1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:02,240 Speaker 1: Now last week we spoke to Clinton Howe, the Member 2 00:00:02,240 --> 00:00:06,359 Speaker 1: for Drysdale, about delays to review into alcohol in Palmerston. 3 00:00:06,760 --> 00:00:10,120 Speaker 1: Now the Northern Territory Liquor Commission has indeed come under 4 00:00:10,160 --> 00:00:13,399 Speaker 1: fire for the delay, after residents of Gray had raised 5 00:00:13,400 --> 00:00:18,080 Speaker 1: the issue of drunken disorderly behavior, particularly around Victoria Drive 6 00:00:18,280 --> 00:00:22,919 Speaker 1: and Essington Avenue. The Member for Drysdale had formerly approached 7 00:00:22,960 --> 00:00:26,520 Speaker 1: the Northern Territory Liquor Commission in May this year, following 8 00:00:26,520 --> 00:00:30,880 Speaker 1: a spate of particularly violent bashings. The inquiry was launched 9 00:00:30,880 --> 00:00:34,760 Speaker 1: to examine complaints from residents about ongoing anti social behavior 10 00:00:34,840 --> 00:00:39,760 Speaker 1: and alcohol issues. Now this delay its frustrated locals and 11 00:00:39,960 --> 00:00:43,960 Speaker 1: community leaders who say that the problem has continued to worsen. 12 00:00:44,479 --> 00:00:47,400 Speaker 1: The Mayor of Palmerston, Athena Pasco Bell, joins me on 13 00:00:47,520 --> 00:00:51,560 Speaker 1: the line. Good morning, Athena, good morning, Thanks so much 14 00:00:51,560 --> 00:00:54,280 Speaker 1: for your time. Now, Athena, you and I have spoken 15 00:00:54,280 --> 00:00:58,320 Speaker 1: about this before. How has the situation been in that 16 00:00:58,440 --> 00:01:02,400 Speaker 1: area though in recent manas look. 17 00:01:02,520 --> 00:01:05,959 Speaker 2: It really hasn't improved. We're still seeing a lot of 18 00:01:06,280 --> 00:01:10,039 Speaker 2: anti social behavior of public drinking and of course other 19 00:01:10,120 --> 00:01:15,560 Speaker 2: crimes associated with that in that vicinity. It's affecting a 20 00:01:15,680 --> 00:01:18,600 Speaker 2: large proportion of the community because of that, as you mentioned, 21 00:01:18,600 --> 00:01:22,880 Speaker 2: those two roads are fairly dominant roads. There's schools there, 22 00:01:24,040 --> 00:01:26,679 Speaker 2: the community center as well, and so there's a lot 23 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:31,040 Speaker 2: of people that witness what is going on, and at 24 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:32,920 Speaker 2: this stage we just haven't been able to get on 25 00:01:32,959 --> 00:01:33,400 Speaker 2: top of it. 26 00:01:34,040 --> 00:01:36,240 Speaker 1: So what do you make of this delay now, and 27 00:01:36,280 --> 00:01:38,360 Speaker 1: what do you think it's going to mean when you're 28 00:01:38,480 --> 00:01:40,760 Speaker 1: you know, you're take into account all of those issues. 29 00:01:42,240 --> 00:01:46,240 Speaker 2: Look, the delay has been really disappointing, especially because we 30 00:01:46,560 --> 00:01:51,560 Speaker 2: haven't had any communication from the Liquor Commission until this 31 00:01:51,680 --> 00:01:55,280 Speaker 2: last week. So at least, you know, I'm pleased to 32 00:01:55,360 --> 00:02:00,320 Speaker 2: report that mister Goldflin has contacted me and will be 33 00:02:00,360 --> 00:02:03,040 Speaker 2: meeting with the council. But in the lead up to 34 00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:06,880 Speaker 2: Christmas and the new year, it's foreseeable that nothing's going 35 00:02:06,920 --> 00:02:10,640 Speaker 2: to happen until sometime next year. And I understand that 36 00:02:10,680 --> 00:02:14,080 Speaker 2: there are some changes to membership at the Liquor Commission 37 00:02:14,080 --> 00:02:17,359 Speaker 2: as well, so we'll have to wait and see when 38 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:20,239 Speaker 2: the new members come on board and when they can 39 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:24,520 Speaker 2: pick up the workload that's been less behind from the 40 00:02:24,560 --> 00:02:26,520 Speaker 2: previous members and the commission. 