1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:03,720 Speaker 1: We're in a situation now here in the territory where 2 00:00:04,240 --> 00:00:06,640 Speaker 1: well those traveling around the place. If you are a 3 00:00:06,680 --> 00:00:09,320 Speaker 1: family that wants to travel to one of the Northern 4 00:00:09,360 --> 00:00:11,840 Speaker 1: Territories parks, it's going to cost you one hundred and 5 00:00:11,880 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: fifty dollars for an open pass into our. 6 00:00:15,600 --> 00:00:16,720 Speaker 2: Northern Territory parks. 7 00:00:16,760 --> 00:00:18,640 Speaker 1: Now joining me on the line to tell us a 8 00:00:18,640 --> 00:00:20,920 Speaker 1: little bit more about how this may or may not 9 00:00:21,520 --> 00:00:26,320 Speaker 1: impact tourism, whether it's Northern Territory tourists, whether it's interstate, 10 00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:30,880 Speaker 1: whether it's international. It is the CEO of Tourism Central Australia, 11 00:00:30,960 --> 00:00:34,200 Speaker 1: Daniel Rochford, Good morning to you, Good. 12 00:00:33,960 --> 00:00:36,080 Speaker 3: Morning Katie, and good morning to your listeners. And I'm 13 00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:38,920 Speaker 3: alive from beautiful Tenning Creek in the Berkley. 14 00:00:39,120 --> 00:00:41,320 Speaker 2: Oh wonderful. What's happening in Tenant today? 15 00:00:42,200 --> 00:00:46,080 Speaker 3: It's an absolute stunning day mate, looking at a picture 16 00:00:46,159 --> 00:00:48,880 Speaker 3: of beauty outside from what I'm looking at the moment. 17 00:00:49,080 --> 00:00:51,720 Speaker 2: Oh good stuff. How are our tourism businesses going in 18 00:00:51,760 --> 00:00:52,760 Speaker 2: ten at the moment. 19 00:00:53,600 --> 00:00:57,440 Speaker 3: Well, as you know, crime issues here in the Berkley 20 00:00:57,480 --> 00:01:00,840 Speaker 3: have been a huge issue, so look back to ever present. 21 00:01:01,560 --> 00:01:04,920 Speaker 3: Look it's coming off a low basis they've really had 22 00:01:04,959 --> 00:01:07,720 Speaker 3: a lot of challenges result of COVID and you know 23 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:10,679 Speaker 3: some of the perception issues. But look, you know we've 24 00:01:10,680 --> 00:01:13,000 Speaker 3: got a big meeting of the tourism operators today and 25 00:01:13,080 --> 00:01:17,440 Speaker 3: you know there's some positivity about the future few months. 26 00:01:17,480 --> 00:01:19,160 Speaker 2: Well, let us know how that meeting goes. 27 00:01:19,440 --> 00:01:21,880 Speaker 1: We're always keen to know what's going on right around 28 00:01:21,920 --> 00:01:24,720 Speaker 1: the territory, whether it's Central Australia, Tenant Creek, you know 29 00:01:24,920 --> 00:01:28,280 Speaker 1: up here in Darwin, Catherine, I think it's really important 30 00:01:28,280 --> 00:01:30,839 Speaker 1: that we all know what's going on right around the territory. 31 00:01:31,480 --> 00:01:34,839 Speaker 1: And yeah, and speaking of we know that, well, these 32 00:01:34,880 --> 00:01:38,520 Speaker 1: fees are about to be introduced or have they started today? 33 00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:41,520 Speaker 2: What exactly is the situation, Daniel. 34 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:45,240 Speaker 3: Yeah, So there's fees for the multi day walks, So 35 00:01:45,880 --> 00:01:48,240 Speaker 3: for us in Central Australia, it's the larape, the trail 36 00:01:48,280 --> 00:01:52,240 Speaker 3: and camping fees that have been introduced in all of 37 00:01:52,280 --> 00:01:56,560 Speaker 3: our campsites around the Northern territory and as well as 38 00:01:56,600 --> 00:01:59,440 Speaker 3: the new online booking system that the Parts and Wildlife 39 00:01:59,520 --> 00:02:02,600 Speaker 3: Services introduced. So all of this is happening as we 40 00:02:02,680 --> 00:02:07,240 Speaker 3: speak and starting to we're starting to see that the 41 00:02:07,280 --> 00:02:08,840 Speaker 3: operation of that come into place. 