1 00:00:00,240 --> 00:00:02,520 Speaker 1: As we know, there are new owners of the Northern 2 00:00:02,600 --> 00:00:07,120 Speaker 1: territories biggest shopping center, Casarina Square, and they have said 3 00:00:07,160 --> 00:00:09,200 Speaker 1: that they're going to focus really on some of the 4 00:00:09,240 --> 00:00:11,880 Speaker 1: issues that we've seen at the shopping center when it 5 00:00:11,920 --> 00:00:14,560 Speaker 1: comes to anti social behavior in an effort to try 6 00:00:14,560 --> 00:00:19,000 Speaker 1: and well improve security not only for those store owners 7 00:00:19,040 --> 00:00:22,120 Speaker 1: and those operating businesses in the center, but also for 8 00:00:22,160 --> 00:00:25,280 Speaker 1: those of us that go there to shop. Now joining 9 00:00:25,320 --> 00:00:29,040 Speaker 1: me on the line is Warren Ebersh who is Sentinel 10 00:00:29,080 --> 00:00:32,760 Speaker 1: Property Groups Executive chairman. Good morning to you, Warren. 11 00:00:33,840 --> 00:00:35,800 Speaker 2: Good morning Katie. Thank you for having me on. 12 00:00:35,960 --> 00:00:38,640 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for your time. Warren. Firstly, when 13 00:00:38,640 --> 00:00:42,000 Speaker 1: did Sentinel take over the ownership of Casarina. 14 00:00:42,680 --> 00:00:45,480 Speaker 2: We settled on the thirty first of March, so three 15 00:00:45,520 --> 00:00:48,239 Speaker 2: weeks ago. Three weeks ago to my three. 16 00:00:48,080 --> 00:00:52,479 Speaker 1: Weeks ago, Warren, how are things going in terms of 17 00:00:52,840 --> 00:00:55,760 Speaker 1: getting into the center and really getting a good look 18 00:00:55,800 --> 00:00:58,280 Speaker 1: at some of those issues that we as locals have 19 00:00:58,680 --> 00:01:01,560 Speaker 1: been pretty concerned about a little while around crime and 20 00:01:01,560 --> 00:01:02,800 Speaker 1: anti social behavior. 21 00:01:05,040 --> 00:01:09,080 Speaker 2: Well, I think for what we've been told, it's a 22 00:01:09,080 --> 00:01:12,440 Speaker 2: bit worse now than what it has been in the 23 00:01:12,480 --> 00:01:17,200 Speaker 2: past because there's a concentration of bad elements around the 24 00:01:17,240 --> 00:01:22,160 Speaker 2: center at the moment. And while you know, we've received 25 00:01:22,240 --> 00:01:26,600 Speaker 2: comments from locals on Facebook and we won't run away 26 00:01:26,600 --> 00:01:30,040 Speaker 2: from any issues, and we've got senior people. Murray scandal 27 00:01:30,080 --> 00:01:32,240 Speaker 2: has sead of our retailies up there for a few weeks. 28 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:34,120 Speaker 2: We're more than happy to sit now if people have 29 00:01:34,160 --> 00:01:36,560 Speaker 2: a coffee, and we do really want to fix it. 30 00:01:36,560 --> 00:01:39,000 Speaker 2: It's not just not just a claw press. But I 31 00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:41,360 Speaker 2: think people need to remember that last year there was 32 00:01:41,440 --> 00:01:45,320 Speaker 2: eight point two million visits to Casarina Square, and certainly 33 00:01:45,600 --> 00:01:47,840 Speaker 2: there have been some problems, but when you have a 34 00:01:47,880 --> 00:01:51,120 Speaker 2: look as a percentage of eight point two million, it 35 00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:54,240 Speaker 2: isn't as bad as you know. If you have a problem, 36 00:01:55,040 --> 00:01:58,320 Speaker 2: it's a real worry to you, not taking it lightly. 37 00:01:58,360 --> 00:02:02,280 Speaker 2: But we do have to keep in perspective. Also if 38 00:02:02,320 --> 00:02:06,320 Speaker 2: we shift the bad element from Kasarina, they go somewhere else. 39 00:02:06,880 --> 00:02:09,680 Speaker 2: So we understand the last couple of weeks they've increased 40 00:02:09,720 --> 00:02:14,760 Speaker 2: security patrols sporting club beside us, which has then shifted 41 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:17,360 Speaker 2: the bad element of a night over to Casarina Square. 