1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,080 Speaker 1: There is so much happening right around the Northern Territory 2 00:00:03,080 --> 00:00:06,200 Speaker 1: at the moment, and work on the Palmeston Swimming, Wellness, Events, 3 00:00:06,640 --> 00:00:11,160 Speaker 1: leisure and Lifestyle Precinct is expected to be complete in November, 4 00:00:11,560 --> 00:00:14,720 Speaker 1: with the grand opening planned for the school holidays. It's 5 00:00:14,800 --> 00:00:19,240 Speaker 1: fantastic news and hopefully fantastic timing. Now the nineteen point 6 00:00:19,280 --> 00:00:23,040 Speaker 1: four million dollar project, which features a two story adventure 7 00:00:23,200 --> 00:00:27,240 Speaker 1: water plays one, three fully shaded pools, splash areas into 8 00:00:27,240 --> 00:00:30,960 Speaker 1: basketball half court, is set to be officially opened. Well, 9 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:33,600 Speaker 1: it's actually going to be opened on December seventeen. And 10 00:00:33,680 --> 00:00:36,199 Speaker 1: joining us live on the line right now is the 11 00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:41,160 Speaker 1: Palmerston Mayor Athena Pasco Bell. Good morning to you, Good 12 00:00:41,159 --> 00:00:44,160 Speaker 1: morning Mayor, thanks so much for your time this morning. 13 00:00:44,479 --> 00:00:47,400 Speaker 1: How is the Swell project coming along? 14 00:00:48,520 --> 00:00:53,479 Speaker 2: It's looking great. It's been a long project in the 15 00:00:53,520 --> 00:00:57,760 Speaker 2: making and very very pleased that our staff and the 16 00:00:57,760 --> 00:01:01,080 Speaker 2: contractor which is Jtex, has been able to deliver it 17 00:01:01,760 --> 00:01:05,240 Speaker 2: on time, which is just fantastic and really looking forward 18 00:01:05,240 --> 00:01:07,320 Speaker 2: to the opening in the school holidays. 19 00:01:07,600 --> 00:01:10,200 Speaker 1: Now, tell me what, look, have the works had to 20 00:01:10,240 --> 00:01:12,360 Speaker 1: be fast tracked or were they always set to be 21 00:01:12,440 --> 00:01:14,240 Speaker 1: complete in time for Christmas? 22 00:01:15,959 --> 00:01:19,240 Speaker 2: They always committed that they would finish construction in November. 23 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:23,039 Speaker 2: But you know, I've worked with engineers for quite a 24 00:01:23,080 --> 00:01:25,800 Speaker 2: number of years and they don't always deliver on time. 25 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:29,000 Speaker 2: So I am absolutely thrilled that they have managed to 26 00:01:29,040 --> 00:01:32,000 Speaker 2: complete it on time. And there will be obviously a 27 00:01:32,040 --> 00:01:36,200 Speaker 2: little bit of a shakedown and staff training before it opens, 28 00:01:36,360 --> 00:01:39,800 Speaker 2: and then we'll be ready to open for December seventeen, 29 00:01:40,120 --> 00:01:42,160 Speaker 2: which is the first weekend in the school holidays. 30 00:01:42,319 --> 00:01:44,800 Speaker 1: Wonderful, wonderful stuff. Paint a bit of a picture for 31 00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:47,440 Speaker 1: us though Athena. What's it going to look like? What 32 00:01:47,440 --> 00:01:50,520 Speaker 1: can people see when those gates finally open. 33 00:01:52,280 --> 00:01:55,200 Speaker 2: We will have an extra pool now, so we originally 34 00:01:55,200 --> 00:01:58,280 Speaker 2: only had one fifty meter pool. That one's been refurbished. 