0438 598 892 grauricht@astc.nt.gov.au Councillor Marli Banks 0417 681 111 mbanks@astc.nt.gov.au Councillor Jimmy Cocking 0423 511 931 jcocking@astc.nt.gov.au Councillor Jamie de Brenni 0418 890 157 jdebrenni@astc.nt.gov.au Councillor Eli Melky 0427 012 699 emelky@astc.nt.gov.au Councillor Matt Paterson 0424 652 640 mpaterson@astc.nt.gov.au Councillor Catherine Satour 0423 566 920 csatour@astc.nt.gov.au
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Council Update from the Mayor The weather may be cooling down in the Red Centre, but that certainly doesn’t mean things are slowing down anytime soon. May continues to be a busy period at the Alice Springs Town Council, highlighted by some big and exciting events on our schedule. Perhaps the biggest, and one of the most exciting upcoming events in May is the annual Pets on Parade. Council Officers have been working hard to organise a fantastic event, and I can’t wait to head down on Sunday May 30 to see what fun costumes our residents come up with in line with this year’s theme, Monsters v Aliens. We’ve also hosted some major events across the past month, one being the Harmony Day Citizenship Ceremony. Citizenship Ceremonies are always among my favourite days of the year, getting to share in the joy or Australia’s newest residents. It gives all of us a chance to reflect on how lucky we are as Australians when we see the smiles on the faces of our new residents, beaming with pride.
Speaking of July 1, that also happens to mark the 50th anniversary of the Alice Springs Town Council. Gee that’s come around quick! For 50 years ASTC have been serving Central Australia and that certainly remains the case today. Behind the scenes, elected members have been hard at work on many projects including the budget for 2021/22. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our Elected Members for their dedication in this regard. It’s not always the most fun part of a Council’s job, but it is certainly one of our most important. Of course, there are so many other exciting things happening in Council as your elected members continue to serve the public. Just last month, Council were delighted to award $63,000 in community grants to local organisations. This money will go towards a range of different projects, helping make Alice Springs a fun and vibrant place for all. This just helps to show that Council has been, and continues to be committed to community events in Alice Springs. If you have an event you’d like to talk to us about, or just wanted to have a chat I’d love for you to get in contact with me. Thanks, Damien.
Council Connects May 2021
Council Operational News Alice Springs Town Council staff are always working to provide the best facilities and services to Red Centre residents. Here’s an update on some exciting projects that have recently been completed, and some that are ongoing.
Rotaract Dog Park Alice Springs Town Council proudly opened the Rotaract Park dog park this past month, the first of its kind in Alice Springs. The new dog park comes as a result of strong community consultation and feedback, becoming the first space in the municipality to allow dogs off the leash at all hours of the day. Mayor Damien Ryan was on hand to unveil the new park, saying he was pleased to open the park ready for the community to use. “This is a great example of Council listening to members of our community and acting accordingly,” Mayor Ryan said. “The Rotaract Dog Park is an exciting new facility for our town, giving dog owners flexibility to care for their fourlegged friends.” The new dog park consists of an area for large dogs and an area for smaller dogs with both available to pet owners through the entire day.
The Rotaract Dog Park project was funded through Council reserves with a total cost of $144,150 allocated to the project. The project was passed as a resolution through Council in November of 2019 with a range of consultation measures carried out in 2020.
Herbert Heritage Footpath Council is currently working in partnership with the NT Government to complete a footpath from the Stuart Highway to the Telegraph Station Historical Reserve. The footpath will improve pedestrian and cyclist safety. Council’s component of the footpath commences from the Stuart Highway and extends past the entry to Arunga Park.
Free Whitegoods Day
each month for all residents of Alice Springs. On the first Saturday of each month, beginning May 1, you will be able to bring your unwanted goods to the RWMF and drop it off while keeping your wallet in your pocket. Just make sure all goods are empty and clean before drop off and it’s limited to one item per household per day.
Expressions of Interest Parks Advisiory Committee Alice Springs Town Council invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) for four vacancies on its Parks Advisory Committee for representatives from the general community. EOIs to be submitted by 5pm, Friday 28 May 2021 to astc@astc.nt.gov.au
Ever wondered how to get rid of your old, unwanted whitegoods while avoiding paying a fee? Well, wonder no more.
