Your host
Greetings from the Mayor of Alice Springs
I welcome you to Alice Springs, the heart of Australia, located as it is, almost exactly at the geographical centre. There is so much about Alice Springs that makes us unique, the people, the environment and our cultural heritage.
Alice Springs is an important service centre for the whole of Central Australia, with road, rail, and air transport services playing a vital role in supporting our vibrant desert community. One of the first modes of transport into Alice Springs was the camel trains of the Afghan Cameleers to deliver essential provisions. In 1872 the completion of the Overland Telegraph Line from Adelaide to Darwin was heralded as the end of isolation for Central Australia.
Alice Springs is a diverse community of many cultures. The Central Arrernte people are the traditional owners of Mparntwe (Alice Springs) with Indigenous residents making up almost one third of the population. The town of Alice Springs is the largest in Central Australia, servicing surrounding mining, pastoral and Indigenous communities, defence facilities and thousands of tourists every year.
The National Local Roads and Transport Congress, now in its seventh year, is quite simply the most important annual local government transport forum, bringing together more than 400 delegates from across Australia. The Congress plays a key role in assisting us to build on our long term strategies for our national road network and will allow us to showcase the progress we have already made.
An issue that will be actively debated and endorsed is a local roads and transport strategy, which will form the basis of local government’s policy platform for the 2007 federal election. Key political decision makers will see first hand local government’s determination to formulate an achievable program on future road funding and on transport issues.
The Congress will facilitate the necessary discussion and exchange of ideas to develop strategies that will ensure our roads continue to support and sustain the nation’s economy into the future.
While you are in town I hope that you will also take the time to explore and enjoy the many unique attractions such as the Road Transport Hall of Fame, the many art galleries, our award winning Desert Park and the breathtaking desert scenery.
I look forward to meeting you and hope you will enjoy your stay as you sample the diversity and uniqueness of this special town in the heart of Australia.
Fran Kilgariff
Mayor, Alice Springs