35 00:01:58,880 --> 00:02:02,520 Speaker 2: There'll be another twenty meter warm water program pool, which 36 00:02:02,560 --> 00:02:06,480 Speaker 2: would be excellent for swimming lessons and acuerobics, physiotherapy, that 37 00:02:06,600 --> 00:02:10,440 Speaker 2: sort of thing. Both pools have got disability access ramps now, 38 00:02:10,480 --> 00:02:14,640 Speaker 2: which we never had in the past. There's also a 39 00:02:14,760 --> 00:02:19,480 Speaker 2: huge upgrade to the splash zone, which was originally just 40 00:02:19,520 --> 00:02:22,359 Speaker 2: had one single mushroom in it for the toddlers, So 41 00:02:22,400 --> 00:02:26,480 Speaker 2: that single mushroom's now long gone and there'll be a 42 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:31,960 Speaker 2: whole range of different water splash areas for the toddlers 43 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:36,000 Speaker 2: to have fun in. Probably the most exciting part is 44 00:02:36,040 --> 00:02:40,960 Speaker 2: that there is a two level obstacle course and it's 45 00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:44,519 Speaker 2: pretty tall, like it's about seven meters tall, but it's 46 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:47,720 Speaker 2: two levels. You get into a harness and you can 47 00:02:48,040 --> 00:02:51,120 Speaker 2: run sort of like a ninja course but with water. 48 00:02:51,800 --> 00:02:54,440 Speaker 2: That's I'm going to be really exciting for the older kids. 49 00:02:55,840 --> 00:02:59,680 Speaker 2: The change rooms have been completely refurbished, so we've now 50 00:02:59,800 --> 00:03:03,160 Speaker 2: got besides just male and female, there's a change village 51 00:03:03,160 --> 00:03:06,240 Speaker 2: which is suitable for families to get changed in, and 52 00:03:06,280 --> 00:03:08,840 Speaker 2: we believe it's the first in the Northern Territory. There's 53 00:03:08,880 --> 00:03:13,240 Speaker 2: an accessible adult change facility, so families that have older 54 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:16,560 Speaker 2: children and adults with disabilities now have a place which 55 00:03:16,600 --> 00:03:19,800 Speaker 2: is dedicated for them to change and be able to 56 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:21,200 Speaker 2: go and enjoy the water play. 57 00:03:21,800 --> 00:03:24,320 Speaker 1: That is good to hear. Yeah, that is really good 58 00:03:24,360 --> 00:03:26,200 Speaker 1: to hear. And I do think that it's you know, 59 00:03:26,240 --> 00:03:28,399 Speaker 1: it sounds like it's going to be really inclusive, which 60 00:03:28,440 --> 00:03:31,280 Speaker 1: is wonderful. I know that there's been some questions asked 61 00:03:31,320 --> 00:03:35,080 Speaker 1: about the shade. I believe it's about a million dollars 62 00:03:35,080 --> 00:03:37,040 Speaker 1: worth of shade. Please tell me it's going to be 63 00:03:37,040 --> 00:03:39,200 Speaker 1: better than what we see on Kavanagh Straight in the 64 00:03:39,760 --> 00:03:40,400 Speaker 1: in the city. 65 00:03:42,520 --> 00:03:45,880 Speaker 2: Look, the shade is absolutely amazing. It covers all the 66 00:03:45,920 --> 00:03:50,320 Speaker 2: water bodies and also the concourse, so you know you 67 00:03:50,400 --> 00:03:53,000 Speaker 2: can be in the shade even when you're standing out 68 00:03:53,040 --> 00:03:55,520 Speaker 2: in the side of the pool. It is fully retractable, 69 00:03:55,520 --> 00:03:58,400 Speaker 2: so we can retract it in sections to allow some 70 00:03:58,600 --> 00:04:01,560 Speaker 2: sunlight onto the water body, but we can also then 71 00:04:01,600 --> 00:04:04,960 Speaker 2: cover up the entire area. And that was a very 72 00:04:05,040 --> 00:04:08,200 Speaker 2: strong comment from our community when we did consultation, was 73 00:04:08,240 --> 00:04:10,880 Speaker 2: that they really wanted the whole lot to be shaded. 74 00:04:11,440 --> 00:04:14,160 Speaker 2: I think our original plans had about seventy percent shade, 75 00:04:14,200 --> 00:04:16,440 Speaker 2: but they came back and said, no, we want it 76 00:04:16,480 --> 00:04:19,640 Speaker 2: completely shaded. So we've been able to incorporate that as well. 77 00:04:20,520 --> 00:04:22,600 Speaker 2: There's an events area as well, so we'll be able 78 00:04:22,600 --> 00:04:25,400 Speaker 2: to bring in food trucks and have other events and 79 00:04:25,520 --> 00:04:29,880 Speaker 2: larger activities on the site. The half court basketball will 80 00:04:29,920 --> 00:04:32,640 Speaker 2: suit some of the older teenagers who just like to 81 00:04:32,640 --> 00:04:34,800 Speaker 2: play basketball and don't want to swim all the time. 82 00:04:35,920 --> 00:04:39,560 Speaker 2: So yeah, it's looking to be an absolutely magnificent facility 83 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:42,680 Speaker 2: and it will be free until twenty twenty six. At 84 00:04:42,760 --> 00:04:46,359 Speaker 2: least that's the current council decision, so it will be 85 00:04:46,400 --> 00:04:48,280 Speaker 2: accessible to everyone in the community. 