1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,880 Speaker 1: Well, last week there was a staush it is ongoing 2 00:00:03,960 --> 00:00:06,560 Speaker 1: between the Northern Territory and the federal governments over the 3 00:00:06,559 --> 00:00:10,039 Speaker 1: Allice Springs Art Gallery. The Federal government sees the money 4 00:00:10,119 --> 00:00:13,240 Speaker 1: remains on the table, but the Northern Territory government, they 5 00:00:13,320 --> 00:00:15,320 Speaker 1: reckon has changed the scope and the side of the 6 00:00:15,360 --> 00:00:19,200 Speaker 1: project from what was previously agreed to under the former government, 7 00:00:19,480 --> 00:00:23,560 Speaker 1: which will need to be reconsidered by Infrastructure Minister Catherine King, 8 00:00:24,120 --> 00:00:27,080 Speaker 1: now the Chief We didn't actually get the opportunity to 9 00:00:27,120 --> 00:00:29,479 Speaker 1: speak much about this this morning earlier on the show 10 00:00:29,520 --> 00:00:32,040 Speaker 1: because there were some other issues, but we are hoping 11 00:00:32,040 --> 00:00:34,240 Speaker 1: that we'll get the opportunity to speak to Bill Yan 12 00:00:34,760 --> 00:00:38,879 Speaker 1: later in the week. But Ourie Springs tourism operators are 13 00:00:38,920 --> 00:00:42,120 Speaker 1: certainly feeling pretty gutted that the gallery may not go ahead. 14 00:00:42,400 --> 00:00:44,880 Speaker 1: Now joining us on the line to talk more about 15 00:00:44,880 --> 00:00:49,199 Speaker 1: this is Tourism Central Australia's CEO, Daniel Rochford. 16 00:00:49,200 --> 00:00:52,519 Speaker 2: Good morning, Daniel, Good morning Katie, and good morning to 17 00:00:52,560 --> 00:00:53,120 Speaker 2: your listeners. 18 00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:56,319 Speaker 1: Daniel. How much of a loss would it be for 19 00:00:56,360 --> 00:00:59,480 Speaker 1: the region if the gallery doesn't go ahead? 20 00:01:01,400 --> 00:01:06,600 Speaker 2: Significant, Katie, Look, this project has been a long time coming. 21 00:01:07,280 --> 00:01:10,480 Speaker 2: It's often been seen as a beacon of hope for 22 00:01:10,720 --> 00:01:15,200 Speaker 2: our tourism industry here in Central Australia. You know, when 23 00:01:15,240 --> 00:01:19,440 Speaker 2: it was originally prepared in the design prior to the 24 00:01:19,440 --> 00:01:23,160 Speaker 2: one that's on the table at the moment, consultancy reports 25 00:01:23,200 --> 00:01:27,319 Speaker 2: were saying that this gallery would drive an extra fifty 26 00:01:27,720 --> 00:01:32,360 Speaker 2: five thousand visitors to our town beyond what we have 27 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:36,520 Speaker 2: at the moment. So it is of significant importance. It's 28 00:01:36,959 --> 00:01:40,000 Speaker 2: one of our top priority projects in the region and 29 00:01:40,600 --> 00:01:46,400 Speaker 2: book we're obviously very worried that this good project could 30 00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:46,840 Speaker 2: be lost. 31 00:01:47,319 --> 00:01:50,080 Speaker 1: There's been a lot of discussion about the location. We 32 00:01:50,120 --> 00:01:53,720 Speaker 1: spoke to Catherine King, the Infrastructure Minister, the federal infrastructure 33 00:01:53,760 --> 00:01:56,400 Speaker 1: Minister last week, like she'd said to me basically that 34 00:01:56,880 --> 00:01:59,120 Speaker 1: you know, it had been approved, the funding had been 35 00:01:59,160 --> 00:02:03,160 Speaker 1: approved for the location when the former Labor government was 36 00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:06,320 Speaker 1: in power and the scope of that project. But as 37 00:02:06,320 --> 00:02:09,440 Speaker 1: we know, that has been changed and that location has 38 00:02:09,520 --> 00:02:13,320 Speaker 1: changed to some degree. I mean what a local saying 39 00:02:13,320 --> 00:02:15,760 Speaker 1: and what a tourism operator is saying about the location, 40 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:18,000 Speaker 1: