Northern Territory Government picks Alice Springs site for new Indigenous museum

The Northern Territory Government has announced that a proposed $150 million Indigenous art museum is to be built at Alice Spring's Anzac Oval.

Following more than a decade of discussions for a national Indigenous art gallery in Alice Springs, Northern Territory Minister for Tourism and Culture Lauren Moss on Friday revealed the location for the planned National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Museum.

To be built on the edge of both the Alice Springs CBD and the Todd River, the facility will be Australia's first national Indigenous gallery.

However, according to a report by the ABC, the Northern Territory Government has ignored the advice of an expert report it commissioned which recommended the museum be built in the Desert Park precinct area.

While the report discussed Anzac Oval, it concluded that the size of land could constrain development, there was a minor flooding risk from the Todd River, there was a sacred site nearby and the sporting facilities would require removal.

However, the report did put the oval forward as the most suitable CBD location.

Despite ignoring the key recommendation on location, Minister Moss said she "really valued" the work the committee had done.

She advised “they've made 14 recommendations to government to consider, of which the site is only one.”

The announcement formed the keystone of a major address by Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner on the year ahead for Alice Springs.

He advised “what we will have here is a site located centrally in Alice Springs that is within walking distance of a lot of other fantastic assets here in Alice Springs."

The Northern Territory Government has yet to secure funding for the museum having previously advised that it would be looking for money from both the Federal Government and corporate sector for its expected $150 million price tag. 

Image shows the Desert Mob Exhibition in Alice Springs. Image courtesy of TourismNT. 

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