42 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:12,280 Speaker 1: And obviously we know that the Department of Environment, Parks 43 00:02:12,280 --> 00:02:14,840 Speaker 1: and Water Security, they've released this structure as well as 44 00:02:14,880 --> 00:02:17,480 Speaker 1: fees for the park's pass which is going to be 45 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:20,520 Speaker 1: introduced in twenty twenty three. Now, as I understand it, 46 00:02:20,520 --> 00:02:22,280 Speaker 1: it is going to mean that if you're a family, 47 00:02:22,360 --> 00:02:24,000 Speaker 1: you're going to have to pay one hundred and fifty 48 00:02:24,040 --> 00:02:27,000 Speaker 1: dollars for an open pass into one of the Northern 49 00:02:27,080 --> 00:02:30,680 Speaker 1: Territory well into the Northern Territories parks. Daniel, is this 50 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:33,800 Speaker 1: going to have a negative impact? Do you think or 51 00:02:33,880 --> 00:02:36,600 Speaker 1: do you think that people are pretty understanding that that 52 00:02:36,639 --> 00:02:38,120 Speaker 1: there's going to need to be a fee or that 53 00:02:38,160 --> 00:02:39,000 Speaker 1: there is a fee. 54 00:02:39,960 --> 00:02:42,800 Speaker 3: Look, change is never easy, and what we see across 55 00:02:42,960 --> 00:02:45,760 Speaker 3: other jurisdictions is these types of fees put in play. 56 00:02:46,520 --> 00:02:50,400 Speaker 3: I guess the key point here, Katie, and certainly one 57 00:02:50,480 --> 00:02:54,720 Speaker 3: I'm very passionate about, is we want to see any 58 00:02:54,800 --> 00:02:59,600 Speaker 3: money raised through these fees being charged going directly into 59 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:03,040 Speaker 3: the front line of our parks of state and our 60 00:03:03,080 --> 00:03:07,959 Speaker 3: infrastructure and our services, more ranges and the like. If 61 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:12,480 Speaker 3: we start to see money in, governments put their hand 62 00:03:12,520 --> 00:03:14,560 Speaker 3: in the cookie jar and try and divert some of 63 00:03:14,600 --> 00:03:17,720 Speaker 3: this money away from the National Party Parker State. We 64 00:03:17,800 --> 00:03:21,720 Speaker 3: will be very unpleased because this was very much sold 65 00:03:22,160 --> 00:03:26,359 Speaker 3: to the people of Northern Territory as an opportunity to 66 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:30,080 Speaker 3: put an increase investment in the parks of state and 67 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:34,840 Speaker 3: we definitely need from a tourism perspective that investment. As 68 00:03:34,880 --> 00:03:37,840 Speaker 3: long as that investment flows, then that will be very 69 00:03:37,880 --> 00:03:39,360 Speaker 3: positive for the tourism industry. 70 00:03:39,680 --> 00:03:41,920 Speaker 1: Yeah. I think that that is such a critical point 71 00:03:41,960 --> 00:03:44,560 Speaker 1: here that if there is going to be this money 72 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:47,160 Speaker 1: raise from these fees, that it needs to go back 73 00:03:47,280 --> 00:03:49,880 Speaker 1: into the infrastructure in those parks. 74 00:03:50,800 --> 00:03:53,480 Speaker 3: Oh. Look, we've you know, we've spoken directly to the 75 00:03:53,520 --> 00:03:57,760 Speaker 3: Minister and also the senior executives. You know, we are 76 00:03:57,760 --> 00:03:59,920 Speaker 3: going to be very closely looking at the budget. Paid 77 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:03,480 Speaker 3: is looking at the forward papers to make sure these 78 00:04:03,480 --> 00:04:06,600 Speaker 3: money is raised are actually going into frontline services and 79 00:04:06,640 --> 00:04:09,320 Speaker 3: infrastructure in our states. And if that's the case, which 80 00:04:09,360 --> 00:04:12,320 Speaker 3: is what they're saying, and to the government's credit, they 81 00:04:12,360 --> 00:04:14,720 Speaker 3: are saying that that's what's going to happen. So that's 82 00:04:14,760 --> 00:04:17,680 Speaker 3: good news. And so if we start to see that 83 00:04:17,760 --> 00:04:21,880 Speaker 3: investment in infrastructure and services in our Parker State, that's great. 