1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:03,240 Speaker 1: In some good news for territory fish shows. There has 2 00:00:03,279 --> 00:00:05,800 Speaker 1: been those upgrades to the daily river boat ramp. They're 3 00:00:05,840 --> 00:00:09,000 Speaker 1: now complete, so it is a four point three to 4 00:00:09,080 --> 00:00:11,560 Speaker 1: five million dollar project and it did indeed see the 5 00:00:11,560 --> 00:00:12,200 Speaker 1: construction of. 6 00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:12,960 Speaker 2: A new car park. 7 00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:17,200 Speaker 1: There's a toilet block, there's also passenger loading ramp, improving 8 00:00:17,239 --> 00:00:20,360 Speaker 1: access for people of all abilities. And joining us on 9 00:00:20,360 --> 00:00:22,799 Speaker 1: the line to tell us a little bit more from 10 00:00:22,920 --> 00:00:25,000 Speaker 1: a fanti it is David Chirravolo. 11 00:00:25,120 --> 00:00:25,880 Speaker 2: Good morning to you. 12 00:00:25,920 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 3: David, Good morning Katie, and good morning listeners. 13 00:00:29,280 --> 00:00:31,880 Speaker 1: David, talk us through a bit more detail of this 14 00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:33,880 Speaker 1: project and what it'll mean for fish shows. 15 00:00:34,960 --> 00:00:37,800 Speaker 3: Yeah, so it's really good news. We've got the Girl's 16 00:00:37,840 --> 00:00:40,400 Speaker 3: Gone Fishing competition down there on the Daily this week, 17 00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:43,239 Speaker 3: and we've had the announcement that the boat ramp is 18 00:00:43,280 --> 00:00:45,919 Speaker 3: now car park is now open, so a little bit 19 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:48,959 Speaker 3: of a soft launch actually a few weeks ago and 20 00:00:50,120 --> 00:00:53,199 Speaker 3: any bugs, which there weren't any, and so what we 21 00:00:53,280 --> 00:00:55,360 Speaker 3: have now is where there used to be an informal 22 00:00:55,440 --> 00:00:59,960 Speaker 3: parking area, we now have a top of the line 23 00:01:00,120 --> 00:01:04,280 Speaker 3: car park that can accommodate for peak demand. It's raised 24 00:01:04,360 --> 00:01:06,640 Speaker 3: up so it's not going to be subject to flooding. 25 00:01:07,319 --> 00:01:09,120 Speaker 3: It means that the area is a lot safer, a 26 00:01:09,160 --> 00:01:12,160 Speaker 3: lot more formalized. It was a request of the traditional owners, 27 00:01:12,520 --> 00:01:16,720 Speaker 3: the Malick Malick people there, who really wanted community safety 28 00:01:16,760 --> 00:01:18,880 Speaker 3: to be improved as well, and so it is a 29 00:01:18,880 --> 00:01:22,399 Speaker 3: real win win. What it also means is that we 30 00:01:22,480 --> 00:01:25,160 Speaker 3: now have toilet facilities there, so it's a much more 31 00:01:25,160 --> 00:01:29,840 Speaker 3: family friendly facility, so everybody can use those amenities. They're 32 00:01:29,840 --> 00:01:32,479 Speaker 3: brands banking, new and very well maintained by the Malick 33 00:01:32,520 --> 00:01:37,080 Speaker 3: Malick rangers. And also we have an all abilities access 34 00:01:37,160 --> 00:01:40,319 Speaker 3: ramp put in, which means that there is passenger loading 35 00:01:40,360 --> 00:01:43,320 Speaker 3: for people in wheelchairs or people who are maybe less 36 00:01:43,319 --> 00:01:45,039 Speaker 3: able of jumping in and out of boats can actually 37 00:01:45,160 --> 00:01:47,160 Speaker 3: use that ramp to get up to boat level when 38 00:01:47,160 --> 00:01:49,680 Speaker 3: it's on the back of the trailer. So overall it's 39 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:52,600 Speaker 3: an excellent development at what is one of the territory's 40 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:53,920 Speaker 3: top barrel Monday fishing spot. 41 00:01:54,160 --> 00:01:56,160 Speaker 1: How much of a difference do you reckon it's going 42 00:01:56,200 --> 00:02:00,400 Speaker 1: to make for everybody. I mean the fact there's sometimes 43 00:02:00,480 --> 00:02:01,920 Speaker 1: as you get a little bit older, it might be 44 00:02:01,960 --> 00:02:04,800 Speaker 1: more difficult to head out on the water. If you're 45 00:02:04,800 --> 00:02:07,280 Speaker 1: not able to get in and out of the boat easily, 46 00:02:07,400 --> 00:02:09,440 Speaker 1: So how big a difference do you reckon? This is 47 00:02:09,440 --> 00:02:11,600 Speaker 1: all going to make well. 48 00:02:11,639 --> 00:02:14,760 Speaker 3: Look, the territory is the best place to fish in 49 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:18,840 Speaker 3: Australia and it's appropriate that we have really good quality infrastructure. 