You Said, We Did

Newland Park: Pre-Development (March 2023)

Before finalising the design for Newland Park Skate and Play Precinct, extensive community consultation - including an online survey, a community drop-in session, skate drop-in session, and skate workshop - to hear suggestions about what should be included at the new facility

🗣️You Said...	✅We Did...
"Make it colourful, so that way you don't feel gloomy when you're playing with family, friends etc." "Use natural colours, ochre/orange/red, greens, blues. Some central Australian animals featured as statues or climbing equipment."
"Please include a basketball court or a flat concrete area for roller skating. My son and I rollerskate frequently but there are not many large flat areas to rollerskate."
"...a skatepark which consists of elements that suit different skills, bowl, boxes, ramp rails. It should have shade and water."

Newland Park: Post-Opening Feedback (Feb - Mar 2026)

Having officially opened in December 2025, we wanted to hear community feedback about people's experience at Newland Park Skate and Play Precinct.

In particular, we asked the following things: 

• "How’s your experience of Newland Park Skate and Play Precinct been so far?
•  Has anything changed for Gillen residents since the Park opened?
• "What can Council do to make your experience at Newland Park more enjoyable?"
• "Where have you travelled from to get to the skate park?"

Who We Spoke To

Between February to March 2026, a range of channels were used to gain insight about the perspectives of local residents, surrounding organisations and business, and external agencies. 

How We Engaged

What We Heard 

From the various conversations we had and Form responses received, these are some of the main topics people spoke about:

🗣️You Said...	✅We Did...
“Lights should stay on later.” “Lights should go off one by one — it’s unsafe for them to turn off all at once.”	Council action: 🔄 Trial proposed A school‑holiday trial will extend lighting to 10pm for the following periods - Term 1 / Easter school holidays: from Thursday 2 April - Monday 13 April 2026 and Term 2 / Winter school holidays: from Friday 19 June to Sunday 12 July 2026 Staged switch‑off is under assessment. Monitoring will inform future decisions, with resident notification and feedback built into the process.
“Please fence near road especially as there is a basketball court right near road.” “A big net fence on road side of basketball court.”	Council action: ✅ Immediate A 3.0 m high ball barrier fence is being installed at the 3×3 basketball court. Milner Road has also been included in a traffic study to assess pedestrian and road‑safety measures.
“SHADE!!!! … have proper shade in the public parks.” “Maybe they need more trees as the iron structures are ok but not as cooling as trees.”	Council action: ✅ Immediate / Ongoing Tree planting along the eastern strip of Newland Park is being planned.
“There’s nothing up the back, so there’s a lot of kid and adult rubbish.” “Possibly needs more bins in place too.”	Council action: ✅ Immediate and 🔍 Further investigation Rubbish management has been increased immediately; additional bins require further assessment and funding.
“Mulched areas … should be turfed as the mulch gets onto the park and is a hazard.” “Make sure the sprinklers don't spray onto the concrete — can get slippery.”	Council action: ✅ Immediate Infrastructure is being assessed to reduce mulch spill, review sprinkler placement, and install wet‑condition skate warnings. Pooling at water stations has been added to the defects list for contractor rectification.

Craving even more 'Adventure'...?

Beyond skating, there's loads of things for kids (and for 'the young at heart') to do at Newland Park! From climbing walls, play area, and free BBQ's, you can lap up hours of outdoor entertainment!

For those wanting even more action, we've got exactly what you need just down the road...

Adventure Park @ Alice Springs Aquatics and Leisure Centre (ASALC)

What’s inside the Adventure Park?

• ⛳ 18-hole mini-golf course

• 🏀 3x3 basketball court

• 🏓 Table tennis

• 🎠 Adventure playground

• 🏐 Beach volleyball court

• 💪 Outdoor gym

• 🌳 BBQ areas and plenty of shade

Whether you're shooting hoops, perfecting your mini-golf swing, enjoying a BBQ with friends, or letting the kids burn off energy on the playground, there’s something here for everyone.

New Library: Phase 1 - Listening (March 2026)

Throughout March 2026, Tangentyere Design - the architects awarded the contract for creating the Design Concept of the New Library Project - undertook an extensive range of community consultation to hear what the community values most and want's considered in the new iteration of the town's public library.

Phase 1 was all about hearing what the community want prioritised in the New Library. This information has then been collated and used to inform the preliminary Design Concept. Once this is complete, the Phase 2 consultation can begin. 

Wo We Spoke To

During Tangentyere Design's consultation, they heard from a range of people:

• 72% of responses were from those between 26-60yrs
• 52% said they visit the currently library weekly or more often
• Of those spoken with, 38% have accessibility needs

Many responses explicitly named the need for:

• Ramps (not lift-only)
• Automatic doors and 
• Accessible toilets.

This was raised independently across the survey and consultation groups.