84 00:04:21,920 --> 00:04:24,920 Speaker 3: You know, you know what we see in other jurisdictions 85 00:04:24,920 --> 00:04:28,760 Speaker 3: around the country. Is those moneys flow into better services 86 00:04:28,800 --> 00:04:31,960 Speaker 3: on the ground as long as people are seeing that, that's. 87 00:04:31,760 --> 00:04:34,599 Speaker 1: Good, Daniel, Will it be enough money to make a 88 00:04:34,600 --> 00:04:35,320 Speaker 1: real impact. 89 00:04:36,760 --> 00:04:41,240 Speaker 3: Oh, look, it's better than nothing, Katie. I guess you know, ultimately, 90 00:04:41,960 --> 00:04:45,520 Speaker 3: we certainly do need governments to be investing in the 91 00:04:45,560 --> 00:04:48,000 Speaker 3: parks of state. It's such a critical part of our 92 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:51,200 Speaker 3: tourism experience here in the Northern Territory. And you know, 93 00:04:51,240 --> 00:04:54,599 Speaker 3: we certainly encourage government at all stage to support the 94 00:04:54,680 --> 00:04:58,760 Speaker 3: national parks infrastructure. But you know, it's a good start 95 00:04:58,920 --> 00:05:02,680 Speaker 3: and hopefully through other government appropriations we can see that 96 00:05:02,839 --> 00:05:03,960 Speaker 3: in increased investment. 97 00:05:04,800 --> 00:05:07,159 Speaker 1: Now, last time you're on the show, we spoke about 98 00:05:07,200 --> 00:05:09,559 Speaker 1: some of that flood damage that had happened. I believe 99 00:05:09,560 --> 00:05:13,279 Speaker 1: it was in the West McDonald Rangers. Has there been 100 00:05:13,360 --> 00:05:16,240 Speaker 1: much of an update on the work that needed to happen, 101 00:05:16,240 --> 00:05:19,200 Speaker 1: because we got in contact with with the Department, the 102 00:05:19,200 --> 00:05:21,840 Speaker 1: Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security and they said 103 00:05:22,360 --> 00:05:24,400 Speaker 1: that it was work that was going to get under way, 104 00:05:24,440 --> 00:05:27,880 Speaker 1: but it may take some time. Yeah. 105 00:05:28,040 --> 00:05:31,279 Speaker 3: Huge kudos to yourself and to your listeners, Cadi. Look 106 00:05:31,960 --> 00:05:34,359 Speaker 3: pretty much straight after our last interview, you know, I 107 00:05:34,400 --> 00:05:37,239 Speaker 3: was getting phone calls saying, you know, things are about 108 00:05:37,240 --> 00:05:39,839 Speaker 3: to happen, so and you know I'm now starting to 109 00:05:39,920 --> 00:05:42,520 Speaker 3: hit see and hear that on the ground. So look, 110 00:05:42,600 --> 00:05:45,480 Speaker 3: as your listeners may remember, you know, we had some 111 00:05:45,600 --> 00:05:49,360 Speaker 3: major flood damage here just over a month ago Central Australia, 112 00:05:49,400 --> 00:05:53,120 Speaker 3: and that's very much concentrated on the West McDonald National Park, 113 00:05:53,279 --> 00:05:55,320 Speaker 3: which is one of our main draw cards for tourism 114 00:05:55,600 --> 00:05:58,680 Speaker 3: here in Central Australia. So we were really concerned about this. 115 00:05:58,880 --> 00:06:01,320 Speaker 3: So we know we've called upon the government to urgently 116 00:06:01,320 --> 00:06:05,920 Speaker 3: address that. I've certainly had some post some meetings post 117 00:06:05,960 --> 00:06:08,920 Speaker 3: our interview and certainly you know, it was very clear 118 00:06:08,920 --> 00:06:12,440 Speaker 3: to me the government understood the urgency of this for 119 00:06:12,560 --> 00:06:14,920 Speaker 3: our industry. You know, we will go facing down the 120 00:06:14,920 --> 00:06:19,000 Speaker 3: barrel of after two years of having no tourists come 121 00:06:19,040 --> 00:06:21,800 Speaker 3: to our region to have close signed left, right and 122 00:06:21,839 --> 00:06:24,520 Speaker 3: center throughout the West mcdonnald National Park, which would have 123 00:06:24,560 --> 00:06:26,560 Speaker 3: been the worst case scenario. 