50 00:02:19,200 --> 00:02:21,400 Speaker 3: This has been a long time coming and it's already 51 00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:24,119 Speaker 3: making a lot of difference. We've had people contact us 52 00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:27,960 Speaker 3: fishers who use wheelchairs, older people who have said one 53 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:30,160 Speaker 3: of the limitations for them getting in and out of 54 00:02:30,160 --> 00:02:33,280 Speaker 3: their boat has been climbing onto the boat when it's 55 00:02:33,520 --> 00:02:35,440 Speaker 3: on the back of the trailer. And so already to 56 00:02:35,480 --> 00:02:39,119 Speaker 3: feedback on using the all abilities access ramp has been 57 00:02:39,200 --> 00:02:42,079 Speaker 3: really really positive and we've had a lot of families 58 00:02:42,120 --> 00:02:44,079 Speaker 3: also say to us, oh, it's great. Now I don't 59 00:02:44,120 --> 00:02:46,360 Speaker 3: have to worry about if I get there and I 60 00:02:46,440 --> 00:02:48,000 Speaker 3: never need to go to the toilet or the kids 61 00:02:48,040 --> 00:02:50,000 Speaker 3: needs to go to the toilet. The facility is there 62 00:02:50,040 --> 00:02:53,600 Speaker 3: and so people are really happy about that. But the 63 00:02:53,680 --> 00:02:56,360 Speaker 3: other great news about this is for a few years 64 00:02:56,400 --> 00:02:59,520 Speaker 3: now there's actually been some damage to the toe of 65 00:02:59,560 --> 00:03:01,480 Speaker 3: the boat ramps at the bottom of the boat ramp. 66 00:03:01,560 --> 00:03:03,600 Speaker 3: Now that's not an issue right now because the water 67 00:03:03,680 --> 00:03:06,400 Speaker 3: level is still a bit higher in the river. But 68 00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:10,560 Speaker 3: as part of a add on to this project, they're 69 00:03:10,600 --> 00:03:14,320 Speaker 3: currently pre cast concrete and when the water levels get low, 70 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:17,600 Speaker 3: they're actually going to fix the toll of the ramp 71 00:03:17,600 --> 00:03:20,359 Speaker 3: as well, which means that now we've got a much 72 00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:22,880 Speaker 3: better and much clearer and safer approach to the ramp, 73 00:03:22,960 --> 00:03:26,720 Speaker 3: better turnaround and better lines of slight down and eventually 74 00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:28,520 Speaker 3: in the very near future we're going to have a 75 00:03:28,560 --> 00:03:32,079 Speaker 3: better ramp overall. So it's going to be a real 76 00:03:32,120 --> 00:03:34,720 Speaker 3: big change in the amenity of this facility, and I 77 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:38,160 Speaker 3: think the fishing community have been very, very appreciative of 78 00:03:38,160 --> 00:03:38,800 Speaker 3: this investment. 79 00:03:38,920 --> 00:03:41,640 Speaker 1: That is great stuff, really good to hear, and obviously 80 00:03:41,680 --> 00:03:45,760 Speaker 1: coinciding with the Girls Gone Fishing competition, they must be 81 00:03:45,880 --> 00:03:47,000 Speaker 1: excited as well. 82 00:03:47,120 --> 00:03:48,200 Speaker 2: No doubt they'll go off. 83 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:55,400 Speaker 3: It's a fantastic competition locally run and organized by Sammy 84 00:03:55,440 --> 00:04:00,720 Speaker 3: Wig and very well patronized by the Female Fish Fraternity 85 00:04:00,880 --> 00:04:04,920 Speaker 3: in Darwin. I've got a secret hope for one of 86 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:07,480 Speaker 3: the teams with an Asan entrant. There were more than 87 00:04:07,480 --> 00:04:10,960 Speaker 3: one Afan entrant impact in the teams, but one of 88 00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:14,240 Speaker 3: our staff members is competing again and so you know, 89 00:04:14,280 --> 00:04:17,920 Speaker 3: certainly I'll be watching the leaderboard updates and I think 90 00:04:17,920 --> 00:04:20,360 Speaker 3: it's going to be a great week for everybody. 