The National Aboriginal Art Gallery in Alice Springs has been one of the most divisive development projects in the town in recent years.
It was the subject of an ICAC investigation, the town council voted against it, and Traditional Owners walked away from it.
Sporting groups were furious when the government picked the town’s historic Anzac Oval as the final site for the gallery and began compulsorily acquiring the land.
In his first major press conference since the Zachary Rolfe verdict was handed down, Chief Minister Michael Gunner and half of his cabinet colleagues announced it had finalised the compulsory acquisition of the site and the $150 million project was back on track.
But in a sign of the ongoing tensions, the media call was not held at Anzac Oval, but the Araluen arts precinct on the other side of town.
"The Territory Government will provide $50 million for the project and will work with the Australian Government and Opposition to secure the remaining $100 million to make this truly iconic project a reality," Mr Gunner said on Friday.
Chief Minister Michael Gunner announcing another step towards a National Aboriginal Art Gallery Source: Grenville Turner
“If they don’t back the project, the Territory Government will provide the additional funding in stages."
The decision seals the fate for the town's “home of rugby league”- the oval appears to have been saved but the grandstand, goal post and other sporting infrastructure looks destined for demolition.
It will make way for “an open, family-friendly community green space and entrance to the precinct.”
The nearby abandoned Anzac High School was demolished years ago, but not before the ICAC was called to investigate allegations of improper conduct involving a government heritage assessment – none were found.
Despite its chequered past, Mr Gunner was looking to the future, describing the project as “one of the biggest in Alice Springs in decades.”
He said it will create hundreds of jobs and fortify the Territory’s position as the "preferred destination for Aboriginal cultural tourism experiences in Australia.”
Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation represents the Native title holders of Alice Springs and it supports the National Aboriginal Art Gallery being built in the town.
“Two representatives on the Reference Group will begin discussing employment and contract opportunities via this forum,” said CEO Graeme Smith.
“We have no Native Title interests at the ANZAC High School or oval sites. Native Title was extinguished there many years ago with the Oval being owned by the Alice Springs Town Council. It is not Crown land where we have rights.
“The art gallery has been a political football between the Alice Springs Town Council and the Northern Territory government.”
The government says the gallery is expected to attract an additional 53,000 visitors to Alice Springs every year.
Construction is expected to start next year, with completion expected during 2025.