41 00:02:27,280 --> 00:02:30,000 Speaker 1: Do you think though, that in the meantime there needs 42 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:32,680 Speaker 1: to be some kind of emergency action or is there 43 00:02:32,760 --> 00:02:35,160 Speaker 1: something that could be done on urgency do you think 44 00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:38,680 Speaker 1: by the liquor Commission in that area to try and 45 00:02:38,720 --> 00:02:42,040 Speaker 1: avoid things I guess blowing up over the Christmas break 46 00:02:42,080 --> 00:02:42,520 Speaker 1: as well. 47 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:46,200 Speaker 2: Look, there are things that they can do, and definitely 48 00:02:46,240 --> 00:02:50,240 Speaker 2: things within their power, such as altering the conditions on 49 00:02:50,320 --> 00:02:53,639 Speaker 2: the licensees. Now that might not be a very popular 50 00:02:53,680 --> 00:02:57,280 Speaker 2: move as far as the licensees are concerned, but it 51 00:02:57,360 --> 00:03:00,960 Speaker 2: might actually make some changes to the life, local conditions 52 00:03:01,040 --> 00:03:06,480 Speaker 2: and the health and social aspects of living in those areas. So, 53 00:03:06,600 --> 00:03:08,480 Speaker 2: you know, this is something that I think the Council 54 00:03:08,480 --> 00:03:11,320 Speaker 2: will definitely raise with the Liquor Commission when we meet 55 00:03:11,320 --> 00:03:15,359 Speaker 2: with them about what effective measures can be put in place. 56 00:03:16,320 --> 00:03:19,400 Speaker 2: And of course, you know, then whatever decisions they make 57 00:03:19,480 --> 00:03:21,880 Speaker 2: could be subject to legal challenge, So we might end 58 00:03:21,960 --> 00:03:26,200 Speaker 2: up nowhere, which is really disappointing for the community. But 59 00:03:26,600 --> 00:03:30,000 Speaker 2: we can only ask and look into it and maybe 60 00:03:30,040 --> 00:03:33,400 Speaker 2: try and implement some measures to see if we can 61 00:03:33,520 --> 00:03:38,120 Speaker 2: control what's happening in those areas. Look, in the past, 62 00:03:38,160 --> 00:03:41,560 Speaker 2: a lot of people have raised it. They've seen you know, 63 00:03:41,640 --> 00:03:46,080 Speaker 2: illegal activity in terms of licensees supplying liquor to people 64 00:03:46,120 --> 00:03:51,760 Speaker 2: who are intoxicated, and other concerns such as that, And 65 00:03:51,800 --> 00:03:56,200 Speaker 2: as much as we've tried to pursue those with licensing, 66 00:03:56,880 --> 00:04:00,600 Speaker 2: they need date and time information so they can go 67 00:04:00,680 --> 00:04:03,680 Speaker 2: back and review footage from any of the licensees. So 68 00:04:04,440 --> 00:04:06,640 Speaker 2: if there's something I can ask the community, if you 69 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:10,880 Speaker 2: see something illegal happening, like the illegal sale of alcohol 70 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:15,680 Speaker 2: to intoxicated people, or you believe a licensee is breaching 71 00:04:15,720 --> 00:04:20,839 Speaker 2: their license conditions, I'm happy to take that information and 72 00:04:20,880 --> 00:04:25,000 Speaker 2: I can provide that to licensing anonymously, But we need 73 00:04:25,040 --> 00:04:26,919 Speaker 2: a date in time so they can go back and 74 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:31,800 Speaker 2: review footage and determine whether the licensee has actually been 75 00:04:31,880 --> 00:04:32,919 Speaker 2: breaching their license. 