Another museum spat for Gunner

PUBLIC anger is growing over the Territory Government’s decision to ignore the advice of its own report and choose Alice Springs’ Anzac Oval as its preferred site for a $150 million national indigenous art museum.

Independent Member for Araluen Robyn Lambley has called on Alice Springs Council to stand up for ratepayers at its meeting tomorrow night.

On Friday, Minister for Tourism and Culture Lauren Moss revealed the location for the planned National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Museum, which is on the edge of both the Alice Springs CBD and the Todd River.

It would be Australia’s first national indigenous gallery.

South Australia is spruiking itself as the gallery’s best location.

“The council controls Anzac Oval and as far as I know has no formal position on the oval being handed over to the NT Government, and it needs to let ratepayers know what it is,” Ms Lambley said.

“There is a lot of anger among ratepayers opposed to the proposed site and the Minister for Tourism and Culture Lauren Moss should step aside.

“The Government’s own report recommends one thing and the Minister ignored it.”

The decision comes as the NT News yesterday revealed the Gunner Government had all but decided to scrap its unpopular plans to build a Darwin museum at Myilly Point.

Councillor Eli Melky said he would be raising the issue at tomorrow night’s meeting.

“I certainly think we should properly formalise our position,” he said.

“At this point, I could not tell you what eight other elected members of council think about Anzac Oval even though we own the dirt.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said on Friday the gallery would create hundreds of local jobs during construction and support many more once completed. He said the site was chosen for its size, connection to the landscape and accessibility, among other factors.

“There is a lot of anger among ratepayers”