86 00:04:48,480 --> 00:04:49,680 Speaker 1: Was that is good news? 87 00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:50,000 Speaker 2: Now? 88 00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:52,680 Speaker 1: Is there a big party planned for the official opening 89 00:04:52,760 --> 00:04:54,000 Speaker 1: or what can people expect? 90 00:04:54,880 --> 00:04:57,800 Speaker 2: There is a big party planned. I don't have all 91 00:04:57,880 --> 00:05:00,880 Speaker 2: the details, so they'll be announced as we get closer 92 00:05:00,920 --> 00:05:04,279 Speaker 2: to the opening, but there will be a big party. 93 00:05:04,320 --> 00:05:07,080 Speaker 2: I believe it'll be opening around midday and it will 94 00:05:07,120 --> 00:05:08,920 Speaker 2: run through to about nine pm at night. 95 00:05:09,600 --> 00:05:12,240 Speaker 1: Good stuff, now, mayor before I let you go, can 96 00:05:12,279 --> 00:05:14,960 Speaker 1: I just ask We've spoken to convat Scarlets about this 97 00:05:15,000 --> 00:05:16,880 Speaker 1: a little earlier this morning. There's been a lot of 98 00:05:16,880 --> 00:05:21,320 Speaker 1: discussion about the Alcohol Review that was tabled in Parliament 99 00:05:21,440 --> 00:05:24,560 Speaker 1: last week and about different things that could be done 100 00:05:24,600 --> 00:05:28,159 Speaker 1: to address public drinking and anti social behavior. Now, one 101 00:05:28,200 --> 00:05:32,880 Speaker 1: of those potential amendments to the Act could empower other 102 00:05:32,920 --> 00:05:37,679 Speaker 1: appointed officers like transit officers, public housing safety offices, park 103 00:05:37,760 --> 00:05:42,479 Speaker 1: ranges and council ranges to act as inspectors, with the 104 00:05:42,520 --> 00:05:47,160 Speaker 1: authority to search individuals and sees any unopened container that's 105 00:05:47,240 --> 00:05:51,160 Speaker 1: believed to contain liquor. How does the Palmeston Council feel 106 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:53,320 Speaker 1: about that potential amendment. 107 00:05:54,600 --> 00:05:59,400 Speaker 2: We've made a very strong response to the government several 108 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:03,480 Speaker 2: months ago saying that the City of Palmerston doesn't accept 109 00:06:03,760 --> 00:06:07,960 Speaker 2: that as a reasonable response. Our ranges are not trained 110 00:06:08,080 --> 00:06:11,680 Speaker 2: to deal with drunk or aggressive people. They are trained 111 00:06:11,680 --> 00:06:15,719 Speaker 2: to deal with dogs and issue parking fines. You know, 112 00:06:15,760 --> 00:06:18,360 Speaker 2: I think the government has put in place a number 113 00:06:18,400 --> 00:06:22,480 Speaker 2: of other measures. So, as you mentioned, transport safety officers 114 00:06:22,839 --> 00:06:26,120 Speaker 2: and other authorized officers. We don't believe that this is 115 00:06:26,160 --> 00:06:29,080 Speaker 2: a space for council ranges. It really needs to be 116 00:06:29,160 --> 00:06:32,880 Speaker 2: a dedicated alcohol response team or the police. 117 00:06:33,720 --> 00:06:36,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, and look, the last thing anybody wants to see 118 00:06:36,440 --> 00:06:40,200 Speaker 1: is any of those those rangers or any other non 119 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:43,000 Speaker 1: police official winding up in a dangerous situation. 