Daniel Look. 41 00:02:18,080 --> 00:02:20,880 Speaker 2: Tourism Central Australia has always had a long held view 42 00:02:20,919 --> 00:02:24,600 Speaker 2: that this position, this gallery needs to be in the CBD. 43 00:02:26,040 --> 00:02:29,280 Speaker 2: Something we've been advocating for for teen years plus now 44 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:34,080 Speaker 2: that it's be located in the CBD. Look, I'm not 45 00:02:34,160 --> 00:02:40,040 Speaker 2: going to enter the frame of the Territory Canberra discussions 46 00:02:40,080 --> 00:02:44,760 Speaker 2: that are happening, but what I would say is that 47 00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:49,000 Speaker 2: I would certainly call upon the territory in federal governments 48 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:54,920 Speaker 2: to re energize the dialogue between both tiers of governments 49 00:02:56,000 --> 00:03:00,560 Speaker 2: to try and get a positive outcome for this project. 50 00:03:00,720 --> 00:03:04,400 Speaker 2: It is of such critical importance, not just from an 51 00:03:04,480 --> 00:03:10,960 Speaker 2: economic perspective, but this facility needs to be a world 52 00:03:11,040 --> 00:03:17,520 Speaker 2: showcase of Indigenous of Indigenous art and the Indigenous art movement. 53 00:03:17,639 --> 00:03:20,880 Speaker 2: And you know, we were just so excited that this 54 00:03:21,080 --> 00:03:24,720 Speaker 2: would be in our springs and not in Canberra. You know, 55 00:03:24,880 --> 00:03:28,240 Speaker 2: it's a national institution that's not in Canberra but in 56 00:03:28,320 --> 00:03:33,120 Speaker 2: our springs. How great would that be? And driving so 57 00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:36,280 Speaker 2: many new tourists. You know, the list of benefits of 58 00:03:36,320 --> 00:03:39,480 Speaker 2: this center go on and on. But cool heads need 59 00:03:39,560 --> 00:03:44,360 Speaker 2: to prevail. We need to make sure that, you know, 60 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:48,160 Speaker 2: both the territory and Commonwealth governments need to be in 61 00:03:48,360 --> 00:03:51,480 Speaker 2: active dialogue with one another to make sure that we 62 00:03:51,600 --> 00:03:52,760 Speaker 2: see an outcome. 63 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:54,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, I agree with you. They need to. I think 64 00:03:54,600 --> 00:03:56,720 Speaker 1: they need to sit down back at the table, have 65 00:03:56,800 --> 00:03:59,400 Speaker 1: a good discussion about this, work out the reasons why 66 00:03:59,440 --> 00:04:02,000 Speaker 1: for both of you know, perspectives may have changed a 67 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:05,480 Speaker 1: little bit, and get on with delivering this project like 68 00:04:05,520 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 1: it's been on the cards for so long. 69 00:04:08,520 --> 00:04:11,800 Speaker 2: And I think the voters of the Northern Territory would 70 00:04:12,960 --> 00:04:17,040 Speaker 2: congratulate governments who do that, and that's what we expect 71 00:04:17,120 --> 00:04:19,279 Speaker 2: of our governments to do what's in the best interests 72 00:04:19,680 --> 00:04:22,600 Speaker 2: of the people of the Northern Territory. Yes, this project 73 00:04:22,640 --> 00:04:27,039 Speaker 2: has had controversy and there's still issues inside of our community, 74 00:04:27,040 --> 00:04:29,320 Speaker 2: and I acknowledge those that there are many who don't 75 00:04:29,360 --> 00:04:32,440 Speaker 2: want to see it happen in the CBD. They'd like 76 00:04:32,560 --> 00:04:34,880 Speaker 2: to see it move elsewhere. But you know, at the 77 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:37,960 Speaker 2: end of the day, here Katie, we need to make 78 00:04:37,960 --> 00:04:42,280 Speaker 2: sure cool heads prevail and that there's active dialogue between 79 00:04:42,320 --> 00:04:43,680 Speaker 2: our governments and the community. 