Robert Jennings is CEO of Alice Springs Town Council, which operates facilities including waste management, an aquatic and leisure centre and vibrant library for a population of over 30,000.

Our community has faced several challenges because of COVID-19, such as the closure of the Alice Springs Aquatic and Leisure Centre, Public Library and the Civic Centre reception.

In response to the way local businesses have had to adapt their way of operating, Council has developed a “Locals Supporting Locals” single-source webpage. It allows the community to look up information on local businesses, their hours of operation, contact details, and menus/flyers. This page is supported by a bulletin page to help acknowledge some of the great initiatives that have been established within the community, and to share key resources.

While our facilities may be closed, our teams remain active and are finding new ways to service our community. The library has launched a “Book’a’Book” takeaway and delivery service and switched its programs to online channels, while our Youth Action Group moved the Youth Recycled Art Prize exhibition to an online platform, leading to the largest number of entrants to date.

The safety of our community is Council’s number one priority. As a result, we have implemented a range of measures based on the advice of the Australian Government, the Northern Territory Department of Health, and the Northern Territory Chief Minister regarding a community response to COVID-19.

Robert Jennings
Chief Executive Officer
Alice Springs Town Council