CATEGORY

NT

What future for tourism?

Hopes that growth in tourism will lift Alice Springs out of its economic slump in 2026 look like wishful thinking. There are no major projects. There are still no accommodation facilities other than camping in the West MacDonnell National Park (2,568 km2), the jewels in our tourism crown, nor in the East Macs. Ross River is available only for special functions and Glen Helen is still closed.

Weather data pinpoints best beaches near you for Christmas 2025

A sea of red Santa hats on the beach is a common Christmas Day sight in Australia, and a new study pinpoints the exact beaches near you that almost guarantee perfect beachside weather conditions this December 25th 2025.

Domestic violence prevention program, first of its kind for youth detainees in the NT

A new program aiming to intervene early and prevent domestic violence is being rolled out to youth in the Northern Territory, in a first for NT Corrections. The Department has partnered with Power Community Limited (PCL) to expand its prevention program, ‘Power to End Violence Against Women’ to young people.

Beating buffel: From that to this

Alex Nelson. When I moved to Pitchi Richi Sanctuary in October 2022, buffel grass smothered almost the entire site. Aside from a small area around the resident caretaker's cottage, I assessed that buffel grass comprised a minimum of 99.9 per cent of the groundcover across the entire property.

Sand mining kills trees

Big, healthy eucalypt trees in Roe Creek are falling victim to sand mining, according to two members of the public who have contacted the Alice Springs News. The mines are either side of the Temple Bar Gap, south of the Ilparpa Road.

Crime down, victims down, public drinking in focus: Finocchiaro, Edgington

The Finocchiaro CLP Government today released its Banned Drinkers Register Review as the latest crime data is released across the Territory. Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the Territory’s latest crime statistics, covering January to September this year compared with the same period last year, show an 8.3 per cent reduction in victims of crime, with 1,635 fewer Territorians becoming victims.

Face scanning before entering pub

More than 20 restaurants may be permitted to serve full-strength alcohol only with a full meal between 11.30am and 3pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The Liquor Commission also proposes to require the Todd Tavern, the NT Rock Bar, Bojangles and Uncles Tavern to establish an identification system, similar to the one used in bottle shops, but including scanning the person's face.

National Agriculture Day: NFF

If you’re still on the hunt for an Ag Day plan for tomorrow, fear not! We’ve picked some of the juiciest public Ag Day events … From seedling giveaways, to farm tours, nation-wide meditations, to entire towns painting themselves green, there is something for everyone this Friday!

Moo-ving the boundaries: New research evaluates virtual fences for use on NT cattle stations

Cattle producers in Northern Australia face unique challenges when adapting tools like virtual fences on their properties, but new research from Charles Darwin University (CDU) is set to break down the barriers to this technology. Virtual fences remotely map and control livestock such as cows by fitting the animal with a GPS collar that delivers audio cues and electric pulses to the animal if they approach a pre-set boundary.  

Araluen Arthouse Cinema – Yurlu Country

A vivid ode to Country and an intimate portrait of an Aboriginal elder’s final year as he strives to preserve his culture and heal his homeland, scarred by the largest contaminated site in the Southern Hemisphere.

Crocodiles as laying hens are a new economic reality

Australia's wild crocodile population has become part of the country's livestock industry. Continued development of the industry requires raising crocodile eggs on farms, rather than collecting wild crocodile eggs in the jungle. This is driving the development of crocodile farms in Queensland and Western Australia.

Only in the Northern Territory – CLP backs responsible pet crocodile ownership: Boothby

While the Victorian Government is moving to ban pet crocodiles, the Finocchiaro CLP Government is backing them - with 63 Territorians already licensed to keep 123 crocs, it's proof our unique Territory lifestyle is alive and thriving. Now, the CLP Government is inviting Territorians to have their say on new safety and welfare guidelines to make owning a pet croc simpler and safer than ever.

Pine Gap fortress in the middle of town?

Alice Springs is a town of fences and this one is the granddaddy of them all: it surrounds what is apparently a Pine Gap facility, between McDonald and Whittaker streets, behind the Harvey Norman store. The owner of Lot 9145 is the Commonwealth of Australia.

The Australian crocodile industry’s problematic trio

Australia's export-oriented crocodile industry depends on public opinion in foreign countries and the actions of legislators in those countries. This is the industry's primary problem. Two secondary problems arise from this. Australia's crocodile industry has too little economic potential, and lobbying regulations in Australia are too imperfect for Australian farmers to quickly follow global trends.

Freight services return to Wadeye: Edgington

The Northern Territory Government welcomes confirmation that Top End Barge Services will commence barge operations between Darwin and Wadeye from mid-November, ensuring freight deliveries to the West Daly region ... “This is a great result for Wadeye, the community came together, identified what it needed, and found a commercial solution": Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Steve Edgington.

Where our lopsided economy is really at

Don Fuller. Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has been trumpeting the economic information provided by the latest CommSec State of the States Economic Report, claiming that this was clear evidence of the government’s success in rebuilding the NT economy.

Artificial insemination program introduces new genetics to herd: NT DAF

The Northern Territory Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (NT DAF) Livestock Industries team together with farm staff at the Old Man Plains (OMP) Research Station, are running an Artificial Insemination (AI) program to introduce new genetics to the OMP research cattle herd.

Oval Office boost for mine in Centre

Anthony Albanese and Donald Trump this morning signed a USD$100m equity investment in the Arafura Nolans rare earths project at Aileron, 135 km north of Alice Springs. "Once operational, this project will produce 5 per cent of global rare earths - essential for energy security and defence," says a statement from the Prime Minister.

Indigenous businesses thriving with $5.83 billion in procurement spend: Supply Nation

Supply Nation ... announced a new national milestone with members recording a total of over $5.83 billion in procurement spend with verified Indigenous-owned businesses in the 2024-25 financial year ... Supply Nation’s recently released report The Sleeping Giant Rises found that for every dollar of revenue produced by Indigenous-owned businesses, $3.66 of positive economic and social value was generated into the Australian economy.

Farmland values plateau – After 12 years of uninterrupted growth, prices cool, transactions fall to record low: Bendigo Bank 

Australian farmland values continued to plateau across the first half of 2025 according to the latest report from Bendigo Bank Agribusiness. The national median price of farmland fell to $9,885/ha, representing a minor dip of 3.1 per cent year-on-year.

Cattle theft allegation: Councillor says he co-owns the stock

A member of the Central Desert Regional Council, Clifford Tilmouth has confirmed he is one of three men issued notices to appear in relation to an alleged cattle theft from Alcoota, a property north of Alice Springs, on August 5.

Planting underway for Australian cotton with above average crops expected: Cotton Australia

Planting is underway across most of Australia’s cotton growing regions with some crops already out of the ground in warmer climates while some growers in southern regions are awaiting warmer weather before starting their 2025/26 season. 

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