42 00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:21,639 Speaker 2: So two nights ago some news got shopping trolleys are smashed, 43 00:02:21,800 --> 00:02:24,200 Speaker 2: some of the glass doors in got in broke into 44 00:02:24,240 --> 00:02:28,600 Speaker 2: a number of shops. So we have got some security 45 00:02:28,639 --> 00:02:30,959 Speaker 2: experts coming in the next few days to talk to 46 00:02:31,080 --> 00:02:33,960 Speaker 2: some work on a security plan. But it's not only 47 00:02:33,960 --> 00:02:40,320 Speaker 2: about securing Casarina. There needs to be a bigger focus 48 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:44,320 Speaker 2: on how do we reduce the bad element. And I've 49 00:02:44,320 --> 00:02:47,320 Speaker 2: got to say that any discussions that we have had 50 00:02:47,360 --> 00:02:49,799 Speaker 2: with the dah And City Council, with the Lord Mayor, 51 00:02:50,000 --> 00:02:53,680 Speaker 2: with the territory government from the Chief Minister down, they're 52 00:02:53,800 --> 00:02:57,160 Speaker 2: very open to working out how we can change things 53 00:02:57,680 --> 00:03:00,800 Speaker 2: and where relph the New Boys Town. Even though we've 54 00:03:00,800 --> 00:03:03,840 Speaker 2: had investments up there for six years. We're not coming 55 00:03:03,880 --> 00:03:06,120 Speaker 2: to town and saying that so we know how to 56 00:03:06,120 --> 00:03:08,120 Speaker 2: fix it. The UFLO state if was it easy to 57 00:03:08,120 --> 00:03:09,520 Speaker 2: fix it, wor to be fixed, well. 58 00:03:09,360 --> 00:03:11,680 Speaker 1: That's exactly right. And Warren, look, it's been an issue 59 00:03:11,680 --> 00:03:13,919 Speaker 1: that we you know, we've had people call into the 60 00:03:13,960 --> 00:03:16,640 Speaker 1: show about. In recent weeks, we had a situation where 61 00:03:16,639 --> 00:03:20,519 Speaker 1: two women in their sixties had been one in particular, 62 00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:22,600 Speaker 1: had been going to get money out at one of 63 00:03:22,639 --> 00:03:26,320 Speaker 1: the ATMs inside and had been knocked to the ground 64 00:03:26,360 --> 00:03:29,600 Speaker 1: and had a couple of hundred dollars stolen from her. 65 00:03:29,840 --> 00:03:32,440 Speaker 1: The police caught up with that offended pretty quickly. We 66 00:03:32,480 --> 00:03:35,600 Speaker 1: had another woman who'd called through who was depositing money 67 00:03:35,600 --> 00:03:39,640 Speaker 1: at the ATMU and had it snatched off her five 68 00:03:39,720 --> 00:03:43,840 Speaker 1: hundred dollars. We've spoken before about, you know, some of 69 00:03:43,880 --> 00:03:46,280 Speaker 1: the other incidents that we've seen there, and even last 70 00:03:46,320 --> 00:03:49,640 Speaker 1: week just nearby the bus exchange or there, you know, 71 00:03:49,760 --> 00:03:53,000 Speaker 1: right there where the buses are, there were kids pegging 72 00:03:53,080 --> 00:03:56,400 Speaker 1: rocks at you know, one of the buses. So there 73 00:03:56,480 --> 00:03:59,240 Speaker 1: is no doubt that it's it's a tough one and 74 00:03:59,240 --> 00:04:01,400 Speaker 1: I would imagine it's going to be quite tough for 75 00:04:01,440 --> 00:04:04,000 Speaker 1: you guys to grapple with this. What sort of plans 76 00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:04,920 Speaker 1: have you got in place? 