Flood warning prone to failure



The “modern technology” used to predict flooding in Alice Springs, that Minister for Central Australia and Environment Minister Karl Hampton seems happy to rely upon, is vulnerable to technical failure. River gauges measuring the depth of the flow have previously broken down and in any case are not useful for predicting flooding from an intense and sudden downpour when rain gauges are more useful. They too are liable to failure. They did not work during the 1988 flood (picture above by Hans Boessem, Todd Camera Store) which means the modeling for a feared Q100 (one in 100 years flood) is imprecise. KIERAN FINNANE reports. Full story»


Shock report: Macklin bails out CAAMA



Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, will bail out the Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA), revealed exclusively by the Alice Springs News online edition on Thursday last week to be in serious financial difficulties.
A report by its auditors obtained by the Alice Springs News suggested “uncertainty as to whether the organisation can continue to operate”.
It appears costs for refurbishing of the former Imparja building in Leichhardt Terrace (pictured) are a major part of CAAMA’s problems.
A spokesperson for Ms Macklin says: “The Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association will receive $636,000 under the Aboriginals Benefit Account.
“This funding will enable CAAMA to renovate a commercial property for lease and provide an income stream that will be invested back into providing media services for Aboriginal people.
“This meets with the Major Economic Program funding category of the ABA funding guidelines.”
The News contacted Ms Macklin, Arts Minister Peter Garrett (providing ongoing funding to CAAMA), Communications Minister Stephen Conroy and MHR for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon.
We put to them that CAAMA has significant assets – including its majority share in Imparja Television – and asked why should CAAMA be bailed out by the taxpayer.
Why are they not obliged to operate like most businesses, namely without constant government support?
What is the community benefit flowing from the government funding for CAAMA? 
We received no responses from the politicians. ERWIN CHLANDA reports. Full story»


Seven to two vote for revised by-laws



Graffiti like these in Ghan Road this week will need to be cleaned up by the property owners if the new town council by-laws are passed. Photo RAINER CHLANDA.

The most controversial of the Town Council’s public places by-laws, given the thumbs-up in a seven to two vote on Monday, have been modified, and are now likely to be ratified.
Begging is treated within a new by-law, along with urinating or defecating, spitting and swearing. The word "begging" is no longer being used, but it will be an offence to cause a nuisance to another person by “asking for alcohol, cigarettes or money”.
The impounding and disposal of abandoned items by-law remains, but the “authorised person” enforcing the by-law will have to act in accordance with written guidelines.
The earlier version of this by-law led to a raft of hysterical news items around the world about homeless people having their blankets stripped from them in the middle of freezing nights, but only 16 submissions were received on the subject. KIERAN FINNANE reports. Full story»





Friday reel to reel

This week Pop Vulture is a travelling film maker,  mentally documenting everything seen and heard, and drawing up a storyboard for a future film, documentary / mockumentary, together with shot list, camera techniques and direction where the inspired is required. Full story»



A Letters to the Editor writer calls for a humane harvest of camels, instead of a holocaust. Adam's Apple provides useful hints to avoid Silly Season Burnout. Full text» 


TO OUR MANY LETTER WRITERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD: WE PUBLISH MANY OF YOUR COMMENTS - KEEP THEM COMING!
E-mail alicenews@ozemail.com.au

All material on this site is Copyright of Alice Springs News and Erwin Chlanda Pty Ltd, and must not be published or distribted in part or whole without permission of Erwin Chlanda Pty Ltd.  Tel Australia 08 89 555444.

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OUR PRINT EDITION ADVERTISING SECTION THIS WEEK FEATURES A SEVEN PAGE SUPPLEMENT CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF TRADING BY RACE MOTORCYCLES IN ALICE SPRINGS.

Check out the circulation of the Alice Springs News: Our patch
is one million square kilometers.