Creating opportunities and
meeting desert challenges through
partnerships, know-how and innovation
 

About the Desert Knowledge Precinct

The Desert Knowledge Precinct will be a local, national and international focal point for desert knowledge activities.

The 73ha core site will initially contain the Desert Peoples Centre and headquarters for Desert Knowledge Australia and the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), while creating stronger linkages between existing facilities of CSIRO, Yirara College and the NT Government Departments in the Arid Zone Research Institute.

As a large capital investment by the Northern Territory Government in Central Australia, the Desert Knowledge Precinct will protect and enhance the attractive natural environment during development and will have a strong visual connection with the iconic MacDonnell Ranges in Alice Springs.

Download the Desert Knowledge Precinct fact sheet here.

The Desert Peoples Centre, at the head of the courtyard is an exciting cooperative initiative of Batchelor Institute for Indigenous Tertiary Education and the Centre for Appropriate Technology for the delivery of post-secondary education and training for Aboriginal students. A major initiative of Indigenous people, it will work to further education and economic aspirations of Aboriginal people throughout desert Australia. The centre will include campus facilities at the Precinct with a network of remote study centres located across desert communities.

Desert Knowledge Australia is a networking organisation that is building opportunities to diversify the economy of desert Australia though gathering, sharing, developing and marketing the knowledge of desert people.

The Desert Knowledge CRC is a collaboration of the Northern Territory Government, 28 other partners from across Australia and the Commonwealth Government to research towards desert solutions to key issues such as natural resource management, community viability, governance and integrated regional business systems for regional development. The $90 million program over seven years will have its head office within the precinct.

The Desert Knowledge Business and Innovation Centre will provide a meeting place within the Precinct as well as headquarters for Desert Knowledge Australia and the Desert Knowledge CRC. It will be the centre for a developing network of business and research activities across inland Australia with some initial steps also being made at an international level. Work space will be made available for visiting scientists including university academic staff and post graduate students. It will have video conferencing facilities, meeting rooms, interpretive displays and a coffee shop - all necessary ingredients for a vibrant Precinct.

Extreme care is being taken to preserve the natural character of the Precinct and especially in minimising impact on the large corkwood trees and other vegetation. Ecologically sustainable development is a central feature of the construction program with buildings designed to minimise energy and water requirements. Building clusters of the Precinct will radiate from a major 150m central courtyard that will be the focus for a developing a “knowledge community” for Alice Springs.

Proposed subsequent Stage Two development includes a Shared Library, which would be the knowledge centre of the Precinct. Designed for the co-location of several libraries it would be a significant element of the central courtyard complex.

Creation of a Living Desert Centre will also be considered for Stage Two development at the Precinct. It would showcase people of desert Australia, their lives, livelihoods, culture and interactions with the natural environment, celebrating the contemporary interface between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal cultures, providing an opportunity for visitors and tourists to experience the vibrant artistic and knowledge capacities of the central Australian region.

 

Profile and Impact

  • The Precinct provides a focus for engagement/partnerships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in knowledge-related activities and business development.

  • It will be an exciting new watershed development for Alice Springs confirming it in the forefront of knowledge development and the emerging knowledge economy.

  • The site will have a strong visual impact from both the ground and the air. People flying into and out of the Alice will see the circle motifs and the broader development area.

  • The front entrance on the Stuart Highway will provide a striking entry into Alice Springs that in many ways complements that of Heavitree Gap.

  • There will be a strong visual impact of ochre road surface, divided highway and street lighting and banners.People will drive through the Precinct rather than past it.

  • The Precinct will be a national icon depicting the efforts of desert Australians to enhance their livelihoods by engaging with the world.

  • The Precinct will build on the international context of Desert Knowledge Australia and the Desert Knowledge CRC through partnerships and collaboration with international agencies like the Desert Research Institute of Nevada and the University of Texas.