LETTER TO THE EDITOR: The new Northern Australia Conservation Alliance says the long-running push to “develop the north” continues to direct public money and water towards industrial projects with poor economic, social and environmental outcomes.

PHOTO Singleton Groundwater, © Mike Gillam.

Over years I have observed termites exploiting buffel grass as an abundant food resource, writes ALEX NELSON.

Yesterday’s online “national launch” of Buffel Bulldozer dealt with facts that have been in the public arena for decades, presented virtually no researched, costed solutions for dealing with the infernal weed (except declaring it as a weed), and failed to include two major players – the tourism and pastoral industries. By ERWIN CHLANDA.

There is no doubt about it. Just when we thought our Northern Territory government could do no more to make us safer, they pull another rabbit out of the hat. NT Labor doesn’t stand a chance. FRANK BAARDA Musical Dispatch from the Front.

Work is officially starting today on the Arafura Rare Earths Nolans Project, 135km north of Alice Springs, in which Canberra is investing $1.2 billion of the $1.6 billion cost, according to Madeleine King, Federal Minister for Resources and Northern Australia. ERWIN CHLANDA reports.

An online national meeting tomorrow afternoon will be an opportunity for taking a critical look at Buffel Bulldozer, a report by the Arid Lands Environment Centre in Alice Springs about the devastating weed taking over much of The Centre. The organisation wants action Australia-wide. By ERWIN CHLANDA

Artwork to be unveiled at the Uniting Church lawns in Todd Mall: “I like it” or “I don’t like it”. Tell the town.

Half a century ago both the Federal Government and the Northern Territory administration began to move the pioneering tourism town at Uluru – then Ayers Rock – because excessive human presence was seen as a treat to the environment near the monolith. Now the Feds are spending $122m to consolidate the Aboriginal community Mutitjulu that has grown to 300 people and “ensuring the community has the infrastructure it needs for the future". ERWIN CHLANDA reports.

PHOTO above: The dotted line shows the approximate location and size of the original tourism facility at the Rock.

For the recent centenary anniversary celebrations, KIERAN FINNANE took a look at aspects of Adelaide House’s opening ceremony held in June 1926, particularly as evidenced by this intriguing photo of the occasion.

Three times as many cops, twice as many violent crimes. Is the offending – police – prison system working for us? ERWIN CHLANDA looks at strategies claimed to be superior.