77 00:04:07,600 --> 00:04:10,800 Speaker 2: Well, we certainly want to talk to all the stakeholders, 78 00:04:10,800 --> 00:04:12,560 Speaker 2: but would we have to be mindful if we get 79 00:04:12,600 --> 00:04:15,000 Speaker 2: all of the stakeholders together that we don't want it 80 00:04:15,040 --> 00:04:17,000 Speaker 2: to be just a brain test if I'm blame someone 81 00:04:17,040 --> 00:04:19,560 Speaker 2: else why they didn't fix it. As I said, I 82 00:04:19,560 --> 00:04:22,640 Speaker 2: it was easy to fix. It would have been fixed. Now. 83 00:04:22,640 --> 00:04:25,000 Speaker 2: We're quite happy to hear from people and genuine to 84 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:26,719 Speaker 2: sit down and have a coffee and if they have 85 00:04:26,760 --> 00:04:30,560 Speaker 2: a suggestion. While we need to know what the problems 86 00:04:30,560 --> 00:04:33,680 Speaker 2: are we've got to work at how we fix it. Yeah. 87 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:36,640 Speaker 2: So you know, there was an article in the paper 88 00:04:36,680 --> 00:04:41,560 Speaker 2: that the other day where I mentioned that previously there 89 00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:43,240 Speaker 2: used to be the shack across the road whe now 90 00:04:43,320 --> 00:04:48,120 Speaker 2: McDonald's are and that was managed by Red Cross. So 91 00:04:48,160 --> 00:04:51,039 Speaker 2: we want to work with the Darwine City Council and 92 00:04:51,080 --> 00:04:53,520 Speaker 2: the territory government about setting something up like that. Again 93 00:04:54,880 --> 00:04:58,360 Speaker 2: where Katie, you know, you sound very young. She might 94 00:04:58,400 --> 00:05:02,000 Speaker 2: be old enough to have children. But the people with 95 00:05:02,680 --> 00:05:05,679 Speaker 2: if you've got idle idle hands, get into mischief, whether 96 00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:08,719 Speaker 2: they're children are adults, so there needs to be something 97 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:11,200 Speaker 2: for them to do. So if we can work on 98 00:05:11,240 --> 00:05:13,840 Speaker 2: and having some facility around where people that can go 99 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:16,760 Speaker 2: sit down, have a coffee and have a talk and 100 00:05:16,839 --> 00:05:20,240 Speaker 2: do something rather than coming to Casina Square and creating 101 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:23,880 Speaker 2: problems for to pushoppers and just trying rocks at cars 102 00:05:23,960 --> 00:05:26,800 Speaker 2: or none of that is acceptable. But somehow you've got 103 00:05:26,800 --> 00:05:28,920 Speaker 2: to get these people to understand that it isn't it. 104 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:33,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, Oh absolutely, Warren. You'll be interested to know I 105 00:05:33,160 --> 00:05:35,440 Speaker 1: am old enough to have kids. I've got two of them, 106 00:05:35,520 --> 00:05:38,279 Speaker 1: and I've got to tell you I'm a regular. I 107 00:05:38,320 --> 00:05:42,000 Speaker 1: am a regular shopper at Casarina, and it's reached the 108 00:05:42,040 --> 00:05:44,720 Speaker 1: point over the last couple of months where my kids 109 00:05:44,760 --> 00:05:48,479 Speaker 1: are really scared to be in the car park at Casina. 110 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:51,599 Speaker 1: And I think that that's the sentiment probably of you know, 111 00:05:51,680 --> 00:05:53,880 Speaker 1: of others who are listening to the show as well. 112 00:05:53,920 --> 00:05:57,599 Speaker 1: And I guess you know, we're really hopeful for you know, 113 00:05:57,640 --> 00:05:59,640 Speaker 1: a lot of us are really hopeful as locals that 114 00:06:00,400 --> 00:06:03,160 Speaker 1: now that the new owners yourselves are stepping in, that 115 00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:05,960 Speaker 1: will hopefully see some change in this space. 