Spirits are sky high in Nyirripi community with smiles all around as housing upgrades contracted to Central Desert Regional Council by the NT Department of Housing are well underway.

The first two of 43 houses have been given a complete transformation and were handed back to tenants by the Department of Housing on Tuesday.

Marveled by her newly renovated home was Valerie Morris was the first recipient of an upgraded house..

Council CEO Cathryn Hutton said 'Community members have been strongly involved with the upgrades to date. One of the houses has been allocated as a Training House that RJCP participants and local Council staff are working on, guided by a trainer from the Centre for Appropriate Technology and by Council's building contractor, Roustabout Construction. The participants are learning valuable skills and are taking pride in being involved in their own upgrades'.

'Council is proud to be a local entity using Alice Springs contractors and local community members to upgrade houses in Nyirripi, making the community bright and vibrant.' said President Adrian Dixon.

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For more information please contact Glenn Marshall, Director Works & Infrastructure on 8958 9520.

Photo shows the handing back of keys to happy Nyirripi resident, Valerie Morris
Pictured L to R: Ian Hackett (Roustabout Construction); Ben Gallagher (Chairperson Nyirripi Local Authority); Yeni Ubels (NT Dept Housing); Valerie Morris (tenant); Kathy Satour (Council Services Manager)

Central Desert Regional Council Safety Patrols will again be on hand to help keep Alice Springs safe this weekend.

With a big weekend of events planned for the start of September, Community Patrols from Yuendumu, Laramba and Atitjere will work with Police and Tangentyere Night Patrol to keep the peace and ensure everyone has an enjoyable weekend.

Central Desert CEO Cathryn Hutton said that the Patrol crews will assist in getting people off the streets, returning visitors to their accommodation and providing early intervention to reduce trouble.

"With the Bush Bands Bash, the footy finals, Desert Festival and Red Centre Nats all on the weekend there'll be plenty of people visiting Alice Springs. We want to ensure visitors from across the Centre behave, remain safe and enjoy themselves." Ms Hutton said.

Central Desert Regional Council President Adrian Dixon says that the Council's continuing commitment to Alice Springs' safety is part of being a good neighbour. "The Council willingly sends its crews into Alice for these events when we can. Our patrollers play a really important role in helping Police maintain peace and order." Mr Dixon said.

The support provided by The Central Desert Regional Council comes on top of assistance provided during the Easter Carnival, the Port Adelaide versus Melbourne AFL Game and the Alice Springs Show weekend. This weekend's commitment from the Central Desert Regional Council comes at a cost of approximately $15,000.

The Central Desert Regional Council Community Safety Patrol Program is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet.

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For more information contact: John Gaynor on 8958 9570.