Latest news with #AliceSpringsTownCouncil
ABC News
a day ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Greens council hopefuls push to ban Pine Gap from Alice Springs community events
A Greens-backed candidate for the Alice Springs Town Council is calling for an independent audit into the council's ties to Israel. Aia Newport is one of 25 candidates vying for one of the eight seats at the 2025 local government election and is hoping to make the Alice Springs Town Council as "progressive and revolutionary" as possible. Mx Newport said at a recent protest at the Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap that the council must pressure the federal government to sanction Israel. "[And] to demonstrate leadership by boycotting products with ties to Israel at all." Mx Newport said Pine Gap employees should not be welcome at community events. "Pressuring local events to ban them from being involved in events like the Henley-on-Todd [Regatta]," they said. Mx Newport declined to be interviewed about the comments but provided a statement further explaining their perspective. "I don't seek to exclude individuals from participating in our community, rather the institution of Pine Gap, the US military and its official representatives are requested not to use our community events as promotional platforms and a public relations exercise," the statement read. Pine Gap, located in a secluded valley 18 kilometres south of Alice Springs, was set up by the CIA It began operating in 1970 in response to the Cold War. Asta Hill, a Greens-endorsed candidate for the mayoral and council election, said it was courageous for Mx Newport to "speak out at a time when a genocide is occurring and to stand really strong in their core values, which are Greens values". Ms Hill reiterated she was not speaking on behalf of Mx Newport. Ms Hill said it was important to have mature conversations about potential "harms" that "are being perpetuated at that facility". Ms Hill said she would not be bringing Pine Gap as official business to the council if successful this Saturday. "I have a number of very immediate priorities that I will bring if elected as mayor and councillor, things that we can get cracking on straight away," she said. "Unfortunately, Pine Gap isn't one of them." However, Ms Hill does support Mx Newport's position on Pine Gaps presence at public events. "I stand by strongly … that [community events are] not a space for recruitment, advertising or the gathering of social licence," she said. Ms Hill said Pine Gap was "shrouded in secrecy on Arrernte land." "We don't know exactly what role it is playing, particularly in respect of the genocide in Gaza right now," she said. The Israeli government has been facing genocide allegations brought by South Africa in the International Court of Justice, but strongly denied its actions in Gaza were genocidal. Local government elections are being held in 16 councils across the Northern Territory, with election-day voting on Saturday. The Department of Defence has been contacted for a comment.
ABC News
15-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
Alice Springs roundabout's desert blooms razed to dirt and weeds
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.