116 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:09,920 Speaker 2: Well, I guarantee you'll see some change, Katie, but you 117 00:06:10,240 --> 00:06:14,120 Speaker 2: might see it today because we have to be mindful 118 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:18,720 Speaker 2: that we don't upset some of the current programs that 119 00:06:19,880 --> 00:06:24,000 Speaker 2: they may have planned. So we are wanting to engage 120 00:06:24,000 --> 00:06:27,159 Speaker 2: with the police because they do seem genuine about client dissolve, 121 00:06:27,440 --> 00:06:32,080 Speaker 2: and so I have to be careful what I say 122 00:06:32,080 --> 00:06:34,760 Speaker 2: about some of the things. You know, some of the 123 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:37,159 Speaker 2: things are do we close off some of the entrances 124 00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:40,400 Speaker 2: in the car park. We don't want to make it 125 00:06:40,440 --> 00:06:45,039 Speaker 2: look like a jail or something. If there's limited entrance points, 126 00:06:45,560 --> 00:06:48,360 Speaker 2: then you could control that a little bit more. Where 127 00:06:49,920 --> 00:06:52,600 Speaker 2: fifty different entrance points people can run across, guards get 128 00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:54,240 Speaker 2: in and out making course trouble with if you have 129 00:06:54,320 --> 00:06:57,120 Speaker 2: limited access points. But we've got to work with the governor. 130 00:06:57,200 --> 00:06:59,960 Speaker 2: And also we don't want it to look like a 131 00:07:00,279 --> 00:07:01,560 Speaker 2: DMZ with cages up all that. 132 00:07:01,880 --> 00:07:05,080 Speaker 1: Absolutely, Yeah, so we know. 133 00:07:05,080 --> 00:07:07,320 Speaker 2: It's a problem. Listen. We are happy to catch up 134 00:07:07,360 --> 00:07:11,520 Speaker 2: with people and if they have some suggestions where you know, 135 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:14,160 Speaker 2: we're open because things do have. 136 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:17,160 Speaker 1: To change, absolutely, and you know, I would imagine that 137 00:07:17,160 --> 00:07:19,880 Speaker 1: that sends certainly wants the you know, wants the shopping 138 00:07:19,880 --> 00:07:23,400 Speaker 1: center to succeed, and I've got to say, some fantastic 139 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:27,200 Speaker 1: new additions, some fantastic new shops in there. So it's 140 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:29,800 Speaker 1: you know, there's no doubt that there is plenty of 141 00:07:29,800 --> 00:07:31,480 Speaker 1: different things that we all want to go in there 142 00:07:31,520 --> 00:07:33,480 Speaker 1: and see, and plenty of different places we want to 143 00:07:33,480 --> 00:07:36,720 Speaker 1: shop at. But yeah, that issue at the moment, with 144 00:07:36,760 --> 00:07:38,920 Speaker 1: some of the anti social behavior that we're saying, it's 145 00:07:38,960 --> 00:07:39,720 Speaker 1: a tough one. 146 00:07:41,000 --> 00:07:44,320 Speaker 2: Well, we are genuine and happy to speak on a 147 00:07:44,360 --> 00:07:48,440 Speaker 2: regular basis report on the progress and certainly, you know, 148 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:51,120 Speaker 2: sometimes it might be things that are easy to discuss 149 00:07:51,160 --> 00:07:53,480 Speaker 2: offline as to because you know, we've got to be 150 00:07:53,480 --> 00:07:55,160 Speaker 2: careful we don't say that the wrong thing. But when 151 00:07:55,200 --> 00:07:57,800 Speaker 2: you're talking about the tenants. That's one of our folkus 152 00:07:57,880 --> 00:08:00,280 Speaker 2: is to try and get best to breed. There was 153 00:08:00,280 --> 00:08:03,960 Speaker 2: one international tenant open there in December. I won't give 154 00:08:03,960 --> 00:08:08,120 Speaker 2: them any free free publicity, but their budget for the year, 155 00:08:08,280 --> 00:08:13,240 Speaker 2: and I will say was anyway, I won't so many 156 00:08:13,240 --> 00:08:16,119 Speaker 2: minion but they did what they did twenty five percent 157 00:08:16,560 --> 00:08:18,520 Speaker 2: of their annual budget in the first three weeks. 