Twelfth Council 2012 – 2017
Following General Council Elections in March, the 12th Alice Springs Town Council was sworn in at an official ceremony in the Council Chamber on Monday 16 April 2012, with the Minister for Local Government, the Hon. Malarndirri McCarthy, MLA officiating.
With the incoming Council, new titles for Elected Members were introduced, changing from Aldermen to Councillor.
Elected Members
- Mayor Damien Ryan
- Councillor Geoffrey Booth
- Councillor Steve Brown
- Councillor Dave Douglas
- Councillor Brendan Heenan
- Councillor Jade Kudrenko
- Councillor Liz Martin
- Councillor Eli Melky
- Councillor Chansey Paech
Changes within Council
- Councillor Brendan Heenan elected Deputy Mayor, April 2012
- Councillor Geoffrey Booth resigned from Alice Springs Town Council, September 2013
- Councillor Kylie Bonanni elected Deputy Mayor, March 2014
- Councillor Kylie Bonanni resigned from Alice Springs Town Council, July 2015
- Councillor Steve Brown elected Deputy Mayor, July 2015
- Councillor Liz Martin resigned from Alice Springs Town Council, September 2015
- Councillor Jamie de Brenni elected to Council after a by-election, October 2015
- Councillor Jacinta Price elected to Council after a by-election, October 2015
- Councillor Chansey Paech resigned from Alice Springs Town Council, August 2016
- Councillor Jamie de Brenni elected Deputy Mayor, March 2016 and re-elected in 2017
Achievements – 2012 – 13
- Stage 1 of the CBD Revitalisation Project commenced with works in the Todd Mall (northern end) to install brick seating and ‘moth’ shade structures
- In partnership with Tourism NT, free Wi-Fi was launched in the Todd Mall
- Alice Solar City project concluded in June 2013, having firmly established Alice Springs as a nationally and internationally recognised Solar City
- The Alice Water Smart project successfully raised awareness about the importance of preserving the region’s finite water resources
- Commencement of Regional Waste Management Facility’s landfill redevelopment and expansion of recycling facilities
Achievements – 2013 – 14
- Council-managed sporting venues hosted high calibre sporting events, such as the international Chairman’s XI vs England Cricket Team, AFL Premiership and Indigenous Round matches, a pre-season Rugby League match and a Women’s National Basketball League game
- In February 2014, works were completed at the Regional Waste Management Facility utilising an Australian Government’s Regional Development Australia grant of $3.5millon, a Northern Territory Government grant of $775,000 plus a further $725,000 investment by Council. Works included:
- A waste transfer station to sort waste prior to entering the landfill
- Rediscovery Centre established for retail sales of reclaimed and recycled goods
- New weighbridge, security gates and a chemical and hazardous waste area.
- Completion of Stage 1 of the $5M CBD Revitalisation Project including major works to the Todd Mall (north end and Parsons Street), funded by the Northern Territory Government.
- Expansion of the Braitling Neighbourhood Centre in partnership with the Australian Government’s Child Care Services Support Program.
- Council installed fibre optic data cables between its sites improving efficiency of communications and information sharing between Council units.
- Council continued supporting the Correctional Services’ Community Support Program, delivering essential services such as litter collection, verge and grass cutting, events support, etc. to Alice Springs ratepayers.
Achievements – 2014 – 15
- Creation of an Australian Armed Forces Commemorative Walk marking all major engagements, on the Anzac Hill ascent, for the 100th Anniversary of Anzac Day.
- Council initiated the development of pop-up shops in the Todd Mall during the Desert Festival.
- Council commissioned the Perentie sculpture by artist Dan Murphy, installed at the intersection of Undoolya Road and Sturt Terrace, March 2015.
- Over 200 trees were planted on National Tree Planting Day.
- Remodelling and sealing of the Flynn Drive carpark, plus upgrades to the ablution block.
- New bicycle path installed along Spearwood Road, linking to the bicycle path network.
- Modification of the Gregory and Railway Terraces intersection to improve traffic safety.
- Upgrading of disabled ramps around the CBD
- Installation of solar power generators at the Alice Springs Aquatic & Leisure Centre and the Regional Waste Management Facility.
- Establishment of tree and turf farms to create a sustainable supply for the municipality’s many parks and gardens.
Achievements – 2015 – 16
- Stage 2 Ilparpa road-widening project commenced, as part of the Roads to Recovery Program, to improve traffic safety in the area
- Upgrade to the Albrecht Oval carpark, May 2016
- Construction commenced on the Garden Cemetery Chapel, May 2016
- Construction of a new 5‑bay storage facility for sporting equipment at Jim McConville Oval
- Council’s Depot Crew responded to clear significant damage around the township caused by a hail storm and flash flooding on 17 June 2016. Recording 156% above average for the month, most rainfall was attributed to this single storm event
- Photovoltaic solar panels installed at Council’s Rediscovery Centre and Civic Centre carpark
- Installation of a new paper baler at the RWMF
- Development of Council’s Arts and Cultural Policy and five-year Arts and Cultural Plan
- Development of Council’s Public Art Master Plan
Achievements – 2016 – 2017
- Completion of the $6.5M indoor Alice Springs Netball Stadium in February 2017, utilising grant funding received from the NTG and NT Link, including $1.5M investment by Council
- An inclusive, all-faith Alice Springs Garden Cemetery Chapel was completed and opened in May 2017
- The $2.2M Stage 2 Ilparpa road-widening project continued, as part of the Roads to Recovery Program, to improve traffic safety in the area
- Photovoltaic solar panels installed at Council’s Civic Centre and Public Library and Civic Centre carpark, to complement installations at the Alice Springs Aquatic & Leisure Centre, Regional Waste Management Facility and the Depot, bringing Council’s total solar energy capacity to over 575kW.