Some time ago the Gillen Club Incorporated approached Council to buy the strip of land on Newland Park adjoining the rear of the Gillen Club to develop it for car parking purposes.

“Council chose to consider the original rezoning and sale to the Gillen Club due to the increased safety issues being faced in and around the Gillen Club during peak times, when cars park along the busy Milner Road and often onto vacant park land adjacent the Gillen Club,” said Mayor Fran Kilgariff.

Upon reviewing the possible rezoning and sale of the strip of land for car parking purposes, Council also considered rezoning the remaining area for development purposes.

“Newland Park is a community owned piece of land, there has not been any decisions made and all-inclusive community feedback will be the basis for Council’s final decision regarding future action,” said Mayor Kilgariff.

Council has also made the commitment to put proceeds from the sale of any land on Newland Park into establishing a high standard recreational and playground area off of Jim McConville Oval (adjacent the Gillen Club).

“A further guarantee has also been made to put remaining funds from any sale into community recreational and playground areas across the entire Alice Springs community,” said Mayor Kilgariff.

Council is aware there will be residents and ratepayers who cannot attend the meeting, so will also use the opinions and options put forward by residents at the meeting as the basis for a Community Feedback Form.

“The Community Feedback Form developed after the meeting will be sent to Gillen residents and ratepayers to allow them to be part of the feedback process inclusively,” said Mayor Kilgariff.

“Alice Springs Town Council welcomes attendance at the public meeting on Monday 5 November at 7pm in the Andy McNeill Room at the Civic Centre on Todd Street, where people will have the opportunity to gain more information and express opinions,” said Mayor Kilgariff.

For further information contact:

Mayor Fran Kilgariff (08) 8950 0525 or 0419 376 060

ASTC Chief Executive Officer Rex Mooney (08) 8950 0525 or 0427161956

ASTC Media & Communication Officer Fionn Muster (08) 8950 0546 or 0417884449