Organisers of a major tourism drawcard event in Alice Springs say no live events will be held in the town's mall this year because of concerns about potential anti-social behaviour.
Key points:
- The Parrtjima light festival will not program any live events in the Alice Springs mall this year
- Teenagers allegedly drove a stolen car through the location last year
- A local business owner says the area is a crime hotspot
Last year's Parrtjima: A Festival in Light was marred by teenagers driving an allegedly stolen car through the Todd Mall as festival crews packed up after a live performance.
The event is a multi-day festival featuring workshops, live performances and large art installations.
No-one was injured in the 2020 incident, but Paul Ah Chee from NT Major Events Company told ABC Alice Springs it was the reason all live events would this year be held in the Alice Springs Desert Park, on the town's outskirts.
He said organisers were working with the Alice Springs Town Council on safety strategies, and would still be setting up static light installations in the mall.
"Hopefully we will be able to get to the point where we can activate the mall again, because the mall is just beautiful," he said.
"I know it's pretty difficult at the moment but we can only work towards positive things, and try and develop an environment where we can do things like that."
He said the event had worked with youth programs in the past and would continue to engage young people in the festival.
Pub owner Kyle Pearson said it was disappointing the mall could not be used to host events in the festival, which was marketed to tourists across the country.
"It's an absolute shame that they can't do that however, given what's going on in the mall most nights, I don't really think it's surprising in any way," he said.
"We've had multiple break-ins over the last 12 to 18 months, lots of damage, Montes (a licensed venue near the mall) sees anti-social behaviour and bad things happen most nights.
Joshua Burgoyne, a local member of the CLP Opposition, used the example to repeat criticism of the Labor Government's youth justice policies and call for tougher bail laws.
"Crime and anti-social behaviour is ruining the quality of life for residents in Central Australia, and now crime is ruining the Government's plans for economic recovery," he said.
A spokeswoman for NT Major Events Company (NTMEC) said this year's event would still feature a large-scale illuminated installation in the Todd Mall.
"NTMEC continues to work with stakeholders to overcome a range of challenges, and we are committed to delivering an incredible Parrtjima experience at both Alice Springs Desert Park and Todd Mall," she said.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMibmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIxLTAyLTA5L3BhcnJ0amltYS1mZXN0aXZhbC1zY3JhcHMtbGl2ZS1wZXJmb3JtYW5jZXMtYWxpY2Utc3ByaW5ncy1tYWxsLzEzMTM2MDc40gEnaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXAuYWJjLm5ldC5hdS9hcnRpY2xlLzEzMTM2MDc4?oc=5
2021-02-09 08:15:00Z
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