The Alice Springs Transformation Plan continues to deliver positive improvements and outcomes for the residents of Alice Springs, in particular those living in town camps.
The Alice Springs Transformation Plan has made ground breaking progress over the last twelve months thanks to the collaborative efforts by locals, service providers and government agencies. Some achievements include:
- 194 houses across 18 town camps received initial work through the 'fix and make safe' program
- eight new houses built and 10 more underway
- 22 refurbishments and rebuilds complete and another seven under way
- 32 Indigenous people employed to deliver housing improvements
- Over 40 local businesses engaged to help deliver the housing works
- weekly wheelie bin rubbish collection service introduced for 18 town camps
- increased public bus services more accessible to town camps
- Percy Court complex is almost complete and will provide managed and supported accommodation
- 35 additional bedrooms will be available at The Lodge on Bath Street, for visitors receiving medical treatment
- eight additional beds for homeless men at Salvation Army
- Targeted Family Support case management capacity increased to 45
- 306 clients access the Safe and Sober Program
- intensive dog controls and registration introduced on town camps
- Apmere Mwerre Visitor Park is well under way and will be finished in early 2011.
Central Australian Aboriginal Congress commenced the marketing of the Reading and Willing Program through television advertisements and local newspapers.
As of 24 January 2011 a total of 31 rebuilds and refurbishments have been completed on existing houses across five town camps. Work has commenced on a further thirteen rebuilds and refurbishments in Hidden Valley, Morris Soak, Ilpeye-Ilpeye and Trucking Yards.
Housing development is progressing, with the completion of eighteen new houses comprising of seven at Trucking Yards, four at Morris Soak, two each for Larapinta Valley, Hidden Valley and Little Sisters and one at Warlpiri. Work on sixteen new houses has started, with ten at Larapinta Valley and six at Hidden Valley.
Helen Kantawara and her family at Trucking Yards
Helen Kantawara, a long time Trucking Yards resident, is happy with the work so far.
"This is something we have been waiting for, for a long time," said Ms Kantawara.
"We absolutely welcome these new houses and the refurbishment of old houses – because our houses have been run down for too long.
"All the refurbished houses completed have had really huge improvements and the families are really happy with the work. The refurbished houses are so comfortable and easy to keep clean.
"My daughter has settled into her new house with her four children. This is her first real home because before that my whole family - up to eight members - were living in my two bedroom unit.
"Although there is a lot of work happening it is only a small inconvenience to us because in the long run many families will have decent homes to live in."
Hidden Valley resident Purina Anderson outside her new house
Finishing touches were made to the Apmere Mwerre Visitor Park throughout December and January in anticipation of the proposed opening in February 2011. Window furnishings are being completed with a variety of landscaping underway including the planting of Australian Native trees and grasses. A range of fruit trees have been planted around the visitor park with mulch also being laid. In addition radio advertisements in four Indigenous languages promoting the opening of the new Apmere Mwerre Visitor Park were aired across Alice Springs.