Mr ELFERINK - 1998-10-08
The federal government recently allocated $2.3m towards developing the Alice Springs cultural precinct. The Territory government has also committed funding for the precinct. Would the minister please inform the House of what plans are in place for the development of Araluen?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, as members would be aware, the Northern Territory government has, in the last budget, allocated $1m towards developing the Araluen Centre, to create the Alice Springs cultural precinct. Last week in Alice Springs, the Deputy Prime Minister, Tim Fischer, made an announcement that $2.3m will be provided through the federation cultural heritage program. That funding will enable us to fast track the precinct project, and it will create a world-class facility for arts and cultural activity in the Red Centre. Obviously, that $3.3m is going to create building activity and jobs in the area and activity for the construction industry, which obviously will be welcomed as ongoing work in Alice Springs.
With that additional funding, Araluen will be extended and upgraded to accommodate not only appropriate storage and display space, but also an area for a major Aboriginal art collection in Alice Springs. There will be a new national exhibition gallery and study centre. It will be dedicated to the display of works of the Batterbee collection, works by Albert Namatjira and also the Papunya collection. That will free up other areas of Araluen which will enable the display of Araluen-specific collections such as the Alice Springs Town Council collection and the Crafts Council collection. At the present time, as you would be aware, Madam Speaker, the restrictions of space restrict the ability to display those collections.
Those changes will certainly provide a great benefit, not only to Alice Springs citizens but also to tourists who are visiting Alice Springs. It will provide access to a world-class art collection and gallery. I think it is worthwhile repeating here that the government is committed to relocating the Central Australian Museum to the Strehlow Centre building in the cultural precinct. I think members would know the present lease for the Central Australian Museum expires at the end of 1998. The move will enable that whole central precinct area to include arts, performing arts, visual arts, the Strehlow Foundation and also the Museum and Art Gallery, and provide a great boost to arts and culture in the centre of Australia.
I take the opportunity to congratulate the Friends of Araluen who worked very closely with the Department of Arts and Museums to secure that federation funding, and also the federal government deserve thanking for their commitment to the Territory. I look forward to this improved facility, this precinct, playing a very important part in Alice Springs’s growth and also its maturity in terms of an arts and cultural centre in Australia.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, as members would be aware, the Northern Territory government has, in the last budget, allocated $1m towards developing the Araluen Centre, to create the Alice Springs cultural precinct. Last week in Alice Springs, the Deputy Prime Minister, Tim Fischer, made an announcement that $2.3m will be provided through the federation cultural heritage program. That funding will enable us to fast track the precinct project, and it will create a world-class facility for arts and cultural activity in the Red Centre. Obviously, that $3.3m is going to create building activity and jobs in the area and activity for the construction industry, which obviously will be welcomed as ongoing work in Alice Springs.
With that additional funding, Araluen will be extended and upgraded to accommodate not only appropriate storage and display space, but also an area for a major Aboriginal art collection in Alice Springs. There will be a new national exhibition gallery and study centre. It will be dedicated to the display of works of the Batterbee collection, works by Albert Namatjira and also the Papunya collection. That will free up other areas of Araluen which will enable the display of Araluen-specific collections such as the Alice Springs Town Council collection and the Crafts Council collection. At the present time, as you would be aware, Madam Speaker, the restrictions of space restrict the ability to display those collections.
Those changes will certainly provide a great benefit, not only to Alice Springs citizens but also to tourists who are visiting Alice Springs. It will provide access to a world-class art collection and gallery. I think it is worthwhile repeating here that the government is committed to relocating the Central Australian Museum to the Strehlow Centre building in the cultural precinct. I think members would know the present lease for the Central Australian Museum expires at the end of 1998. The move will enable that whole central precinct area to include arts, performing arts, visual arts, the Strehlow Foundation and also the Museum and Art Gallery, and provide a great boost to arts and culture in the centre of Australia.
I take the opportunity to congratulate the Friends of Araluen who worked very closely with the Department of Arts and Museums to secure that federation funding, and also the federal government deserve thanking for their commitment to the Territory. I look forward to this improved facility, this precinct, playing a very important part in Alice Springs’s growth and also its maturity in terms of an arts and cultural centre in Australia.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016