Ntaria (Hermannsburg), an Aboriginal Council 130 kilometres west of Alice Springs, has made rapid progress on its Local Government Incentive Programme (LGIP) project which received $84,300 of Federal funding earlier this year to develop a suite of tourism enterprises in the Western Macdonnell Region.
Progress continues despite a couple of unexpected influences. Firstly there was the unseasonally heavy rain in Central Australia in July this year, and secondly there has been unprecedented interest from adjoining communities in extending the scope of the project.
The problem of the rains has been solved by some follow up construction work to ensure adequate all weather hardstanding for the newly constructed camping and caravan ground. Plans are now being finalised to construct tourist friendly visitor facilities at the Store and Fuel outlet at Hermannsburg.
Ntaria Council has been joined by representatives from Wallace Rockhole community and the Tjuwanpa Outstation Resource Centre in developing a Regional Master Plan for Tourism Development. This widened scope recognises the tourism potential of the region that to date has been relatively untouched.
The success of work completed so far has aroused the interest of adjoining communities.
Hermannsburg is an Aboriginal community with a fascinating history located in the heart of Central Australia, approximately 130 kilometres west of Alice Springs. The community is set in the very centre of some spectacular desert country, the gateway to attractions such as Gosse Bluff, Finke Gorge National Park, Kings Canyon and Palm Valley.
Cottages and churches built at Hermannsburg by German missionaries, who arrived in 1877, offer an insight into the early interaction between the European and Aboriginal cultures. Hermannsburg was also home to the famous Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira, and his whitewashed cottage still stands.
The area has enormous tourism potential. The cottages were fully restored in 1988.
The Ntaria community has recognised that further work such as grading of roads, development of accommodation facilities and establishment of nature tours would greatly enhance Hermannsburg’s desirability as a tourist destination, encourage more and longer stays and consequently enhance the local employment opportunities.
Local employment was one of the main focuses of the Ntaria project and a reason for their success in gaining Federal funding in the LGIP round that closed in October last year.
A total of 55 projects received a share of $4.1 million Federal funding.
Projects were selected because they focused on an enhanced role for Local Government in leading their communities and increased the capacity of Local Government to contribute to regional development. Ntaria’s project looks like an early success on both counts.
The Local Government Incentive Programme was a two year Federal initiative. Ntaria is one of 55 projects approved in the final year of the Programme.