Full details and the Committee’s Terms of Reference and EOI forms are available on Council’s website www.alicesprings.nt.gov.au
The Regional Waste Management Facility will now have a FREE whitegoods day
For further information contact Council’s Project Officer on 8950 0571. 4
Alice Springs Town Council
What’s on in May... SATURDAY 1-2 MAY
MONDAY 3 MAY
Alice Springs Cup Carnival
MAY DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY
For further details visit Council’s online Community Calendar
For more local events information, visit Council’s online Community Calendar
alicesprings.nt.gov.au
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SATURDAY 8 MAY
alicesprings.nt.gov.au
SUNDAY 9 MAY
THURSDAY 13 MAY
SATURDAY 15 MAY
THURSDAY 20 MAY
WEDNESDAY 26 MAY
SUNDAY 30 MAY
Community Arts
Council Connects May 2021
Alice Springs residents now have the opportunity to take in some of Central Australia’s finest artwork right in the CBD. Alice Springs Town Council is proud to have opened its Pop-Up Gallery – ‘Life in the Centre’ right in the Todd Mall. This gallery concentrates on artworks owned by Council within the Araluen Arts Collection with a focus on life in Central Australia. The artworks have been collated from the Araluen Art Collection with work from artists such as Albert Namatjira and Rex Battarbee on display. The Pop-Up Gallery will be open until June 17 at 79B Todd Mall. Gallery hours are: 10am-2pm Tuesday to Friday, 10am-1pm Saturdays.
Youth News
The Youth Climate Crew are continuing their delivery of workshops, teaching skills and knowledge in environmentalism and climate action for youth. Two workshops will take place in May, with the first focusing on Creative Vegetable Gardening. Hosted at the Community Garden on Burke St, Arid Edge will give young people the opportunity to learn about creative vegetable gardening, companion planning, crop rotation, pets, weeds, making your own pesticides, and propagation. Then on Saturday May 22 from 1-4pm, Arid Edge will facilitate a workshop at the Rediscovery Centre focusing on teaching young people how to build a wicking bed out of recycled materials found at the recycling centre. Two more workshops will take place in June. If you complete all four, you will even receive a training certificate!
Multicultural News
Alice Springs is a fun and culturally rich town, and we here at Council think that’s worth celebrating. That’s why, on Saturday May 8, we’ll be doing exactly that with our Big Day Out in Harmony! Recognising the many different cultures that make Alice Springs a wonderful place, the Big Day Out in Harmony will celebrate our town’s diversity through music, dancing, food and plenty of activities. The free event will be held on the Alice Springs Town Council lawns from 12-4.30pm on Saturday May 8 with fun for the whole family on offer. For full details visit Council’s event calendar at alicesprings.nt.gov.au 6
Alice Springs Town Council
Aerial shot of the landfill, Oliver Eclipse
Are you watching your waste?
Council is making it even easier for residents to recycle with clear new signage at the RWMF Transfer Station
The Rediscovery Centre is open 7 days*
Weekdays, 8am-4pm Weekends, 9.30am-2.30pm
* The RWMF & Rediscovery Centre close only for Good Friday, Christmas Day, & New Year’s Day
The RWMF Transfer Station has clearly marked large bins and cages for the separation of recyclable drop-off items. There are also general waste bins for non‑recyclable items, such as some plastics. Before dropping off recycling, please ensure all items are rinsed and with any lids removed. 7
• ALL GLASS – jars & bottles, lids removed (blue sign) • Aluminium cans (purple sign) • 10c containers – lids removed (yellow sign) • HDPE 2 plastics – lids removed (orange sign) • Steel cans (STEEL bin) • Greenwaste
• • • • • • • •
E-waste Cardboard Timber Steel materials Bike parts Mattresses Palms Demolition
FREE DROP-OFF for whitegoods on the first Saturday of every month!
Baby Rhymetime
Council Connects May 2021
Looking for a fun and engaging way of stimulating your newborn while interacting with other new parents or guardians? Look no further than the Alice Springs Public Library’s Baby Rhyme Time program! Run every Friday morning from 10.15-10.45am, Baby Rhyme Time is an interactive session is designed to support preliteracy education in a fun and social way. Run by one of the Alice Springs Public Library’s brilliant team, parents and guardians work their way through a booklet of songs while babies play and develop a love of language. Book a spot for you and your bub at the next Baby Rhyme Time through eventbrite.com.au today!
Heritage Festival Night In conjunction with the NT Heritage Festival, the Alice Springs Public Library’s special collections team will host a heritage trivia night on Thursday May 20.
With a strong theme of Central Australian history, the trivia night will test your knowledge on everything Red Centre. The night will be held at the Jump Inn from 6.30-9pm with friends and families encouraged to book their spots ahead of time. Capacity is limited to 80 people. Make sure you “Jump Inn” and book your spot today for a night of heritage trivia fun!!!! Tickets available from eventbrite.com.au
BorrowBox Library
Did you know that your Alice Springs Public Library membership entitles you free access to a wide range of items, including our FREE eLibrary? That’s right, you can borrow up to eight eBooks and eight audiobooks from our extensive eLibrary known as BorrowBox! To get started borrowing from the comfort of your lounge room, download the BorrowBox app on your phone today or visit alicesprings.nt.gov.au for more info. If you’re having trouble logging in, make sure to contact our brilliant team at the Library on 8950 0555. The friendly staff can guide you step by step so you can jump right into a new book! 8
Alice Springs Town Council
Winter is coming...