124 00:06:26,120 --> 00:06:28,960 Speaker 1: For oh, it would have been you know, nobody wants 125 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:31,400 Speaker 1: to turn up, especially when you travel that far and 126 00:06:31,440 --> 00:06:34,120 Speaker 1: then not be able to see, you know, the wonderful 127 00:06:34,120 --> 00:06:36,280 Speaker 1: things that you've been saving your money to be able 128 00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:38,560 Speaker 1: to go and see like you're talking bucket list items 129 00:06:38,560 --> 00:06:39,320 Speaker 1: for a lot of people. 130 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:44,200 Speaker 3: Yeah, indeed. And look, you know, as our industry feels 131 00:06:44,200 --> 00:06:46,240 Speaker 3: like a salmon going up the stream at the moment 132 00:06:46,720 --> 00:06:48,960 Speaker 3: with all the challenges that have been thrown at us 133 00:06:49,080 --> 00:06:52,200 Speaker 3: with COVID, this was just the straw that would have 134 00:06:52,200 --> 00:06:55,440 Speaker 3: broken the camel's back. But to be fair, thanks to 135 00:06:55,680 --> 00:06:59,640 Speaker 3: support and thanks to government has listened and they are 136 00:06:59,680 --> 00:07:01,880 Speaker 3: starting to put the necessary works in action. 137 00:07:02,160 --> 00:07:04,839 Speaker 1: Oh, I'm really pleased to hear that, mate, Just finally, 138 00:07:05,040 --> 00:07:06,520 Speaker 1: how are things going at the moment. 139 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:09,120 Speaker 2: I know that, like you said, it's been a tough time. 140 00:07:09,520 --> 00:07:12,800 Speaker 1: Sometimes you feel like a salmon's swimming up stream. 141 00:07:12,880 --> 00:07:14,480 Speaker 2: How's it going for you guys? 142 00:07:15,400 --> 00:07:18,000 Speaker 3: Look, there's some optimism, Katie. I have to say that 143 00:07:18,480 --> 00:07:21,560 Speaker 3: forward bookings are looking really good. We're starting to see 144 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:27,840 Speaker 3: airline services come back to what we're low, record low numbers. 145 00:07:28,080 --> 00:07:29,880 Speaker 3: You know, we were down to just two flights into 146 00:07:30,080 --> 00:07:33,080 Speaker 3: Lara in the peak of COVID, So this is starting 147 00:07:33,120 --> 00:07:36,280 Speaker 3: to now start to see return. All my members are 148 00:07:36,280 --> 00:07:40,760 Speaker 3: saying that bookings are looking great post April one and 149 00:07:41,120 --> 00:07:44,600 Speaker 3: into Easter and then we're into season from there, So 150 00:07:44,840 --> 00:07:47,960 Speaker 3: there is general optimism right across the sector, and I 151 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:50,120 Speaker 3: think from what I'm seeing it's going to be a 152 00:07:50,160 --> 00:07:52,960 Speaker 3: bumper season. And long mate, last and hope. We don't 153 00:07:53,360 --> 00:07:55,920 Speaker 3: need to know what the next letter of the Greek 154 00:07:55,960 --> 00:07:59,800 Speaker 3: alphabet is or any other curve balls. But we need governments. 155 00:08:00,080 --> 00:08:04,120 Speaker 3: Ow they've done an excellent job keeping us safe, but 156 00:08:04,240 --> 00:08:06,120 Speaker 3: we now need to get on the business, into the 157 00:08:06,160 --> 00:08:09,400 Speaker 3: business of making money for the territory economy. 158 00:08:09,640 --> 00:08:12,320 Speaker 1: And mate, I mean, I know that one time, when 159 00:08:12,360 --> 00:08:14,720 Speaker 1: you're on this is a while ago, you said that 160 00:08:14,840 --> 00:08:19,120 Speaker 1: you weren't exactly doing cartwheels down the todd male with excitement. 161 00:08:19,720 --> 00:08:20,840 Speaker 2: Are you getting close? 162 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:27,160 Speaker 3: Mate, I'm limbering up. I've got the leotard thought it 163 00:08:27,280 --> 00:08:31,800 Speaker 3: and I'm just limbering up to what will be a 164 00:08:31,840 --> 00:08:32,960 Speaker 3: great season. I hope. 165 00:08:33,160 --> 00:08:37,199 Speaker 2: Oh, let's hope. So that sounds exciting. It is always 166 00:08:37,240 --> 00:08:40,480 Speaker 2: good to talk to you, Daniel Rochford. We appreciate your time, mate. 167 00:08:41,240 --> 00:08:42,520 Speaker 3: Thanks Katie, Thanks you