It might soon be time for Australia’s wandering grey nomads to brush up on their geography knowledge … at least it will be if some South Australian ‘rebels’ have their way.
The iconic Outback town of William Creek is saying it wants to secede from South Australia and become part of the Northern Territory!
Famed for its character-filled pub – and its flies – the tiny community near Lake Eyre says the South Australian Government has long neglected it, particularly in relation to tourism initiatives.
“The only time we see the suits out of Adelaide is when they want something or they’re on a public relations campaign,” Outback pilot, Trevor Wright, told the ABC . “We are thinking about developing a passport system for William Creek, and displaying the NT emblem on it.”
Mr Wright says Alice Springs is the main regional centre for supplies for his aviation business, a mere 830 kilometre drive.
“The Territory is very iconic when it comes to the outback,” he said. “We see the Territory as much more focused and proactive when it comes to tourism and geographically we’re much more aligned to the Territory, its culture and its people.”
Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles welcomed the William Creek initiative, saying it was unsurprising that a “down south” town wanted to join the NT.
“If South Australia is happy to neglect a significant tourism attraction, we’ll happily take it off their hands,” he said. “Get us a map and a pencil and we’ll start drawing lines.”
And the move-the-border campaign could start to spread. Certainly, there is an acknowledgement in outback South Australia that its own prosperity relies heavily on a vibrant and strong tourism industry in Central Australia.”
“We need a strong Alice Springs to continue our success here,” Coober Pedy Old Timers Mine operator Trevor Berry said. “Our visitors are people travelling not to here, but making the most of the chance to visit here on their way to the great attractions Central Australia has to offer.”
Not surprisingly, South Australia is less excited about the idea of change. Tourism Minister Leon Bignell simply saying he could understand why the Northern Territory would want to “pinch” some of South Australia’s amazing tourism experiences.
So, do you think it’s about time some of the state borders were shifted around? Should Coffs Harbour and the Big Banana become part of Queensland? Should Kununurra, which lies 829 km from Darwin and 3,205km form Perth, become part of the Territory? Should Broken Hill become part of South Australia? Which border changes would you like to see? Comment below.
NT should revert back to the early 1900s when it was part of South Australia
The Kimberley Region is way too good to belong to WA it should be part of a Top End State, if not, at least the NT. Everything about Kununurra and the Kimberley (even Derby!) screams NT and Darwin as its ‘Centre”. Perhaps we should look at everything above the Tropic of Capricorn as being ‘another State’ !!
Why, Mike and Trish, is the Kimberley too good to belong to WA?
with a map like that th Territory will finally be called by it’s proper name
Th Territory.
Perhaps SA should be part of the Northern Territory? SA seems incapable of many things besides tourism initiatives north of Pt Augusta.