In a first for the Northern Territory, Tennant Creek Town Council has won a National Innovation Award. Winning the National Rural Award and the Community Services category, its unique program called Streetwatch has achieved ‘unprecedented levels of community participation’.
Objectives of the program include litter control, maintenance and improvement of streetscapes, pet control, shared responsibility for streetwater and the provision of a forum for the discussion of civic issues. In addition to the clear desirability of these objectives, the encouragement of all residents to participate contributes to the much broader and far reaching objectives of participation, ownership and reconciliation in a remote town with a large indigenous population.
The program offers local residents the opportunity to become part of actual decision making while interacting with each other in a combined effort to improve their lifestyle. By this time next year, it is hoped Streetwatch will be functional in every street in the Town.
In accepting the Award, Mayor Paul Ruger said that national recognition through this Award will help promote the Town. He extended an invitation to other Australians to visit the town and experience its warm hospitality.
For further information contact Ali Khan, on (089) 622 401.