76 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:36,719 Speaker 1: Yeah right, so, I mean definitely, I would encourage people, 77 00:04:36,760 --> 00:04:38,960 Speaker 1: if they've seen something like that happen, to get in 78 00:04:38,960 --> 00:04:41,880 Speaker 1: contact with the counsel and take notes of the date 79 00:04:42,080 --> 00:04:45,159 Speaker 1: and the time. Athena, you touched on the you know, 80 00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:49,119 Speaker 1: the possibility of altering some of those conditions or putting 81 00:04:49,200 --> 00:04:52,479 Speaker 1: in some different measures in an ideal world, what would 82 00:04:52,520 --> 00:04:54,120 Speaker 1: they look like from your perspective. 83 00:04:55,720 --> 00:04:58,920 Speaker 2: The council does have an alcohol management plan, and one 84 00:04:58,960 --> 00:05:02,000 Speaker 2: of those measures is to reduce the trading hours, or 85 00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:05,160 Speaker 2: at a very minimum, have them consistent right across the 86 00:05:05,160 --> 00:05:09,400 Speaker 2: Palmerston areas, so that all takeaway liquor stores open at 87 00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:12,000 Speaker 2: the same time and they all close at the same 88 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:16,919 Speaker 2: time and just have a narrow window for people to 89 00:05:16,960 --> 00:05:22,920 Speaker 2: purchase alcohol. We see the police often just overworked trying 90 00:05:22,960 --> 00:05:25,880 Speaker 2: to follow up incidents and there's a lot of cases 91 00:05:25,880 --> 00:05:28,760 Speaker 2: where they just don't get to and if we can 92 00:05:28,880 --> 00:05:31,800 Speaker 2: reduce the number of alcohol related incidents that they have 93 00:05:31,880 --> 00:05:34,000 Speaker 2: to respond to, then they'll be able to get back 94 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:39,360 Speaker 2: to their other work more readily. We also have been 95 00:05:39,440 --> 00:05:44,320 Speaker 2: asking for a more targeted education plan, particularly for young 96 00:05:44,400 --> 00:05:47,240 Speaker 2: adults and youth, so that they don't take up drinking 97 00:05:48,400 --> 00:05:52,680 Speaker 2: or understand the risks of heavy drinking. So part of 98 00:05:52,680 --> 00:05:57,120 Speaker 2: an education campaign and anything else that we can sort 99 00:05:57,160 --> 00:06:00,200 Speaker 2: of raise with the Liquor Commission that's within their power 100 00:06:01,440 --> 00:06:05,120 Speaker 2: for altering those conditions. There is a Palmerston liquor record 101 00:06:05,200 --> 00:06:08,720 Speaker 2: as well, and so there has been some good discussion 102 00:06:08,760 --> 00:06:14,000 Speaker 2: and participation with the people who do turn up and 103 00:06:14,080 --> 00:06:17,159 Speaker 2: you know, very fortunately that is some of the major 104 00:06:17,360 --> 00:06:21,920 Speaker 2: liquor suppliers in Palmerston, but not everyone's on board. So 105 00:06:22,160 --> 00:06:25,600 Speaker 2: if I can encourage those members of the liquor industry 106 00:06:25,640 --> 00:06:30,599 Speaker 2: who aren't attending the Liquor Commission the Palmerston Liquor Record meeting, 107 00:06:31,360 --> 00:06:35,719 Speaker 2: they really should turn up, and the liquor Record works 108 00:06:35,760 --> 00:06:39,320 Speaker 2: by those licensees agreeing to their own set of conditions 109 00:06:39,360 --> 00:06:42,279 Speaker 2: without the Liquor Commission coming in over the top of 110 00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:43,679 Speaker 2: them and enforcing those. 