So take your swimming routine indoors where it’s nice & warm! Aquatic & Leisure Centre’s Winter Hours – 1 May - 30 August 2021 The boilers are on and the 50m pool is heating up! The average daily water temperature is sitting around 28 degrees, and the indoor centre is sitting at a lovely 30 degrees. The toddler and leisure pools are great for exercising, recreation and learning to swim with a tropical feel of 32-33 degrees. The Aquatic & Leisure Centre’s Winter Hours start Saturday 1 May 2021 and will be in place until 30 August 2021.
ASALC Winter Hours Weekdays (MON-FRI)
6am- 6.30pm
Weekends (SAT-SUN, & Public Holidays)
9am - 3pm Water Slides operating 1pm-4pm
Learn to Swim and Sports Vouchers Are your Learn to Swim or Sports vouchers about to expire? Remember you can send these to info@asalc.com.au and the credit will remain on your account for next term. 9
Learn to Swim Term 2 Learn to Swim is now well under way, please remember that no lessons will be held on public holidays. Thank you for your patience as we work through our issues with the online booking portal. A number of families were successful in booking their lessons online for term 2 and our aim is for all families to be able to do so for term 3. If you were unable to use the portal we would encourage you to email our team at info@asalc.com.au now to identify the issue in preparation for future enrolments. Term 2 vacancies are still availabe book online at www.aslac.com.au under ‘Swimming Lessons’, or contact the Centre on 8950 4360 if you have any further questions.
Learn to Swim Intensives July Learn to Swim Intensives will be held from 5-9 July & 12-16 July 2021. Enrolments will open from 21 June, keep an eye on our Facebook page @AliceAquatic for more info coming soon.
Become an ASALC member Did you know we offer a variety of flexible and affordable membership options? Choose from a 10-visit pass, 3 month up-front, 12 month up-front or a fortnightly direct debit option. Membership includes aqua exercise classes, 10% discount on swimwear and accessories from the ASALC swim shop and allows you to skip the que on entry! Visit asalc.com.au to download a membership application form today! Sign up for an ASALC membership today!
Council Connects May 2021
Walkin’ the Dog!
Rotaract Park recently re-opened as a designated dog-exercise space where your beloved canine – large or small – can run freely, and safely, off the lead.
Walkin’ the Dog Council’s Rangers would like to remind the dog walking public that in all public areas, dogs must remain under effective control at all times in the allocated areas provided by ASTC. Any dog deemed by Rangers to be not under the control of its owner in these allocated areas may be required to be put onleash. If you are exercising your animal in public other than the leash free zones, your animal must remain on the lead. ASTC has
implemented this regulation to keep pets and the public safe and comfortable when out and about. There are many areas around Alice Springs where dog owners are encouraged to exercise their pooches off-leash, including the newly opened Rotaract Park Dog Park.
exercised on Council sporting grounds between 5am and 8am. Most of these facilities also supply ‘doggy do’ bags and bins for owners to pick up after their pets. Dog offleash parks and times can be found here: alicesprings.nt.gov.au
In an exciting first for Alice Springs, Rotaract Park has been redesignated as a 24-hour dog park with pets able to be off leash at all times of the day. Excluding Anzac Oval and TIO Traeger Park, dogs may be
Pensioners! FREE Pruning Service by Council Council’s Pensioner Pruning Removal Service is a free green waste collection which occurs twice a year, once in May and again in November. Council staff will remove garden waste and pruning’s from your property. Aged Pensioners who would like to use this service should visit alicesprings.nt.gov.au, complete an application form and lodge it at the Civic Centre by 4.30pm Friday, 21 May. 10
Alice Springs Town Council
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Alice Springs Town Council ABN 45 863 481 471
Civic Centre & Administration 93 Todd Street, Alice Springs PO Box 1071 NT 0870 (08) 8950 0500 astc@astc.nt.gov.au Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm (ex. Public Holidays) Alice Springs Aquatic & Leisure Centre 10 Speed St, Alice Springs (08) 8950 4360 info@asalc.com.au | asalc.com.au Monday to Friday, 6am – 7pm Weekends & Public Holidays, 9am – 7pm Alice Springs Public Library cnr Gregory & Leichhardt Tces, Alice Springs (08) 8950 0555 library@astc.nt.gov.au alicesprings.nt.gov.au/library Monday to Friday, 10am – 6pm Weekends, 10am – 1pm (ex. Public Holidays)
Regional Waste Management Facility Commonage Rd, Alice Springs (08) 8950 4340 astc@astc.nt.gov.au Open 7 days, 8am – 4pm (ex. Good Friday, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day) Rediscovery Centre Commonage Rd, Alice Springs (08) 8950 4340 astc@astc.nt.gov.au Monday to Friday, 8am – 4pm Weekends, 9.30am – 2.30pm (ex. Good Friday, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day) Council Works Depot Wilkinson St, Alice Springs (08) 8950 4300 astc@astc.nt.gov.au Monday to Friday, 7am – 3.30pm Alice Springs Animal Shelter Len Kittle Dr, Alice Springs (08) 8953 4430
alicesprings.nt.gov.au 11
