It is with great pleasure that Central Desert announce that Cecilia Alfonso has been elected unopposed as Central Desert Regional Council's newest Councillor to represent the Southern Tanami Ward.

The Southern Tanami Ward covers the communities of Nyirripi, Willowra and Yuendumu. The vacancy in the Southern Tanami Ward occurred due to the resignation of Cr Robert Robertson. Cr Robertson has left the Council in order to dedicate his time to the Yuendumu Mediation and Justice Committee. Nominations for the vacancy closed at 12 PM today and Cecilia Alfonso has been elected unopposed.

Cr Alfonso is a long time resident of Yuendumu and is the Manager of the Warlukurlangu Artists. Currently the Deputy Chair of the Yuendumu Local Authority, Cr Alfonso has used much of her time on the Local Authority over the past year trying to help to improve community life in Yuendumu. Now with the opportunity to step up and represent the Southern Tanami Ward on the Regional Council, we are sure that Cr Alfonso will provide some great insight and inspiration to ensure the Central Desert Region continues growing from strength to strength.

"The Council is delighted to see Local Authority members putting their hands up for roles on Council" President Adrian Dixon said "Cecilia's extensive involvement in the Yuendumu Local Authority provides her with a good understanding of the function of Council and will bring a strong voice to the Southern Tanami region and to the Council."

Please join us in making Cr Alfonso welcome in her new role.

Central Desert Regional Council is proud to be selected by the NT Government as the contractor to upgrade 43 houses at Nyirripi community, starting immediately.

CEO Cathryn Hutton said 'Nyirripi community members made it clear to Government that they wanted maximum involvement of their people in the upgrades. Council is ideally placed to do that by employing Works team members and RJCP work-for-the-dole participants in the upgrade works. They will work side-by-side with contracted tradespeople, learning valuable on-the-job skills. We are also delivering formal Certificate II Construction Pathways training to those staff in a collaboration with Ngurratjuta RJCP and the Centre for Appropriate Technology".

Council expects that 30% of the works will be done by local Indigenous employees. Works are part of the National Partnership Agreement on Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory.

Upgrade works include cleaning, painting inside and out, tiling, redoing plumbing, installing pantries, and ensuring buildings are lockable and safe.

Media Contact: Glenn Marshall - Director Works and Infrastructure 8958 9500