111 00:06:44,320 --> 00:06:47,920 Speaker 1: Well, Mayor, I'll be keen to find out more as 112 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:52,640 Speaker 1: this situation progresses, particularly, you know, as you do get 113 00:06:52,640 --> 00:06:56,120 Speaker 1: that further sort of consultation I suppose from the Liquor Commission, 114 00:06:56,200 --> 00:06:58,000 Speaker 1: So keep us up to date with that if you're able. 115 00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:00,520 Speaker 1: I know there's plenty of other things being out in 116 00:07:00,520 --> 00:07:02,560 Speaker 1: Palmerston at the moment though as well. You've just had 117 00:07:03,120 --> 00:07:06,159 Speaker 1: your pre cyclone cleanup. How did it look? 118 00:07:07,400 --> 00:07:10,120 Speaker 2: Look? It went really well. We had over three hundred 119 00:07:10,160 --> 00:07:14,880 Speaker 2: and two tons of waste were collected and thirty seven 120 00:07:14,960 --> 00:07:18,800 Speaker 2: percent of that was diverted from landfill and will be recycled. 121 00:07:19,320 --> 00:07:21,920 Speaker 2: So there were five hundred and fifty e waste items 122 00:07:21,960 --> 00:07:24,680 Speaker 2: and five hundred and thirty eight white goods were collected 123 00:07:24,720 --> 00:07:29,040 Speaker 2: and recycled. We had seventy nine items donated to HPA 124 00:07:29,240 --> 00:07:32,640 Speaker 2: as well, and four hundred and sixty five mattresses were collected, 125 00:07:33,120 --> 00:07:35,720 Speaker 2: So you know, I think everyone this year did their 126 00:07:35,760 --> 00:07:40,040 Speaker 2: bit to make Palmerston cyclone ready. And if you have 127 00:07:40,160 --> 00:07:43,040 Speaker 2: missed the cyclone cleanup, remember that you can use Archo 128 00:07:43,120 --> 00:07:45,640 Speaker 2: if you're a Palmerston resident to take your things there 129 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:49,680 Speaker 2: and you can visit our website to find out where 130 00:07:49,720 --> 00:07:51,640 Speaker 2: you can get other things recycled as well. 131 00:07:52,120 --> 00:07:56,160 Speaker 1: Now, in terms of what's coming up as well over 132 00:07:56,240 --> 00:07:58,600 Speaker 1: the next couple of months, I know that out in Palmerston, 133 00:07:58,680 --> 00:08:01,800 Speaker 1: you guys have plenty that happens for Christmas. What have 134 00:08:01,880 --> 00:08:03,080 Speaker 1: you got planned for this year? 135 00:08:04,200 --> 00:08:08,040 Speaker 2: We have Christmas Wonderland taking over the Parmesan CBD again, 136 00:08:08,200 --> 00:08:11,520 Speaker 2: so that will commence on the sixteenth of December and 137 00:08:11,840 --> 00:08:15,119 Speaker 2: runs through to the twenty third of December from five 138 00:08:15,200 --> 00:08:18,200 Speaker 2: to nine pm daily. And there is also a Low 139 00:08:18,240 --> 00:08:21,760 Speaker 2: Sensory Evening which we held on Monday the fifteenth of 140 00:08:21,800 --> 00:08:24,600 Speaker 2: December from four point thirty to eight thirty and that's 141 00:08:24,680 --> 00:08:30,360 Speaker 2: designed four individuals who benefit from having a reduced sensory 142 00:08:30,720 --> 00:08:36,640 Speaker 2: environment includes lower lighting, softer music and smaller crowds. You 143 00:08:36,760 --> 00:08:41,439 Speaker 2: need to book for the Low Sensory Night, but all 144 00:08:41,520 --> 00:08:45,400 Speaker 2: the nights are Free. We're also part of Wonderland. We'll 145 00:08:45,400 --> 00:08:49,760 Speaker 2: be bringing back the popular attractions such as the Express Train, 146 00:08:50,160 --> 00:08:55,120 Speaker 2: Chulips Galore, the Starbirs Street Carousel, snow Machines and Santas 147 00:08:55,120 --> 00:08:58,680 Speaker 2: Grotto which is great for family pictures, and some new 148 00:08:58,920 --> 00:09:05,360 Speaker 2: editions this year Fanta sky Dancers, additional fans and some 149 00:09:05,679 --> 00:09:09,360 Speaker 2: upgrades to the Arctic Bluft. There'll also be nightly craft 150 00:09:09,360 --> 00:09:13,360 Speaker 2: activities run