120 00:06:44,360 --> 00:06:47,520 Speaker 2: Look, that's right, and as I mentioned, our ranges are 121 00:06:47,520 --> 00:06:50,920 Speaker 2: not trained for that sort of thing. You know, I 122 00:06:50,920 --> 00:06:53,680 Speaker 2: imagine con has also said that it's just the cost 123 00:06:53,720 --> 00:06:56,520 Speaker 2: shifting exercise, and we really do feel that that is 124 00:06:56,560 --> 00:07:01,040 Speaker 2: the case. Our rangers don't work twenty four hours, but 125 00:07:01,080 --> 00:07:04,400 Speaker 2: once people are given this sort of power, it's expected 126 00:07:04,480 --> 00:07:06,960 Speaker 2: that they will be able to operate twenty four hours. 127 00:07:07,360 --> 00:07:11,240 Speaker 2: So we don't currently budget for that sort of operation currently, 128 00:07:11,320 --> 00:07:13,520 Speaker 2: and to do that would cost us I think we 129 00:07:13,680 --> 00:07:15,840 Speaker 2: estimated an extra million dollars a year if we were 130 00:07:15,880 --> 00:07:18,960 Speaker 2: to have ranges on call twenty four hours wow. 131 00:07:19,160 --> 00:07:20,920 Speaker 1: And that no doubt is then going to end up 132 00:07:20,920 --> 00:07:21,400 Speaker 1: costing the. 133 00:07:21,440 --> 00:07:25,680 Speaker 2: Right payer, that's right. So that's why you know, the 134 00:07:25,760 --> 00:07:29,320 Speaker 2: councils are saying it is a cost shifting exercise and 135 00:07:29,360 --> 00:07:32,360 Speaker 2: we just don't believe that it's council responsibility to be 136 00:07:32,520 --> 00:07:36,880 Speaker 2: managing people drinking in public. You know, there's no issue 137 00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:40,760 Speaker 2: with council ranges notifying an appropriate authority that there are 138 00:07:40,840 --> 00:07:44,360 Speaker 2: people drinking in public places. But we just don't want 139 00:07:44,400 --> 00:07:46,880 Speaker 2: our staff to be put in that position of conflict, 140 00:07:47,400 --> 00:07:49,480 Speaker 2: and we don't think it's fair that the rate payers 141 00:07:49,520 --> 00:07:52,960 Speaker 2: have to bear the burden of this. There are other 142 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:55,640 Speaker 2: measures that the government can take and I do note 143 00:07:55,640 --> 00:07:58,160 Speaker 2: that they did go out with expressions of interest to 144 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:02,560 Speaker 2: buy back licenses. I haven't heard of the results of that, 145 00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:04,880 Speaker 2: so I'll be following that up with the Chief Minister, 146 00:08:05,480 --> 00:08:08,760 Speaker 2: I think in a couple of weeks time. But you know, 147 00:08:08,800 --> 00:08:12,760 Speaker 2: we've been calling out for some consistency in terms of 148 00:08:12,840 --> 00:08:16,960 Speaker 2: trading ours the liquor licenses in Palmerston at the moment, 149 00:08:17,480 --> 00:08:20,960 Speaker 2: take away licenses operate at different times of the day 150 00:08:21,080 --> 00:08:24,240 Speaker 2: so people can just move around from one outlet to another, 151 00:08:25,200 --> 00:08:27,880 Speaker 2: and often when we have problems in neighborhoods, we don't 152 00:08:27,920 --> 00:08:32,640 Speaker 2: see enough compliance and regulation when you know, we do 153 00:08:32,679 --> 00:08:36,720 Speaker 2: see significant problems in some areas, so there needs to 154 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:39,559 Speaker 2: be a bit more responsibility put back onto the licensee 155 00:08:39,559 --> 00:08:42,920 Speaker 2: to be responsible when they're selling alcohol as well. 156 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:47,120 Speaker 1: Well Asena Pasco Bell, the mayor of Palmerston. I really 157 00:08:47,160 --> 00:08:49,440 Speaker 1: appreciate your time this morning. Thank you very much for 158 00:08:49,480 --> 00:08:51,440 Speaker 1: coming on the show and having a chat to us. 159 00:08:52,040 --> 00:08:53,440 Speaker 1: Thank you, thank you.