Alice Springs and Katherine local news briefing, September 21, 2026 - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Here's what's making news in Alice Springs and Katherine today.

Northern Territory police say a man is in a serious condition awaiting for surgery in Alice Springs Hospital after a crash on the Ross Highway last night.

Acting Senior Sergeant Karl Marcic said witnesses saw a silver Toyota Prado travelling north on the highway "at speed" before it left the road and crashed into a gum tree near a roundabout around 11pm.

He said the driver was the sole occupant and was extricated from the vehicle after what police described as a serious crash.

The Central Land Council (CLC) says the Northern Territory government did not properly consult it about the Alice Springs Water Allocation Plan.

Minister for Environment and Water Joshua Burgoyne said allocations for the Aboriginal Water Reserve were incorrectly calculated in the draft plan, but the department later met CLC representatives and updated the figures in the final plan released last month.

CLC general manager Josie Douglas said one meeting did not amount to proper consultation.

The Arid Lands Environment Centre welcomed stronger Todd River protections, but said they should have covered a wider area.

An Alice Springs cafe owner says Labor's migration overhaul could make it harder to retain backpacker staff after businesses have invested time and money in training them.

Backpacker numbers will be slashed and visa eligibility tightened under the federal government's immigration changes announced last week, raising fears in regions that rely on holidaying workers.

Goods Coffee Shop owner Jonny Rowden said the changes were "a bit scary" and he wanted the government to better explain its rationale.

A squad of 11 First Nations runners has been in Alice Springs for the Indigenous Marathon Project's 30-kilometre New York City Marathon selection run.

The project is in its 17th year and is a six-month education, health and leadership program that uses long-distance running to build personal growth and resilience.

Founder and world champion marathoner Rob de Castella said it was about leadership and creating long-lasting impact.

He said the aim was to empower young emerging leaders to help drive change.