1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:02,679 Speaker 1: Now, of course there's plenty going on around the place. 2 00:00:02,759 --> 00:00:05,400 Speaker 1: Joining me live in the studio is the Lord Mayor 3 00:00:05,440 --> 00:00:08,280 Speaker 1: of Darwin Combat Scarlet's Good morning, Conn, good. 4 00:00:08,119 --> 00:00:11,520 Speaker 2: Morning, and what a great weekend it was. And I'm 5 00:00:11,560 --> 00:00:14,320 Speaker 2: saying great not because who want the elections, but we 6 00:00:14,400 --> 00:00:18,480 Speaker 2: had the elections. It was all decided. Everything went quiet 7 00:00:18,480 --> 00:00:21,280 Speaker 2: on Sunday. And look at America, what's happening. And look 8 00:00:21,320 --> 00:00:23,520 Speaker 2: at Australia. We are leading the way. I take my 9 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:26,200 Speaker 2: heart off to all the people put their hands up 10 00:00:26,680 --> 00:00:29,520 Speaker 2: and let's stood for election. Because a tough gig and 11 00:00:29,560 --> 00:00:31,159 Speaker 2: you have to run around the country or round your 12 00:00:31,200 --> 00:00:33,640 Speaker 2: election for a long time. I don't envy. Look, I 13 00:00:33,680 --> 00:00:37,479 Speaker 2: know how hard you work, and I congratulate whoever won, 14 00:00:37,920 --> 00:00:40,320 Speaker 2: and I also gratulate whoever lost because the fact that 15 00:00:40,360 --> 00:00:43,560 Speaker 2: you put your hand up to represent your community. It's great, guys, 16 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:47,480 Speaker 2: I really really appreciate your effort. There are no winners 17 00:00:47,520 --> 00:00:49,919 Speaker 2: or newses here. We're all winners as a community. We're 18 00:00:49,960 --> 00:00:50,479 Speaker 2: all winners. 19 00:00:50,960 --> 00:00:53,720 Speaker 1: Now, Corn, can I say something very quickly because there's 20 00:00:53,840 --> 00:00:54,760 Speaker 1: lots of issues. 21 00:00:55,440 --> 00:00:59,160 Speaker 2: I'm very sad to see that Brian Winspear passed away. Yeah, 22 00:01:00,160 --> 00:01:02,600 Speaker 2: age of one, hundred and four years old. Yeah, Ryan 23 00:01:02,720 --> 00:01:04,800 Speaker 2: came here to down on twenty years old and he 24 00:01:04,959 --> 00:01:07,560 Speaker 2: was here during the bombom of Darwin. He died peacefully. 25 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:10,120 Speaker 2: He awarded the other of US ninety three and he 26 00:01:10,200 --> 00:01:13,200 Speaker 2: nearly attended all the bombing of Dublin events. 27 00:01:14,600 --> 00:01:15,280 Speaker 1: Was chirpy, he. 28 00:01:15,480 --> 00:01:19,479 Speaker 2: Was healthy, he was great for Australia. We will never 29 00:01:19,520 --> 00:01:22,880 Speaker 2: forget you, Darwin, will never forget your efforts in your sacrifice. 30 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:27,200 Speaker 1: May he rest in peace. Indeed, now Corn these works 31 00:01:27,200 --> 00:01:30,160 Speaker 1: on Smith Straight, they are having a massive impact on 32 00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:32,880 Speaker 1: local businesses. On Friday last week, I was joined by 33 00:01:32,920 --> 00:01:35,640 Speaker 1: the owners of McCarn stop who said that their night 34 00:01:35,880 --> 00:01:38,880 Speaker 1: trade had dropped forty percent as a result. Now I 35 00:01:38,959 --> 00:01:40,880 Speaker 1: decided to go down there for dinner on the weekend 36 00:01:40,920 --> 00:01:44,480 Speaker 1: to get a better understanding. And it was quiet, like 37 00:01:44,959 --> 00:01:47,560 Speaker 1: there were people not even walking on that side of 38 00:01:47,600 --> 00:01:50,800 Speaker 1: the road because it looked like it was closed. They've 39 00:01:50,840 --> 00:01:54,040 Speaker 1: now made the tough decision not to continue their dinner 40 00:01:54,160 --> 00:01:57,720 Speaker 1: trade as a result of this first off, When is 41 00:01:57,760 --> 00:01:59,480 Speaker 1: that work going to be complete? 