[ 13/03/2009 ]
Minister for Regional Development, Karl Hampton has today celebrated the establishment of the Tennant Creek Foundation, a new business initiative which aims to provide employment opportunities and protect local cultural icons.
“The foundation’s first role was to take over the management and operations of the Battery Hill Mining Centre and the Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Culture Centre, to ensure both operations become commercially focused,” Mr Hampton said.
“These two facilities are economically, historically and culturally important to the community of Tennant Creek, and the Henderson Government has taken this step to ensure their long term sustainability.
“Both centres provide employment to local people and are popular tourist attractions as well as storing some of region’s cultural history.
“The NT Government has committed $258 000 per annum for two years to support this initiative which is a significant investment in The Tennant Creek region.
“I look forward to seeing both of these centres flourish under new management and operational systems.”
Mr Hampton said the Tennant Creek Foundation had been established with significant community input and would work with locals to investigate other opportunities for economic development in the region.
“I’d like to thank the Foundation’s Chief Executive Elliot McAdam and the Board of Directors for their work in getting Nyinkka Nyunyu and Battery Hill ready for the approaching tourist season,” Mr Hampton said.
The Member for Barkly Gerry McCarthy has welcomed the Foundations launch today.
“These local icons encourage people to learn and understand more about the region’s culture, history and Indigenous languages, while giving visitors another reason to spend more time exploring Tennant Creek and the region,” said Mr McCarthy.