As part of the Alice Springs Transformation Plan the town will receive $4.1 million in funding from the Federal Government.
The package includes funding for extra street lighting in problem areas, as well as more support for young people and families.
The Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin said the safety and security of children and families continues to be our primary focus in Alice Springs.
“We are funding a $1.35 million expansion and transformation of the Gap Youth Centre, so that it becomes a Community and Youth Centre, providing extra services to a wider section of the community,” she said.
“During the day, the Centre will connect parents and young children with parenting, education and early childhood programs, as well as access and referrals to family support programs.
Youth activities will be expanded in the evening and links to organised sport will be developed.
The Northern Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson said the range of measures being put in place would help to tackle some of the complex social issues in Alice Springs.
“The Alice Springs Town Council will receive $340,000 funding for additional lighting, which will be installed in a number of problem areas in the town,” he said.
“This will help to reduce crime and tackle the issues of anti-social behaviour and drinking in the area.”
Minister for Central Australia Karl Hampton said extra temporary lighting will be installed in other identified hotspots, such as the lawns opposite the
Royal Flying Doctor Service.
“As well as the RFDS lawns, we will be providing temporary lighting structures at the Melanka’s site, the vacant block adjacent to KFC and the riverbank carpark between Gregory and Stott Tce.
“The temporary lights will be in place until the Alice Springs Town Council works through processes to get permanent lighting installed in some of these hotspots.
“We are also continuing negotiations with the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority about appropriate protection being put in place at Billygoat Hill.”
Other initiatives includes; $1.28 million for a Housing Support program; and $1.2 million for an additional 100 CDEP places in Alice Springs.
Mr Hampton said the Housing Support program would help people in the town camps to make the transition into public housing.
“It will focus on helping people to make the transition into public housing, as well as offering family mediation, alcohol and other drugs counseling, and links to education and employment opportunities,” he said.
The Alice Springs Transformation Plan was a joint initiative from the Australian and Northern Territory Governments.
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