42 00:01:59,800 --> 00:02:02,720 Speaker 2: Well, this is the thing. We if people want a 43 00:02:02,720 --> 00:02:05,280 Speaker 2: green city in Core City, want trees, we have to 44 00:02:05,280 --> 00:02:07,240 Speaker 2: do it. But in order to do it, yes, we 45 00:02:07,320 --> 00:02:09,839 Speaker 2: have to disrupt something. The one thing we're actually doing 46 00:02:09,840 --> 00:02:12,359 Speaker 2: now very quickly. That area in front of the shops 47 00:02:12,639 --> 00:02:14,960 Speaker 2: is going to finish at mid of June. We have 48 00:02:14,960 --> 00:02:17,800 Speaker 2: brought it forward. It will look quick, working as quickly 49 00:02:17,840 --> 00:02:19,400 Speaker 2: as possible, and we expect to. 50 00:02:19,360 --> 00:02:22,280 Speaker 1: Feel because June said, you know that they're literally in 51 00:02:22,280 --> 00:02:24,720 Speaker 1: a situation where. 52 00:02:24,960 --> 00:02:27,360 Speaker 2: I asked my CEO to actually make sure that the 53 00:02:27,560 --> 00:02:31,360 Speaker 2: capital and I she assured me, and so many plans 54 00:02:31,520 --> 00:02:34,560 Speaker 2: that is going to be finishing the latest mid of June, 55 00:02:34,720 --> 00:02:37,280 Speaker 2: and if possible earlier. We're really working as hard as 56 00:02:37,280 --> 00:02:40,400 Speaker 2: we can. We understand the problems. Now. I can't do 57 00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:43,720 Speaker 2: the work want me to do it without actually to 58 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:46,680 Speaker 2: create some disruption. But I tell you what, we try 59 00:02:46,720 --> 00:02:49,239 Speaker 2: to do as quickly as possible. I sympathize with them 60 00:02:49,600 --> 00:02:50,120 Speaker 2: the same thing. 61 00:02:50,200 --> 00:02:51,000 Speaker 1: Don't have a chat too. 62 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:54,200 Speaker 2: I did yesterday walk down half the shops were closed 63 00:02:54,200 --> 00:02:56,560 Speaker 2: because of not only in the in Smith Street, but 64 00:02:56,600 --> 00:03:00,480 Speaker 2: also in the rain Tree Park my office. Go and 65 00:03:00,520 --> 00:03:02,560 Speaker 2: talk to them. I want people to go and talk 66 00:03:02,600 --> 00:03:04,760 Speaker 2: to them and actually they understand and they can tell 67 00:03:04,760 --> 00:03:05,480 Speaker 2: them exactly. 68 00:03:05,240 --> 00:03:07,680 Speaker 1: How they pro it was well, it was. It was terrible. 69 00:03:07,840 --> 00:03:10,320 Speaker 1: On the weekend like I thought to myself, it literally 70 00:03:10,360 --> 00:03:12,799 Speaker 1: looks like the whole that whole side of the street 71 00:03:12,880 --> 00:03:15,520 Speaker 1: is closed off. I get that that work needs to happen, 72 00:03:15,560 --> 00:03:18,280 Speaker 1: but for those businesses, I think you you know, like 73 00:03:18,360 --> 00:03:21,440 Speaker 1: you're talking about businesses that this is like it's having 74 00:03:21,480 --> 00:03:23,960 Speaker 1: an extreme impact. And I get that the greater good 75 00:03:24,440 --> 00:03:26,560 Speaker 1: is to try and green it and to make it nicer. 76 00:03:26,639 --> 00:03:29,520 Speaker 1: But right now, if there, if work's not even happening, 77 00:03:29,600 --> 00:03:32,760 Speaker 1: like over the course of the weekend and things are 78 00:03:32,800 --> 00:03:34,480 Speaker 1: sitting there like it was that part of the deal 79 00:03:34,560 --> 00:03:36,520 Speaker 1: that no after hours work happened. 