91 00:04:20,720 --> 00:04:21,560 Speaker 2: Wonderful stuff. 92 00:04:21,680 --> 00:04:23,920 Speaker 1: Hey David, last time you and I caught up, we're 93 00:04:23,920 --> 00:04:26,400 Speaker 1: obviously talking about access to some waterways. 94 00:04:26,440 --> 00:04:28,080 Speaker 2: How are things going on that front? 95 00:04:30,480 --> 00:04:34,040 Speaker 3: Oh, look, Katie, there hasn't really been any major changes 96 00:04:34,680 --> 00:04:38,920 Speaker 3: in recent In recent times, I guess to the access negotiations. 97 00:04:39,520 --> 00:04:43,320 Speaker 3: We have been having ongoing conversations with the Territory government 98 00:04:43,839 --> 00:04:47,000 Speaker 3: about that. We understand and we've had feedback from the 99 00:04:47,040 --> 00:04:50,800 Speaker 3: Territory Government that they're still hoping to have negotiations with 100 00:04:50,839 --> 00:04:54,640 Speaker 3: the Northern Land Council on some of those access issues. 101 00:04:55,279 --> 00:04:57,280 Speaker 3: But look, it is the case at the moment that 102 00:04:57,279 --> 00:04:59,200 Speaker 3: there are a number of places that people want to 103 00:04:59,240 --> 00:05:02,960 Speaker 3: fish that they can no longer access, and we certainly 104 00:05:03,279 --> 00:05:05,720 Speaker 3: hope that that can change in the near future, but 105 00:05:06,360 --> 00:05:08,880 Speaker 3: it will be a matter of the government engaging with 106 00:05:08,960 --> 00:05:14,320 Speaker 3: the traditional owners and coming up with arrangements and offers 107 00:05:14,760 --> 00:05:18,240 Speaker 3: hopefully that break the mold of the past and have 108 00:05:18,360 --> 00:05:21,080 Speaker 3: led the stagnation in this Spacey a. 109 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:21,680 Speaker 2: Really quick one. 110 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:25,240 Speaker 1: A call has just called through and they're asking apparently 111 00:05:25,240 --> 00:05:29,039 Speaker 1: there was a handwritten sign up at rookery in the 112 00:05:29,120 --> 00:05:32,359 Speaker 1: South Alligator River from local ranges, saying that the spot 113 00:05:32,360 --> 00:05:34,960 Speaker 1: had been closed to protect the nesting of some of 114 00:05:34,960 --> 00:05:37,680 Speaker 1: the birds there, and he was wondering what consultation was 115 00:05:37,720 --> 00:05:39,120 Speaker 1: done about this. 116 00:05:39,880 --> 00:05:41,760 Speaker 2: Apparently the birds. 117 00:05:41,440 --> 00:05:43,800 Speaker 1: Have been there for years and he's wondering what's really 118 00:05:43,839 --> 00:05:45,520 Speaker 1: sort of changed. I don't know if you know anything 119 00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:46,360 Speaker 1: about that, David. 120 00:05:47,400 --> 00:05:52,440 Speaker 3: Yeah, So it's been a long running concern of traditional 121 00:05:52,440 --> 00:05:56,040 Speaker 3: owners and the ranges in Kakadu National Park around the rookery. 122 00:05:56,080 --> 00:05:59,279 Speaker 3: This is an area where there are literally thousands of 123 00:05:59,440 --> 00:06:03,040 Speaker 3: nesting in the trees that are pretty well in standing water. 124 00:06:03,160 --> 00:06:06,200 Speaker 3: It also happens to be an excellent runoff fishing spot, 125 00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:10,040 Speaker 3: especially at this time of year, and it has been 126 00:06:10,040 --> 00:06:12,840 Speaker 3: a place where people have been able to access in 127 00:06:12,880 --> 00:06:15,920 Speaker 3: the past and can access most of the time. We 128 00:06:16,040 --> 00:06:18,360 Speaker 3: got some feedback a few weeks ago and there was 129 00:06:18,360 --> 00:06:21,799 Speaker 3: an announcement on the Park's Australia website that the ranges, 130 00:06:21,880 --> 00:06:25,200 Speaker 3: in consultation with the traditional owners, had made a decision 131 00:06:25,240 --> 00:06:29,640 Speaker 3: to close that area while there were so many birds 132 00:06:29,760 --> 00:06:32,400 Speaker 3: and hatchlings in the trees, because they were worried about 133 00:06:32,680 --> 00:06:36,160 Speaker 3: the birds being knocked into the water. It certainly has 134 00:06:36,240 --> 00:06:39,960 Speaker 3: been disappointing for recreational fishes, and many of whom would 135 