in the library at ELF's Workshop and a 151 00:09:13,480 --> 00:09:16,200 Speaker 2: dedicated a North Pole Post service where you can post 152 00:09:16,240 --> 00:09:19,600 Speaker 2: your letters to Santa just in time for Christmas and 153 00:09:20,400 --> 00:09:23,200 Speaker 2: in the week of the In the week of the 154 00:09:23,240 --> 00:09:26,360 Speaker 2: fifteenth to the nineteenth of December, the library has some 155 00:09:26,440 --> 00:09:31,360 Speaker 2: morning craft session, so Christmas Craft's happening from ten am. 156 00:09:31,520 --> 00:09:35,120 Speaker 2: And we're also partnering with Mixed one oh four point 157 00:09:35,240 --> 00:09:39,800 Speaker 2: nine for the Christmas Light competition, so if you have 158 00:09:40,480 --> 00:09:43,760 Speaker 2: a well dressed house for Christmas, make sure you enter 159 00:09:43,800 --> 00:09:44,360 Speaker 2: the competition. 160 00:09:44,880 --> 00:09:47,640 Speaker 1: I love Christmas. I mean I think everybody loves Christmas, 161 00:09:47,640 --> 00:09:50,480 Speaker 1: but I love Christmas and I reckon Parmas out in Parmeston. 162 00:09:50,559 --> 00:09:53,800 Speaker 1: You guys do a phenomenal job of bringing the Christmas spirit. 163 00:09:54,440 --> 00:09:56,560 Speaker 1: I like every year we try to come out we 164 00:09:56,600 --> 00:09:59,320 Speaker 1: go out for because I'm a townie, but I like 165 00:09:59,360 --> 00:10:01,480 Speaker 1: to get out to Armiston and go and have dinner 166 00:10:01,520 --> 00:10:05,319 Speaker 1: and then you know, take the kids to the Christmas Wonderland. 167 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:07,640 Speaker 1: It's a fantastic thing to do in such a nice 168 00:10:07,880 --> 00:10:09,720 Speaker 1: way to get into the Christmas spirit. 169 00:10:10,880 --> 00:10:13,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, there's definitely a lot of people put on a 170 00:10:13,200 --> 00:10:17,560 Speaker 2: huge display and it's such a wonderful lead up to 171 00:10:17,640 --> 00:10:20,040 Speaker 2: Christmas to be able to go and just have a 172 00:10:20,080 --> 00:10:22,480 Speaker 2: look at those lights and chat to other people in 173 00:10:22,520 --> 00:10:26,080 Speaker 2: the neighborhood. So yeah, a really great lead up to Christmas. 174 00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:29,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, it is well. Mayor of Palmerston Athena Pasco Bell 175 00:10:29,640 --> 00:10:32,640 Speaker 1: always appreciate your time. Is it raining in Palmerston this morning? 176 00:10:33,360 --> 00:10:36,040 Speaker 2: It is raining, and I'm hoping it might clear out 177 00:10:36,200 --> 00:10:39,000 Speaker 2: for Remembrance Stay service and Memorial Park. 178 00:10:39,200 --> 00:10:41,480 Speaker 1: Yeah. You guys have got a bit planned as well 179 00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:42,559 Speaker 1: this morning, haven't you. 180 00:10:43,640 --> 00:10:47,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, so it will kick off just for eleven am 181 00:10:47,720 --> 00:10:51,560 Speaker 2: in Memorial Park. I understand that they're putting out some gazebos, 182 00:10:51,600 --> 00:10:54,280 Speaker 2: but with the amount of rain that will probably pretty 183 00:10:54,280 --> 00:10:54,920 Speaker 2: wet out there. 184 00:10:55,400 --> 00:10:57,960 Speaker 1: I agree. Well, look, we're all hoping that it just 185 00:10:58,040 --> 00:11:00,960 Speaker 1: calms down for a little while, so that everybody can 186 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:04,680 Speaker 1: get out there and pay their respects for Remembrance Day 187 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:08,560 Speaker 1: Athena Pasco. Bell really appreciate your time. Good to chat 188 00:11:08,559 --> 00:11:09,320 Speaker 1: with you this morning.