158 00:08:18,640 --> 00:08:21,480 Speaker 1: Yeah. Right, so they're doing well, there's no doubt about it. 159 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:25,800 Speaker 2: Yeah. There was another store that opened a week ago. 160 00:08:26,120 --> 00:08:28,480 Speaker 2: It was just a little pop up ten square meters 161 00:08:28,520 --> 00:08:31,280 Speaker 2: like the size of a couple of toilets, and within 162 00:08:31,320 --> 00:08:34,120 Speaker 2: the after two days it was their number three store 163 00:08:34,160 --> 00:08:34,800 Speaker 2: in Australia. 164 00:08:35,880 --> 00:08:36,360 Speaker 1: Wow. 165 00:08:36,640 --> 00:08:40,760 Speaker 2: We also, while there's security issues, people do like going there. 166 00:08:41,000 --> 00:08:44,080 Speaker 2: We want to improve that experience. But we know that 167 00:08:44,080 --> 00:08:47,520 Speaker 2: the people have to feel have to feel safe, and 168 00:08:47,559 --> 00:08:50,840 Speaker 2: that is the highest priority. And we've got people working 169 00:08:50,840 --> 00:08:53,640 Speaker 2: out now and certainly within the next sixty days. I 170 00:08:53,679 --> 00:08:55,280 Speaker 2: would like to think that there's going to be a 171 00:08:55,280 --> 00:08:58,720 Speaker 2: noticeable difference. But if people have a suggestion, please don't 172 00:08:58,720 --> 00:09:03,520 Speaker 2: hesitate contact us because if they've got a suggestion that works, 173 00:09:03,760 --> 00:09:06,040 Speaker 2: we're happy to take it up. We're not running away 174 00:09:06,040 --> 00:09:06,680 Speaker 2: from the problem. 175 00:09:06,800 --> 00:09:09,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, Warren, we really appreciate your time this morning, 176 00:09:09,280 --> 00:09:12,040 Speaker 1: and certainly you guys have been incredibly open with us, 177 00:09:12,080 --> 00:09:14,559 Speaker 1: always happy to come on the show, and we appreciate that. 178 00:09:14,840 --> 00:09:17,240 Speaker 1: We will talk to you again in the near future 179 00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:19,320 Speaker 1: let us know how those you know, how some of 180 00:09:19,360 --> 00:09:22,240 Speaker 1: those updates are going, and when there is progress in 181 00:09:22,280 --> 00:09:25,520 Speaker 1: this space. But yeah, I'm certainly a frequent shopper mate, 182 00:09:25,559 --> 00:09:30,440 Speaker 1: so I'll be able to let you know as well. Thanks, 183 00:09:32,320 --> 00:09:35,760 Speaker 1: thank you, We appreciate your time. That is Warreny. But 184 00:09:35,800 --> 00:09:39,960 Speaker 1: there he is the Sentinel Property Group executive chairman. And yeah, 185 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:41,960 Speaker 1: by the sounds of things, they are looking at a 186 00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:45,440 Speaker 1: few different options in terms of really trying to curb 187 00:09:45,480 --> 00:09:47,720 Speaker 1: some of those issues that we're saying with crime and 188 00:09:47,760 --> 00:09:50,280 Speaker 1: anti social behavior in that area. As you've heard there 189 00:09:50,320 --> 00:09:54,040 Speaker 1: though from him, it's not something that they alone can do. 190 00:09:54,160 --> 00:09:57,559 Speaker 1: They do need to have options, you know, with the government, 191 00:09:57,600 --> 00:10:00,800 Speaker 1: with the council, with the police, need to look at 192 00:10:00,840 --> 00:10:03,200 Speaker 1: at you know, quite a wide ranging approach.