00:06:39,960 --> 00:06:42,280 Speaker 3: say they would operate as carefully as they possibly can 136 00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:45,760 Speaker 3: and not knock into the trees. However, this is a 137 00:06:45,800 --> 00:06:49,720 Speaker 3: decision that's been taken by Parks Australia at the request 138 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:54,120 Speaker 3: of the traditional owners, and whilst we are trying to 139 00:06:54,200 --> 00:06:57,240 Speaker 3: understand and learn more about it, we understand that they 140 00:06:57,279 --> 00:06:59,720 Speaker 3: do actually have the power to close parts of the 141 00:06:59,760 --> 00:07:02,720 Speaker 3: past call any parts of the park whenever they want. 142 00:07:03,720 --> 00:07:06,160 Speaker 3: And you know, I think people would be quite familiar 143 00:07:06,200 --> 00:07:07,760 Speaker 3: that there have been other areas of the park that 144 00:07:07,800 --> 00:07:10,840 Speaker 3: have been closed for quite some time now, and so 145 00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:14,960 Speaker 3: whilst we certainly are always engaging about our ability to 146 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:20,880 Speaker 3: communicate responsible behavior, there are some limitations as to I 147 00:07:20,920 --> 00:07:24,320 Speaker 3: guess the power that can be had when there are 148 00:07:24,360 --> 00:07:27,200 Speaker 3: other people making those decisions and they believe that made 149 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:29,280 Speaker 3: those decisions for the right reasons and they think that 150 00:07:29,280 --> 00:07:30,120 Speaker 3: they're necessary. 151 00:07:30,400 --> 00:07:33,080 Speaker 2: Is it Is it quite a popular sort of area. 152 00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:38,240 Speaker 3: Look, it's certainly not a popular area in terms of 153 00:07:38,480 --> 00:07:41,680 Speaker 3: like Shady Camp or the Daily River as a large area, 154 00:07:41,840 --> 00:07:43,960 Speaker 3: but it is a very popular area with people who 155 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:46,400 Speaker 3: fish the south and particularly at this time of the year, 156 00:07:46,760 --> 00:07:49,640 Speaker 3: and it's also a really good fishing spot. So the 157 00:07:50,400 --> 00:07:53,000 Speaker 3: channel or that leads into the creek that leads into 158 00:07:53,040 --> 00:07:56,080 Speaker 3: there is accessible to a point, but it has been 159 00:07:56,120 --> 00:07:58,520 Speaker 3: closed off and roped off with that notice from Parks 160 00:07:58,560 --> 00:08:01,800 Speaker 3: Australia at the where really to be honest, a lot 161 00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:05,840 Speaker 3: of people do like to fish. For those people who 162 00:08:05,880 --> 00:08:09,280 Speaker 3: this is their favorite spot, it has impacted on them. 163 00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:14,320 Speaker 3: You know, I sit on the consultative Committee for Tourism 164 00:08:14,680 --> 00:08:17,960 Speaker 3: or having a conversation next week about that. I'm going 165 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:20,120 Speaker 3: to be meeting again with the range just down there 166 00:08:20,120 --> 00:08:22,720 Speaker 3: to understand a little bit more about the process and 167 00:08:23,080 --> 00:08:27,360 Speaker 3: going forward. But I think it is you know, it 168 00:08:27,400 --> 00:08:30,040 Speaker 3: is within the rights of the traditional owners and the 169 00:08:30,080 --> 00:08:33,199 Speaker 3: parks to close it. What we hope we can do 170 00:08:33,640 --> 00:08:35,760 Speaker 3: is to say, well, you know, when does it need 171 00:08:35,800 --> 00:08:37,600 Speaker 3: if it does need to be closed from time to time, 172 00:08:37,640 --> 00:08:39,600 Speaker 3: when does it need to be closed. Can we minimize 173 00:08:39,600 --> 00:08:42,400 Speaker 3: those closure periods around when the critical time is for 174 00:08:42,520 --> 00:08:46,920 Speaker 3: the birds, and can we have improved communication with fishes 175 00:08:46,960 --> 00:08:50,240 Speaker 3: around it. But you know the other element of it 176 00:08:50,280 --> 00:08:54,080 Speaker 3: is that the management of Takadu and times have changed 177 00:08:54,120 --> 00:08:56,640 Speaker 3: and in the past, while it was able to be 178 00:08:56,720 --> 00:08:59,360 Speaker 3: kept open, the decision this time has gone against us. 179 00:09:00,360 --> 00:09:02,719 Speaker 3: A lot of fishes or some fishes are disappointed about that. 180 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:05,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, So no word on how long it's going to 181 00:09:05,000 --> 00:09:05,959 Speaker 2: be closed for either. 