80 00:03:36,600 --> 00:03:38,520 Speaker 2: No, we're trying to do as much as possible with 81 00:03:38,520 --> 00:03:40,640 Speaker 2: the availability of the workforce. I had exactly the same 82 00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:44,520 Speaker 2: complaints when we did the Governor Street. Both sides. People says, oh, 83 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:48,400 Speaker 2: you're just pruting, are a tread I know, I do, 84 00:03:48,600 --> 00:03:50,520 Speaker 2: because this is the work we have to do, and 85 00:03:50,640 --> 00:03:53,880 Speaker 2: you can't just do it all of a sudden one 86 00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:57,560 Speaker 2: weekend text time. But you we understand that one people 87 00:03:57,560 --> 00:03:59,240 Speaker 2: working as hard as possible to bring it to it 88 00:03:59,360 --> 00:04:00,560 Speaker 2: and us weekly. 89 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:01,880 Speaker 1: So it's going to be expedited. 90 00:04:02,120 --> 00:04:05,320 Speaker 2: Yes, already spoke to spoke to the people, spoke to 91 00:04:05,320 --> 00:04:07,880 Speaker 2: my CEO. So you spoke to the to the people 92 00:04:07,920 --> 00:04:10,240 Speaker 2: are doing the work we're trying to bring forward us. 93 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:13,120 Speaker 1: Is there any way as well that some signs can 94 00:04:13,160 --> 00:04:15,560 Speaker 1: be put up to let people know that there are 95 00:04:15,600 --> 00:04:17,800 Speaker 1: still businesses that are behind that fence. 96 00:04:18,040 --> 00:04:20,720 Speaker 2: We put signs, we point out where the business are, 97 00:04:20,880 --> 00:04:22,200 Speaker 2: like the Hotel Darwin. 98 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:24,240 Speaker 1: You know, so they're already there. 99 00:04:23,920 --> 00:04:26,680 Speaker 2: Pointing out to them what it is. And in either side, 100 00:04:26,960 --> 00:04:30,400 Speaker 2: I know the fence is terrible, but again we we 101 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:32,440 Speaker 2: have to we have to actually protect the public. 102 00:04:33,279 --> 00:04:35,440 Speaker 1: I get that, but it's also like you know, you 103 00:04:35,880 --> 00:04:38,320 Speaker 1: do have to make sure that those businesses are looked 104 00:04:38,360 --> 00:04:39,240 Speaker 1: after in some way. 105 00:04:39,440 --> 00:04:41,880 Speaker 2: Also we are and we're trying to That's why actually 106 00:04:41,880 --> 00:04:44,800 Speaker 2: we're trying to expededucts as much as possible. Kid, And look, 107 00:04:45,160 --> 00:04:48,200 Speaker 2: we understand that, and I understand that because I live 108 00:04:48,240 --> 00:04:50,680 Speaker 2: in the city and our walk there. But as I 109 00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:53,400 Speaker 2: do before, you remember when we're doing the work in 110 00:04:53,480 --> 00:04:55,760 Speaker 2: Daily Street just behind you, we had to disrupt a 111 00:04:55,760 --> 00:04:57,760 Speaker 2: lot of things and people were upset and all. Then 112 00:04:57,839 --> 00:04:59,360 Speaker 2: when it's done, people says. 113 00:04:59,279 --> 00:05:01,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, exc it didn't look like a jial down here 114 00:05:01,760 --> 00:05:05,320 Speaker 1: on Daily Straight though it was different. It was different. Yeah, 115 00:05:05,360 --> 00:05:07,800 Speaker 1: but like but on a street where it's literally got 116 00:05:07,800 --> 00:05:09,080 Speaker 1: retailers and businesses. 117 00:05:09,080 --> 00:05:11,200 Speaker 2: It looks like to park the equipment on the street 118 00:05:11,240 --> 00:05:14,039 Speaker 2: as well there and that's actually creating other problems people 119 00:05:14,080 --> 00:05:17,000 Speaker 2: break into equipment or trying to damage their anti el. Yeah, 120 00:05:17,040 --> 00:05:19,840 Speaker 2: and I understand that, but as I year, we want 121 00:05:19,880 --> 00:05:22,440 Speaker 2: to do something nice and when it finishes, people will say, 122 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:25,000 Speaker 2: well that was worth Hopefully. 