80 00:04:44,120 --> 00:04:47,599 Speaker 1: Hey Daniel. Over the weekend we also saw news that 81 00:04:47,760 --> 00:04:51,799 Speaker 1: Quantus has cut its evening flights between Alice Springs and Adelaide, 82 00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:54,880 Speaker 1: which would take effect this month and remain in place 83 00:04:54,960 --> 00:04:58,640 Speaker 1: until March next year. The airline claims the change reflects 84 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:02,320 Speaker 1: that seasonality and demand. Was it a surprise to. 85 00:05:02,240 --> 00:05:07,560 Speaker 2: You, not really, we tend to see I'm sure this 86 00:05:07,640 --> 00:05:10,919 Speaker 2: happens in Darwin as well. You know, over the low season, 87 00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:16,440 Speaker 2: airlines tend to retract services just because there's just that 88 00:05:17,520 --> 00:05:20,600 Speaker 2: level of demand that you see during our high tourism season. 89 00:05:20,720 --> 00:05:23,760 Speaker 2: So look, obviously, you know any retraction of services in 90 00:05:23,839 --> 00:05:26,600 Speaker 2: never welcome. Would love to see a full load of 91 00:05:28,880 --> 00:05:32,880 Speaker 2: seats coming in to our town into the territory. But 92 00:05:32,920 --> 00:05:34,320 Speaker 2: you know, at the end of the day, this is 93 00:05:34,839 --> 00:05:38,760 Speaker 2: going to be a return to come high season. We're 94 00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:41,839 Speaker 2: obviously working very closely with Tourism n TEA at the 95 00:05:41,880 --> 00:05:47,640 Speaker 2: moment on some low season campaigns across Australia to encourage 96 00:05:47,680 --> 00:05:50,239 Speaker 2: people to come to the Northern Territory over the summer. 97 00:05:50,800 --> 00:05:55,039 Speaker 2: So you know we're actively doing that. We're certainly looking 98 00:05:55,080 --> 00:05:58,880 Speaker 2: down the barrel of a really bumper twenty twenty six. 99 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:02,280 Speaker 2: You know, things are looking really positive and our communication 100 00:06:02,520 --> 00:06:04,680 Speaker 2: to airlines at the moment is, you know, you need 101 00:06:04,720 --> 00:06:08,320 Speaker 2: to be backing the territory for twenty twenty six and 102 00:06:08,760 --> 00:06:13,600 Speaker 2: putting more services on, but that will always come via demand, 103 00:06:13,720 --> 00:06:16,600 Speaker 2: and you know when airlines see extra demand, they put 104 00:06:16,680 --> 00:06:18,960 Speaker 2: extra services on, and you know we've got to be 105 00:06:18,960 --> 00:06:22,960 Speaker 2: able to proactively show them that that's happening. And here 106 00:06:22,960 --> 00:06:26,560 Speaker 2: in Alice Springs, residents of Alice Springs get access to 107 00:06:26,880 --> 00:06:30,880 Speaker 2: residents fair that the airlines put on to help subsidize 108 00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:33,400 Speaker 2: people getting out of the town. And you know, I 109 00:06:33,520 --> 00:06:37,400 Speaker 2: encourage anyone from Alice Springs listening to the program today 110 00:06:37,680 --> 00:06:40,080 Speaker 2: to take advantage of those programs because if we don't 111 00:06:40,160 --> 00:06:41,040 Speaker 2: use it, we'll lose it. 112 00:06:41,160 --> 00:06:42,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, this is the thing, right, It is all 113 00:06:42,920 --> 00:06:45,320 Speaker 1: about that demand and you sort of touched on that before. 