Leases on Town Camps

On 24th June 2008, the Executive of Tangentyere Council, representing all Housing Associations of the town camps of Alice Springs, voted unanimously to enter into 40 year leases with the Australian government, with further negotiations about the management of housing to be undertaken with mutual goodwill.

Tangentyere Council has always said it will work in partnership with governments to improve the situation on town camps. It has actively sought the assistance of this and previous governments to improve housing, infrastructure and living conditions, and is pleased that a consultative process which includes a place for town camp residents themselves now appears possible.

The Australian Government has committed $5.3 million to begin upgrades as soon as possible. A total of $50 million has been offered by the Australian government for housing and infrastructure upgrades.

For information on Tangentyere Council’s reasons for rejecting the Howard Government’s offer of $60 million for a 99 year lease, see 2007 National Indigenous Housing Conference speech. For further information on the history of town camps, see historical overview.

Another account of this story is available in Coercive Reconciliation: Stabilise, Normalise, Exit Aboriginal Australia, Arena Publications, Melbourne, 2007. This book includes a wide range of articles about the Northern Territory Emergency Response by Aboriginal and non Aboriginal people. It is available in many bookshops or by using the attached order form.

Press Release 2008:
Macklin Lease Signing
Tangentyere Lease Release

Press Release 2007:
Work With Us, Not Against Us
Alice Springs Town Camp Residents Reject Conditional Offer
Town Camp Residents Determined To Keep Their Land