123 00:05:24,600 --> 00:05:27,280 Speaker 1: Those businesses are still there to be able to say 124 00:05:27,279 --> 00:05:28,240 Speaker 1: that afterwards. 125 00:05:28,360 --> 00:05:30,840 Speaker 2: I believe that the business would be there well known 126 00:05:30,880 --> 00:05:33,920 Speaker 2: to the community, and the community were stunde by them. 127 00:05:34,279 --> 00:05:36,719 Speaker 1: Now, I want to ask you about a reported incident 128 00:05:36,760 --> 00:05:40,160 Speaker 1: that happened at the Casuarina bus exchange about a week ago. 129 00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:43,279 Speaker 1: This was reported on I understand the council is doing 130 00:05:43,279 --> 00:05:45,920 Speaker 1: some additional work to try to ensure that people are 131 00:05:45,960 --> 00:05:48,600 Speaker 1: safe around that area, particularly around the library. 132 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:52,960 Speaker 2: That's an interesting thing, Katie. We saw. I saw that 133 00:05:53,120 --> 00:05:57,680 Speaker 2: report in Facebook. Then we're contacted by anti news. We 134 00:05:57,720 --> 00:06:00,599 Speaker 2: spoke to the police. The police has no report an incident. 135 00:06:00,760 --> 00:06:01,719 Speaker 1: So do you reckon it's made us? 136 00:06:01,800 --> 00:06:04,560 Speaker 2: Well, I don't know, because our people in Casurina Library 137 00:06:04,680 --> 00:06:07,920 Speaker 2: did not receive a report of this incident, so I 138 00:06:07,960 --> 00:06:12,080 Speaker 2: don't really know what it is all about because nobody 139 00:06:13,080 --> 00:06:15,760 Speaker 2: apart from that report in Facebook, there's no other evidence. 140 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:18,320 Speaker 2: Now sometimes people who read something in face they take 141 00:06:18,360 --> 00:06:20,880 Speaker 2: it for granted, but I mean, I don't know if 142 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:24,000 Speaker 2: there's no report in our library. 143 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:27,719 Speaker 1: Way different times where people have contacted us about very 144 00:06:27,720 --> 00:06:30,040 Speaker 1: serious incidents that then we've struggled to be able to 145 00:06:30,080 --> 00:06:32,479 Speaker 1: get the info from the Northern Territory Police because of 146 00:06:32,520 --> 00:06:36,359 Speaker 1: their reporting system, not for them wanting to not provide it. 147 00:06:37,080 --> 00:06:40,240 Speaker 1: But so I do wonder though, is there any additional 148 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:40,920 Speaker 1: I would love to. 149 00:06:40,960 --> 00:06:43,080 Speaker 2: Have the people and come talk to us, because you remember, 150 00:06:43,400 --> 00:06:47,400 Speaker 2: the Casuer Library has gotivy, so if there's an insidant, 151 00:06:47,720 --> 00:06:49,320 Speaker 2: they come and tell us. I mean, we can actually 152 00:06:49,360 --> 00:06:52,039 Speaker 2: give the information the police if there's serious incident. We 153 00:06:52,760 --> 00:06:55,880 Speaker 2: have the safety of our clients and our customers paramount, 154 00:06:56,360 --> 00:06:58,520 Speaker 2: no ifs and bud. We want everyone to feel safe, 155 00:06:58,760 --> 00:07:03,560 Speaker 2: even got security in Casual library. And please if you 156 00:07:03,640 --> 00:07:05,920 Speaker 2: got an incident, let us know. We'll go back and 157 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:08,800 Speaker 2: check us if necessary, and we'll provide the formester police. 