Alice Springs roundabout's desert blooms razed to dirt and weeds

Australia Broadcast Center

15-05-2025

An Alice Springs roundabout renowned for its beautiful desert blooms has been destroyed by workers contracted by the local council.
Alice Springs horticulturalist Geoff Miers and his wife, Kay, have dedicated more than two decades to the small patch of dirt at the Undoolya Road and Lindsay Avenue intersection.
"Kay and I had spent four hours on the weekend and we completely weeded half of that roundabout," Mr Miers said.
"There were probably 300 to 500 desert peas in half of [the area and were] up to 10 plus centimetres high."
He said maintaining the roundabout was just one of the things he did to try to improve the appearance of the town.
Mr Miers said his horticulture students had planted the roundabout 22 years ago.
"About a dozen students of mine from Charles Darwin University and I cleaned it out," he said.
"We put in the soil, we put in the the right material on top of the sands and screened laterite.
"We put in some irrigation and planted it."
Mr Miers said Alice Springs Town Council work teams had whipper-snipped the desert peas, leaving the site barren.
Mr Miers said he was too angry to find out the reason behind the slashing.
"It's compounded by the fact that for two years unbeknownst to me or to anybody, they removed the water meter from that roundabout," he said.
"I have repeatedly asked the head of the works department at the depot.
"I've asked the CEO on two occasions to please put the water meter back on."
Mr Miers said it was essential to water the area six times a year to keep it in top condition.
"That roundabout — when it's in flower it gets national and international coverage," he said.
Mr Miers said he had a verbal agreement after a similar incident about 15 years ago.
"At that stage I spoke to whoever I had to speak to," he said.
"I said, 'Stay away from that roundabout. Do not touch it. I will be responsible for it'," he said.
Alice Springs Town Council has declined to comment.
Independent member for Araluen, Robyn Lambley, said the council and Territory government needed to "do better".
"It's unbelievable," she said.
"There is no leadership and the Alice Springs Town Council is rudderless.
"They are selling off parks and mowing up gardens."
Member for Braitling Josh Burgoyne, who is also the Minister for Lands, Planning and the Environment, said it was disappointing to hear about the incident.
He said Mr Miers had been helping him cultivate desert peas on the roundabout in front of his office in town.
"I have greatly appreciated his expertise in trying to emulate his wonderful community work that brings colour and life to our red centre," he said.