How We Engaged

During the first phase - the 'listening' phase - of the New Library Consultation, the following opportunities were provided to the community to share their ideas to help inform the initial Design Concept:

• 130+ survey responses
• 60+ focus groups
• 400+ public voices heard
• 2 public sessions

What We Heard

Why people use the library? 

The Most Requested Spaces for the New Library were:

What's Next?

Tangentyere Design are finalising the details for the next stage of the consultation process, Phase 2 - Design Concept.

Keep your eyes peeled for updates!  

Safety Upgrades Along Gap Road (March 2026)

Council is making a number of safety changes to Gap Road and has been hearing community feedback from the community about:

• Identifying key areas to implement changes 
• Preferences for updates and
• Ideas to make the area safer for road users and pedestrians alike!

What We Heard:

Key Locations & Hot Spots	The following areas along Gap Road were highlighted as important to focus on to increase safety: Before the roundabout near The Gap View Hotel Between Brookes St & Gnoilya St Around Alice Springs Aquatics & Leisure Centre (ASALC) Down Traeger Ave Between Bagot St and the Hospital Entrance The section of Todd St between Stuart Tce and Stott Tce
Comments & Suggestions	In order of frequency of requests, the five most common feedback points included: More city safe CCTV New Road Surface Improved Visibility (from service roads) Make it clear where 40km/h speed limits begin (paint it on the road) and More neighbourhood watch signs & funding
Preferred Safety Upgrades	These are the things most preferred safety upgrades based on feedback received: Improved Street Lighting Improved Pedestrian Connectivity Wombat Crossings These are the least preferred safety upgrades:  Reduced speed to 40km/h throughout Road Cushions Raised Intersection Platforms

What's Next?

The project has successfully transitioned from the initial concept phase into detailed design.

Our current priority is refining the technical specifications to ensure the corridor is safer, more efficient, and more inviting for business and primary stakeholders.

Municipal Plan 2026-27 and Strategic Plan Consultation

With updates being made to Alice Springs Town Councils Municipal Plan for the next Financial Year (2026/27) and the Strategic Plan, Council wants to have conversations with the community about what's set to be included within the plans. 

Council Connects: Municipal Plan and Strategic Plan Pop-Up

• Date: Saturday 23 May
• Time: 9am - 11am 
• Location: Yeperenye Shopping Centre, near carpark entrance / food court
• What's planned: your Councillors will have a stall ready with information and answers to questions you have regarding the contents of the draft Municipal Plan 2026-27 and the updated Strategic Plan . 

New Library: Phase 2 - Design Concept Feedback (May 2026)

The team at Tangentyere Design have gone away to assess the community insights gained through Phase 1 of the New Library consultation.

Now, they have a Design Concept and want to hear your thoughts on what they've mapped out.

Phase 2 - New Library Consultation

Details to come! Watch this space for updates!👀📅

✅February - Council Connects at Newland Skate Park & Play Precinct

While wet weather meant our 'official' pop-up at Newland Park didn't go ahead as planned, we did manage to pull together a last minute session on Sat 28 Feb to hand out icy poles while having some great conversations about how the community is taking to the Park.

Not only did we see some epic tricks on the ramps from up-and-coming skating superstars, but got useful feedback for things that Council can do to improve the experience of both skatepark users and residents.

✅March - Council Connects for the New Library Consultation (Phase 1)

We had a fantastic turn out for our Council Connects session at the library on Sat 21 March!

Between 10am - 1pm, there was loads of great conversations with the team from Tangentyere Design, a number of Councillors, and our wonderful casual staff to provide more information about while listening to what the community wants considered within the Concept Design for the New Library. 

✅April - Council Connects at Olive Pink Botanic Garden 

As part of Councils Earth Day - Gathering By The Fire event (Wed 22 April, 4pm - 8pm), we set up the ASTC Ask Me Stall for attendees to talk with our very own Environmental Officer, Baran 'Baz', alongside Councillors to provide information about our current sustainability initiatives.

From what we heard, people are particularly eager to learn more about recycling  (= how to do it the Alice Springs way!) and managing Buffel grass based on best-practice methods!

Did you know we already have some awesome resources on both these topics and more on the ASTC website?

• Recycling > for all the need-to-know info about what you can and can't recycle PLUS where and how you do it!
• Buffel Busting at Home (pdf) > an accessible, easy-to-follow fact sheet about what Buffel Grass is, where it came from, and how to bust it the best way!

For more about Council's sustainability initiatives, check out:

• Council Initiatives

📅May - Council Connects for the Municipal Plan and Strategic Plan Pop-Up

You can catch your Councillors to chat about the updated Municipal Plan and Strategic Plan at Yeperenye Shopping Centre on Sat 23 May, 9am - 11am.

We look forward to seeing you there!

⏳June - Council Connects...

Details to come soon!

⏳July - Council Connects...

Details to come soon!