158 00:07:08,839 --> 00:07:11,120 Speaker 1: All right, let's move on. Call the councils, release the 159 00:07:11,240 --> 00:07:14,400 Speaker 1: municipal plan and the budget. Are the rights going on? 160 00:07:15,280 --> 00:07:17,880 Speaker 2: Two point five percent, which is half of what Parmesan 161 00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:20,960 Speaker 2: does and Alice Springs. We made a conscious decision that 162 00:07:21,000 --> 00:07:23,360 Speaker 2: we will keep the seriates as law as possible because 163 00:07:23,360 --> 00:07:25,960 Speaker 2: we understand the pressures on the cost of living. At 164 00:07:26,000 --> 00:07:28,840 Speaker 2: the same time, we can manage to actually put all 165 00:07:28,880 --> 00:07:31,440 Speaker 2: these services, cutting no services. The only thing we're not 166 00:07:31,480 --> 00:07:35,120 Speaker 2: going to do is overheit the economy. Previous years will 167 00:07:35,160 --> 00:07:37,680 Speaker 2: put a lot of money in the economy, but we 168 00:07:37,720 --> 00:07:41,920 Speaker 2: find out now there's so much work around Dowwin we 169 00:07:42,040 --> 00:07:45,200 Speaker 2: can't find workers in down and contractors. The other thing 170 00:07:45,280 --> 00:07:47,440 Speaker 2: is we already got the a Civic Center going ahead, 171 00:07:47,680 --> 00:07:50,280 Speaker 2: So why we want to put more money out just 172 00:07:50,320 --> 00:07:52,120 Speaker 2: for the sake of putting money when you can't deliver. 173 00:07:52,440 --> 00:07:54,880 Speaker 2: So we decided, right we put a little stop in 174 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:58,280 Speaker 2: what we're doing. Usually keep the savis will provide the same. 175 00:07:58,640 --> 00:08:01,000 Speaker 2: But let's not forget that we're still putting money to 176 00:08:01,040 --> 00:08:03,920 Speaker 2: actually resurface roads. Were putting nine million dollars to look 177 00:08:03,920 --> 00:08:06,240 Speaker 2: after our packs. We put one point nine million dollars 178 00:08:06,360 --> 00:08:09,720 Speaker 2: to resurface our roads. We're putting money to actually fix 179 00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:13,680 Speaker 2: the stormweight trainings that they are vital because we live 180 00:08:13,720 --> 00:08:16,280 Speaker 2: in an environment that can be challenging, so we do 181 00:08:16,360 --> 00:08:19,280 Speaker 2: the usual business. But guys, we're not going to actually 182 00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:23,560 Speaker 2: slug you with a big rate increase just because we 183 00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:25,680 Speaker 2: want to or because we won't save money for the future. 184 00:08:25,840 --> 00:08:27,480 Speaker 2: We can do that when those things are better. 185 00:08:27,560 --> 00:08:29,640 Speaker 1: Con I understand that there is going to be a 186 00:08:29,680 --> 00:08:32,960 Speaker 1: new recreational area in the waters world with Malaca overall 187 00:08:33,040 --> 00:08:37,360 Speaker 1: chosen as the preferred site, but also understand that the 188 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:40,160 Speaker 1: safety and security were key concerns that were raised during 189 00:08:40,240 --> 00:08:43,520 Speaker 1: that community consultation. How is that going to be addressed? 