114 00:06:45,480 --> 00:06:47,840 Speaker 1: That seasonality. It does have an impact. We see it 115 00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:50,240 Speaker 1: up here in the top end as well. And it's hard, 116 00:06:50,400 --> 00:06:52,000 Speaker 1: you know, because we all want to be able to 117 00:06:52,040 --> 00:06:54,080 Speaker 1: travel and we want those flights at good times of 118 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:56,280 Speaker 1: the day and all that kind of thing. But if 119 00:06:56,320 --> 00:06:58,800 Speaker 1: their demand is not there, they're going to fly where 120 00:06:58,800 --> 00:06:59,159 Speaker 1: it is. 121 00:07:00,160 --> 00:07:05,360 Speaker 2: Indeed, look like, yeah, yeah it is. And I don't 122 00:07:05,360 --> 00:07:07,400 Speaker 2: want to understate the impact that this will have to 123 00:07:07,880 --> 00:07:10,040 Speaker 2: you know, people living in the town, and yes it will. 124 00:07:10,120 --> 00:07:13,400 Speaker 2: You know, you know, my wife's traveling on a flight 125 00:07:13,720 --> 00:07:15,960 Speaker 2: that that flight this week that's still in place, and 126 00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:19,200 Speaker 2: you know, you know that you know, the community take 127 00:07:19,240 --> 00:07:22,000 Speaker 2: access of that Friday evening flight to Adelaide to get 128 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:25,880 Speaker 2: them to go down and have a weekend away. You know, 129 00:07:25,960 --> 00:07:30,120 Speaker 2: we you know, we professionals who fly up, you know, 130 00:07:30,160 --> 00:07:33,440 Speaker 2: medical professionals who fly up from Adelaide just for the 131 00:07:33,560 --> 00:07:36,400 Speaker 2: day consulting and then fly back. But that's where the 132 00:07:36,440 --> 00:07:40,000 Speaker 2: impacts will be felt on this. But hopefully and you 133 00:07:40,040 --> 00:07:43,280 Speaker 2: know again, you know it's my understanding that these services 134 00:07:43,320 --> 00:07:47,360 Speaker 2: will be put in place back in March twenty twenty six, 135 00:07:47,440 --> 00:07:52,640 Speaker 2: so you know where as long as that happens where 136 00:07:52,720 --> 00:07:54,920 Speaker 2: you know, at the end of the day, these things happen. 137 00:07:55,600 --> 00:07:59,160 Speaker 1: Yeah, hey, Daniel one on some positive news, so certainly 138 00:07:59,400 --> 00:08:02,000 Speaker 1: I think it's to be positive news. And you spoke 139 00:08:02,040 --> 00:08:04,040 Speaker 1: about you know, what's on the agenda for twenty twenty 140 00:08:04,040 --> 00:08:07,080 Speaker 1: six as well. The Alice Springs Masters Games are returning 141 00:08:07,120 --> 00:08:09,320 Speaker 1: next year. They're going to be held in October, so 142 00:08:09,360 --> 00:08:10,800 Speaker 1: it's sort of you know, the Minister had done a 143 00:08:10,840 --> 00:08:14,240 Speaker 1: bit of a one year out update. What is you know, 144 00:08:14,320 --> 00:08:17,160 Speaker 1: how are you guys feeling, How are people feeling in 145 00:08:17,200 --> 00:08:21,080 Speaker 1: Alice Springs about the return of the Masters and what 146 00:08:21,160 --> 00:08:23,240 Speaker 1: kind of numbers are you hoping to attract. 147 00:08:24,920 --> 00:08:29,280 Speaker 2: We're overjoyed by having the Masters Games on the back 148 00:08:29,320 --> 00:08:32,440 Speaker 2: on the events calendar. It's such an iconic event to 149 00:08:32,520 --> 00:08:35,640 Speaker 2: our town. But next year is going to be a 150 00:08:35,760 --> 00:08:38,920 Speaker 2: bumper year. And I guess my message to all the 151 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:42,520 Speaker 2: listeners today is if you haven't made your bookings for 152 00:08:42,679 --> 00:08:46,160 Speaker 2: travel down to Central Australia next year, do so early. 153 00:08:46,480 --> 00:08:50,320 Speaker 2: You've got the fiftieth anniversary of Think. You know, we're 154 00:08:50,360 --> 00:08:54,920 Speaker 2: even hosting the I believe the Territory Championships for pickleball 155 00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:57,600 Speaker 2: this year of next year, so you know, there's going 156 00:08:57,640 --> 00:08:59,920 Speaker 2: to be a lot of events that are happening beyond 157 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:03,680 Speaker 2: all the conferences that are already locked in. So you know, 158 00:09:03,720 --> 00:09:08,079 Speaker 2: we're really excited, Katie, we're out twenty