Gallery poll: less than 40% wanted Anzac Oval

8
2211

2524 Have your say OKBy ERWIN CHLANDA
 
More than 60% of respondents did not vote for Anzac Oval – the Chief Minister’s choice – in a government online poll about the location of the proposed National Indigenous Art Gallery.
 
Minister for Tourism and Culture, Lauren Moss, disclosed the previously confidential figures yesterday: 39.1% of people voted for Anzac Hill, 32.2% voted for “other” and 28.7% voted for Desert Park.
 
There were 649 responses to the poll started in November.
 
Minister Moss says in a media release: “The two most suitable potential options for the gallery [the Anzac Hill Precinct and Desert Park] and a third choice of ‘other’ were put out to the community for comment.
 
“While many sites were looked at, these two sites were considered the best options based on factors including size, sense of place, connection to the landscape and accessibility, taking into account heritage and cultural considerations,” says Ms Moss.
 
“Of the two sites, the Anzac Hill Precinct (including the old Anzac High School site) was favoured by residents, local businesses and tourism operators.”
 
The release did not disclose how this conclusion was reached, nor how it was determined that “the Anzac Hill Precinct was the only option that met the selection criteria suitable for a world-class facility in the CBD”.
 
Ms Moss says the responses for “other” saw people suggest a range of mostly CBD sites.
 
“We understand Anzac Oval is highly valued as community green space. This will be respected in the planning and design process for the Gallery. The community, including Traditional Owners, will be consulted through this process.”
 
 
 

8 COMMENTS

  1. Well we all know the slogans the Opposition will be running with in their next election, they will be promising to listing to the town and consulting better and moving the location (remember it isn’t due to start till 2020, and the election is due then), and also stopping/slowing crime (which will never happen anyway, but they always push it).
    And you know what, there will be a landslide of votes from the Alice Springs residents as it’s clearly not a popular decision. The current government are just gifting the Opposition free valuable key points to run on.

  2. • 39% does not make a majority.
    • The building is more than just an old high school to a lot of old residents including me! Community college, technical college …
    • Tourism? I have been tour guide / sole operator for language and I have good knowledge of what the real tourists want. I said real, because you have tourists who do not know why they are here, and the ones who have specific wants.
    • “We understand Anzac Oval is highly valued as community green space. This will be respected in the planning and design process for the gallery. The community, including traditional owners, will be consulted through this process.”
    • Green will be respected? Please explain.
    • In the planning and design process? Hello!!! No design yet!!!
    • How can you consult without a design and projection???
    This project looks more and more like a scenario of “Yes, Minister”.
    Bernard: But surely the citizens of a democracy have a right to know.
    Sir Humphrey Appleby: No. They have a right to be ignorant. Knowledge only means complicity in guilt; ignorance has a certain dignity.

  3. Law and Order and Flood Mitigation first. Or idiots will destroy the Art Gallery – then it will wash away. LOL

  4. Anzac Oval is a whitefella sacred site. If you want Aboriginal Art look at Araluen Art Centre. Leave the Oval for sport! Hetti P and Philip W are right.
    And, If a town like Alice cannot fly the Aboriginal Flag on ANZAC Hill permanently then it sends a mutant message to everyone of us wanting a National Aboriginal Culture Centre.

  5. Well the more you dither in the Territory the less chance you will have for a Nationally recognised Centre. Wether Darwin, or Alice Springs, the new kid on the block is South Australia with a new Government. They’ll snatch it quicker than you can say Aboriginal Art Centre.

  6. I took a drive to Desert Park last week and noted it took six minutes from the Gap.
    Driving in to the car park I marvelled at the view to the ramparts of the West Mack’s at every twist and turn.
    So much space, world class backdrop, no flood risk, infrastructure in place and complimentary to Desert Park itself. It’s a no brainer!
    So why is the Gunner mob hell bent on sticking the gallery in the afternoon shadow of Anzac Hill? Seems to me there is a whale in the bay and promises have already been made to who knows whom.

  7. Gunner should ask the residents as the oval belongs to the ratepayers and not to the Mayor.
    After six months of hard work, the committee handed its report to government in mid-November.
    The committee believe that the Desert Park is the best location to achieve the project’s vision.
    More than any other site considered, it would allow an expression of “connectedness to country,” says Mr Watkins – fundamental for an Indigenous cultural project.
    “It’s somewhere where you can understand the grandeur, the majesty of the country, where the museum would have room to breathe,” says Ms Perkins.
    Why have a committee if you do not listen to the founding? Is it not throwing money in the wind?

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