Issue 14

The Independent Member for Araluen, Robyn Lambley (at left) predicts an announcement from Chief Minister Michael Gunner today.

UPDATE 7.10am: The government confirms the car park and announces hospital staff accommodation.

UPDATE 12 noon Wednesday: The Alice Springs News is seeking a reply from the police to a comment from reader "Sam" about the allocation to the police of numerous car parks in Parsons Street. The Town Council has responded to the points raised by the reader.

UPDATE Wednesday 1.10pm: More details of the 70 accommodation units released, including a map of their location (photo).

Bag snatch at fast food carpark followed by chase and indecent assault.

Access to raw data from police and hospital on which crime statistics are based is still denied.

The annual Show has turned 60 but hasn't changed a lot in the past few years, decades really, and that's a sure sign of perfection. Find out what it takes to earn a ribbon. ERWIN CHLANDA reports, and Alice Springs News VIDEOs show the finer points of judging live Show entries.

Seniors Party and Australian Country Party form coalition to contest next year's Territory election. IMAGE from the party's website.

Camping on show grounds: End government permission acting "to the detriment" of the industry, says Brendan Heenan, president of the NT Caravan Park Association. IMAGE: Show Society advertises caravan accommodation on its website. ERWIN CHLANDA reports.

Mackay chosen "because good infrastructure, a proud community – even a new, state-of-the-art sport and recreation precinct for students, trainers and their families. We were really moved by the way locals came together with the #MackayWantsYouQantas campaign," says the airline. ERWIN CHLANDA reports. IMAGE: Qantas livery showing Wunula Dreaming of the Yantuwa people in the Gulf of Carpenteria.

UPDATE 2pm:: "Qantas is not the only airline" says airport manager Dave Batic. Asia Pacific region airlines are looking for similar opportunities.

Tourism Minister Lauren Moss was only half right when she claimed more that 20,000 people saw Parrtjima. ERWIN CHLANDA reports. IMAGE from the Parrtjima website.

UPDATE 3am July 5: Additional comment from Robyn Lambley, Independent Member for Araluen.

Happy dogs make for happy people, writes John Bermingham, but not always in the Old Eastside's Ross Park where Town Council restrictions have been brought in, apparently with little or no public consultation – or need.

UPDATE 12.20pm: The rules are not new, says the Town Council.

Speeding and alcohol was involved in nearly half the road fatalities in the NT last year, say police.

Theft of expensive materials owned by the Power and Water Corporation from Darwin depots and workshops are being investigated by the police although, it says, “no formal complaint has been received”. The materials allegedly stolen include entire cable drums (similar to the ones pictured).

The debate about Small Council vs Big Council is taking on a new urgency as the NT Government has run up record debts while doing little for The Alice. Council CEO Rex Mooney, retiring after more than 16 years on the job, sees no obstacles to local government broadening its brief. He spoke with ERWIN CHLANDA. Mr Mooney is pictured at the Todd Mall building site and at the opening of the town pool following a $16m funding coup (at right in each photo).