twenty six. We've 159 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:11,640 Speaker 2: got a real excitement in the air. I'm seeing numbers 160 00:09:11,720 --> 00:09:15,440 Speaker 2: now that are really you know, we're starting to see 161 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:20,840 Speaker 2: double digit growth in much of our sector. There's still 162 00:09:20,840 --> 00:09:26,200 Speaker 2: some areas our attractions and experiences aren't seeing that, but accommodation, 163 00:09:26,440 --> 00:09:31,520 Speaker 2: hospitality all looking with a really positive growth trajectory after 164 00:09:31,559 --> 00:09:34,520 Speaker 2: what has been some very difficult years, and I've talked 165 00:09:34,559 --> 00:09:38,080 Speaker 2: about you know, it's great to see that we're turning 166 00:09:38,120 --> 00:09:40,640 Speaker 2: that corner and you know it's looking up from here. 167 00:09:41,160 --> 00:09:43,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, look I think we all really hope. So, hey, 168 00:09:43,679 --> 00:09:46,760 Speaker 1: we all want to see that change, that positive change, 169 00:09:46,800 --> 00:09:50,040 Speaker 1: particularly for you guys in Central Australia. I know it's 170 00:09:50,080 --> 00:09:52,560 Speaker 1: been a really tough few years. So if we can 171 00:09:52,600 --> 00:09:55,800 Speaker 1: get some of those you know, some of those those 172 00:09:55,960 --> 00:09:59,520 Speaker 1: positive you know numbers, that is obviously a good thing. 173 00:09:59,520 --> 00:10:01,360 Speaker 1: And hope Lea it improves from here. 174 00:10:02,240 --> 00:10:05,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, there's a real sense that we're getting our Mojojoe back. 175 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:09,080 Speaker 2: We held the Central Australian Tourism Summit last Tuesday. We 176 00:10:09,160 --> 00:10:13,319 Speaker 2: had it was that capacity we could not feel put 177 00:10:13,400 --> 00:10:16,360 Speaker 2: one more extra person in the room, and the room 178 00:10:16,559 --> 00:10:21,080 Speaker 2: was really positive about the opportunities for the tourism industry 179 00:10:21,360 --> 00:10:25,800 Speaker 2: over the next few years. There was great ideas being 180 00:10:25,840 --> 00:10:30,160 Speaker 2: put forward about the next chapter and you know on yeah, 181 00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:33,640 Speaker 2: there's certainly a lot of positivity is out at the moment. 182 00:10:33,720 --> 00:10:36,560 Speaker 2: So long may that rain, I say, yeah. 183 00:10:36,360 --> 00:10:39,240 Speaker 1: I hope, so we'll Daniel Rotchford really good to speak 184 00:10:39,240 --> 00:10:41,360 Speaker 1: with you this morning. Always good to catch up the 185 00:10:41,400 --> 00:10:46,360 Speaker 1: CEO of Tourism Central Australia. Thank you, thanks gaming and 186 00:10:46,520 --> 00:10:50,120 Speaker 1: also congrats on you've been elected Onto councilor Alice Springs 187 00:10:50,160 --> 00:10:50,560 Speaker 1: as well. 188 00:10:51,440 --> 00:10:56,880 Speaker 2: Yes, that's a ring to it. But yeah, really excited. 189 00:10:57,320 --> 00:11:01,000 Speaker 2: That's you know, we've just had our first couple meetings 190 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:03,400 Speaker 2: and you know there's a real you know, we're working 191 00:11:03,440 --> 00:11:07,760 Speaker 2: well as a team and yeah, I think I'm really 192 00:11:08,559 --> 00:11:11,600 Speaker 2: buoyed by working with my colleagues there and in the 193 00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:15,040 Speaker 2: best interest of making sure the town is on a 194 00:11:15,080 --> 00:11:16,160 Speaker 2: positive pathway. 195 00:11:16,360 --> 00:11:18,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, all good stuff, Daniel, great to speak with you. 196 00:11:18,920 --> 00:11:20,240 Speaker 1: Thank you as always for your time. 197 00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:22,400 Speaker 2: Thanks Katie, thank you.