182 00:09:08,200 --> 00:09:10,280 Speaker 3: We've engaged with the rangers on it, and they've told 183 00:09:10,320 --> 00:09:13,040 Speaker 3: us that when the birds fledge, they will reopen it. 184 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:15,760 Speaker 3: So at the moment they've not at the moment, but 185 00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:18,600 Speaker 3: a couple of weeks ago when I last spoke with them, 186 00:09:18,600 --> 00:09:20,560 Speaker 3: there were a lot of baby birds in the trees 187 00:09:20,640 --> 00:09:22,679 Speaker 3: and the concern was that if they got knocked into 188 00:09:22,720 --> 00:09:26,120 Speaker 3: the water, well, that's effectively the end of them. They 189 00:09:26,160 --> 00:09:28,840 Speaker 3: haven't had a lot of big, good wet seasons, which 190 00:09:28,880 --> 00:09:31,120 Speaker 3: is one of the reasons why fishes were so excited 191 00:09:31,120 --> 00:09:33,120 Speaker 3: about getting in there, but it's also one of the 192 00:09:33,120 --> 00:09:35,960 Speaker 3: reasons why the birds have bread so spectacularly this year. 193 00:09:36,520 --> 00:09:40,760 Speaker 3: And the thoughts and I guess ideas there from the 194 00:09:40,880 --> 00:09:43,840 Speaker 3: ranges and from the traditional owners are to bank a 195 00:09:43,880 --> 00:09:46,560 Speaker 3: really great year of breeding of the birds and to 196 00:09:46,640 --> 00:09:48,560 Speaker 3: make sure that those birds are protected at this time. 197 00:09:48,600 --> 00:09:52,720 Speaker 3: And I think most people would support that. Whether we 198 00:09:52,800 --> 00:09:55,920 Speaker 3: can support that in a way that allows for some 199 00:09:56,040 --> 00:09:59,120 Speaker 3: or a modified form of access, these conversations we'd still 200 00:09:59,160 --> 00:10:01,880 Speaker 3: like to have for years going forward. But I think 201 00:10:01,960 --> 00:10:05,480 Speaker 3: overall people do understand and do know that we need 202 00:10:05,559 --> 00:10:10,559 Speaker 3: to balance the health of the overall environment. But certainly 203 00:10:10,559 --> 00:10:13,200 Speaker 3: most fishes who go up there would be experienced, and 204 00:10:13,240 --> 00:10:15,240 Speaker 3: I'm sure they're not knocking burds into the water all 205 00:10:15,240 --> 00:10:15,960 Speaker 3: the time either. 206 00:10:16,480 --> 00:10:20,040 Speaker 1: Well, David Girovolo, I'm sure that there'll be plenty of 207 00:10:20,080 --> 00:10:22,120 Speaker 1: people listening to that this morning who are thinking, Okay, 208 00:10:22,559 --> 00:10:23,720 Speaker 1: you know, at least we've got a bit of a 209 00:10:23,720 --> 00:10:26,520 Speaker 1: better understanding now, But no doubt there'll be some who 210 00:10:26,559 --> 00:10:28,880 Speaker 1: will be pretty disappointed that they can't go to their 211 00:10:28,960 --> 00:10:33,240 Speaker 1: favorite fishing spot. Mate. I always appreciate your time though, 212 00:10:33,559 --> 00:10:35,679 Speaker 1: always good to catch up, and thank you so much 213 00:10:35,720 --> 00:10:37,640 Speaker 1: for having a chat to us this morning about various 214 00:10:37,640 --> 00:10:38,960 Speaker 1: different topics there today. 215 00:10:40,200 --> 00:10:42,440 Speaker 3: Thanks Katie, And I think just finally to say, you know, 216 00:10:42,520 --> 00:10:44,959 Speaker 3: this is why access is so important. That when certain 217 00:10:44,960 --> 00:10:47,440 Speaker 3: areas need to be closed for certain reasons, if we 218 00:10:47,480 --> 00:10:50,960 Speaker 3: have reduced access overall, it really complicates factors. So what 219 00:10:51,040 --> 00:10:52,920 Speaker 3: do you need to focus on having the best access 220 00:10:52,960 --> 00:10:54,080 Speaker 3: regimes we possibly can? 221 00:10:54,559 --> 00:10:57,280 Speaker 1: Thank you exactly well, David, thank you, we'll talk to 222 00:10:57,320 --> 00:10:57,920 Speaker 1: you again soon. 223 00:10:57,960 --> 00:10:59,160 Speaker 2: Thanks so much for your time.