190 00:08:43,679 --> 00:08:47,360 Speaker 2: Well, we actually create a multigenerational creation space in Malak 191 00:08:47,760 --> 00:08:50,199 Speaker 2: and certainly that space would be open to not the 192 00:08:50,320 --> 00:08:53,760 Speaker 2: kids only, but all ages. It's going to be designed 193 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:57,720 Speaker 2: for kids, all the kids, and really really all the kids. 194 00:08:58,240 --> 00:09:00,640 Speaker 2: But we also know the problems. Or we create a 195 00:09:00,679 --> 00:09:04,599 Speaker 2: car park that will be able lighting, there'll be cicityvis 196 00:09:04,640 --> 00:09:06,480 Speaker 2: and everything else to make sure that people are safe 197 00:09:06,640 --> 00:09:08,200 Speaker 2: when they use it, they're going to be safe. The 198 00:09:08,240 --> 00:09:11,240 Speaker 2: other thing we've got is next to it oval which 199 00:09:11,320 --> 00:09:14,440 Speaker 2: actually used nearly every day and when there's activity there 200 00:09:14,480 --> 00:09:16,480 Speaker 2: is no refroff, which is really good. We're trying to 201 00:09:16,520 --> 00:09:20,959 Speaker 2: combine together these activities, for example, to give and I'm 202 00:09:21,280 --> 00:09:24,840 Speaker 2: going ahead now and say, Bandila Park, we're going to 203 00:09:24,880 --> 00:09:29,360 Speaker 2: invite now food trucks to come there to actually sell food, 204 00:09:29,720 --> 00:09:32,720 Speaker 2: so people will go to the activity that's going to 205 00:09:32,760 --> 00:09:37,000 Speaker 2: start soon. Middle of May is my target day. We 206 00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:39,880 Speaker 2: will look at it very well. And what I find 207 00:09:39,880 --> 00:09:43,280 Speaker 2: out now, you know, all the travels we had and 208 00:09:43,280 --> 00:09:46,640 Speaker 2: everything else. Now I noticed in Facebook people says, wow, 209 00:09:46,760 --> 00:09:50,920 Speaker 2: Vandila Park looks good. Oh look a look, that statue 210 00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:53,600 Speaker 2: really really revolves when it's it's the wind blows. It 211 00:09:53,640 --> 00:09:57,760 Speaker 2: looks really good. So people's views change when actually see 212 00:09:57,800 --> 00:09:58,480 Speaker 2: the final product. 213 00:09:58,960 --> 00:10:00,559 Speaker 1: All have to go and have a look. Hey, con 214 00:10:00,640 --> 00:10:03,800 Speaker 1: a really quick one from Pedro. He'd message last week 215 00:10:03,840 --> 00:10:06,000 Speaker 1: and said Katie Mahart goes out to those vendors on 216 00:10:06,040 --> 00:10:11,200 Speaker 1: Smith Street. Unfortunately their nightmare may continue. When well, it 217 00:10:11,240 --> 00:10:15,200 Speaker 1: may continue even after construction. Inns he reckons in daily street. 218 00:10:15,240 --> 00:10:17,480 Speaker 1: Two street lanes get closed for the whole day every 219 00:10:17,520 --> 00:10:20,240 Speaker 1: few weeks to safely maintain the garden beds. 220 00:10:20,320 --> 00:10:23,600 Speaker 2: Is that the case, not every too, not every two weeks, 221 00:10:23,600 --> 00:10:26,840 Speaker 2: so it usually happens every month. By monthly we have 222 00:10:26,960 --> 00:10:29,079 Speaker 2: to do it. And that's actually done only for one 223 00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:31,840 Speaker 2: day or half a day we try to maintain them. 224 00:10:32,000 --> 00:10:34,120 Speaker 2: We don't want to spend all this money beautifying and 225 00:10:34,160 --> 00:10:38,199 Speaker 2: then let them die. We have to detect maintenance. It's 226 00:10:38,240 --> 00:10:41,280 Speaker 2: a fact of life. If we don't do it, probably 227 00:10:41,360 --> 00:10:43,320 Speaker 2: better will complain that the pleasure looks terrible, and I 228 00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:44,040 Speaker 2: will agree with you. 229 00:10:44,280 --> 00:10:46,040 Speaker 1: Well, com we are going to have to leave it there. 230 00:10:46,120 --> 00:10:47,920 Speaker 1: It is on ten o'clock. Thank you very much for 231 00:10:47,960 --> 00:10:48,280 Speaker 1: your time. 232 00:10:48,320 --> 00:10:50,520 Speaker 2: Next morning, thank you, Katy, and have a good week 233 00:10:50,640 --> 00:10:51,040 Speaker 2: you too. 234 00:10:51,200 --> 00:10:51,760 Speaker 1: Thank you.