September 2, 2026 • 9 mins
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
A little earlier, we heard from the CEO of Tamborin
after it was celebrated as a major moment for the
Northern Territory this week with the official turning on of
the gas at the Beetaloo sub-basin on Tuesday. Now, the
government says that it's going to unlock billions of dollars
in economic value as well as thousands of jobs. But
what does it mean for the people of the Barclay region? Well,
(00:21):
joining us on the show is Sid Vashis, the Mayor
of the Barclay Regional Council. Good morning to you, Sid.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Good morning, Katie, and good morning to the listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Lovely to have you on the show. Sid, tell me,
what does the turning on of the gas at the
Beedaloo mean? What are people in the region saying?
Speaker 3 (00:40):
Barclay is in a very exciting phase, Katie, and the commissioning,
the first commissioning of the gas to the Northern Territory
to meet Northern Territory supply.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
It's something that's very welcoming for us.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
It's something that is exciting to.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
for the region and we want to ensure that while
the economic growth.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Is happening at a very fast paced environment around us,
we are infrastructure ready. And are we infrastructure ready to
benefit where these proponents are spending a lot of money?
I don't think so. And this is where we continue
to lobby with the government to ensure that there's money
(01:20):
flowing into our communities and local government is where we
can actually upgrade the road, provide better services. And we
should be in the front and centre of the negotiations
and the conversations. But sadly, in the Northern Territory, that
is not the case. And that's something that we want
to work with the private sector, work with the government,
(01:44):
and ensure that we are delivering for our communities. And
local government will be the best place.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
To do it.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
And that's a struggle for us at the moment. But
we want to make sure and to... the private sector's, like,
interest and to our community's interest, to the local Aboriginal
people's interest. We want to ensure that we are lobbying
and delivering for our communities and our townships.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
So, Sid, tell me, what kind of infrastructure do you
think is needed as, you know, as things really do
get moving?
Speaker 2 (02:18):
In Tennant Creek, we have the... Goals have been processed now.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
We've already got the first commissioning of the gas up north,
north of Elliott. We are looking at renewables, conversations around AI,
data centers. The pastoral sector is increasing its capacity. And
for a place that already has an infrastructure deficit, when
you're talking about lack of housing, for example, Katie, where
(02:45):
we don't have enough service lots, we would love to
see the governments talk about increasing service lots enabling construction
and enabling more houses being built. We don't have accommodation
for these people, you know, and this is where there
needs to be a two and four in a relationship
and a win-win for all. And the proponents, obviously, they're
(03:07):
cashed up, they're moving at a really fast pace and
they won't be waiting for us. And I don't blame them.
And this is where us as local government, us as
governments need to be the visionaries in providing the policies
and platform to do so.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
So talk me through what you want to see happen
to ensure that local government can capitalise on this investment
into the region.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
Our council is currently working actively with the DLP and
DLI to ensure that we have enough knowledge on the
ground and there's enough consultations.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
Done in the past where we know where the service.
Speaker 3 (03:51):
Lots need to increase, what towns and what communities where
we need to have these developments. We do not need
another piece of paper to tell us another piece of
research that's going to take 12 to 18 months or
24 months. By that time, the proponents have already built
a new mining village. By the time they've already gone
(04:13):
out and said, no, well, we've created a new staging area.
This is where the new logistic hubs might potentially go.
We need to ensure that we are part of the story.
We need to make sure that they're working with us,
not for us.
Speaker 1 (04:29):
So, you know, obviously there is a need for these
discussions to happen to make sure that, you know, that
the Barclay is able to move with this investment as
it gets underway or, you know, with this development, I guess,
of industry as it gets underway. Sid, what are people
saying in terms of jobs and what are you hoping
for in that sense?
Speaker 3 (04:51):
The key thing that we keep hearing from our community,
from our traditional owners and stakeholders, has been.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Education, education, education.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
We need to have pathways where currently our workforce might
do some labour work, but in the longevity of these projects,
we need engineers. You need people who are skilled and
qualified people who are locally based and putting the money
back into our communities. And do we have that skilled workforce?
(05:19):
We don't. How do we get there? We need to
work with the private sector to ensure that they're actually
spending money into vocational education training, into having pathways for
our young people who will actually take these jobs in
five to 10 years. That's what we need to keep
actively having the conversations and lobby and achieve those outcomes.
(05:41):
Is the private sector listening? Yes, they are. Yes, they are,
and I need to be very clear about that. That's good.
And I really welcome that. But how do we actually
convert that into real action?
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
Well, that's something that needs a lot of push and lobbying,
and this is where we need the government's support. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
Hey, in terms of, you know, the government saying that
the Beedaloo could unlock billions of dollars in economic value,
how significant is that for the Barclay, but also how
do you make sure that you're sort of capitalising on that?
Speaker 3 (06:15):
This is a once-in-a-hundred-year opportunity for the Barclay, and not
just Barclay, for the Northern Territory. We are very land-rich,
but socioeconomically, our people live in poverty. And this is
where we need to ensure that we are changing the narrative,
we're changing that story, and we're ensuring... There's jobs for
(06:36):
the local community, there's investment in the local community and
our communities are thriving and it's a win-win situation for
the private sector, for local government, for the communities and
the Aboriginal people who are living in these communities.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
And look, I know you've touched on this, but what
do you think needs to happen right now to make
sure that the benefits of the Beedaloo gas are actually felt,
you know, right across the region?
Speaker 3 (07:00):
We need a holistic solution in conversations about Katie, and
I'm very biased. I want to answer this with my
local government hat on, right? And it's really important. Local government,
Berkeley is the second largest local government area in Australia.
We have a holistic way of dealing and actioning and
(07:21):
supporting our people in our communities. Whether it's your roads,
whether it's your rubbish, whether it's much more than what
the local government currently do in other areas. We need
the money for these community councils now. We're looking at
an operational loss of $ 3. 4 million. Mind you, that's the
(07:43):
operational losses. That's the money we would have loved to
spend enabling better infrastructure in our communities, better roads in
our communities. When you're targeting small audiences and negotiating with
small audiences, it's not a holistic path forward. And this
is where we need to ensure that that local government
becomes part of the narrative and the storytelling. We can't
(08:06):
even rate an active mine site that's producing gold. The
local cafe is paying more rates than what the mine
is paying at the moment. There's a lot of catching
up to do in Northern Territory when it comes to
that in the local government space. And this is where
I'm really passionate about this. We need to make sure
that we are changing that narrative, we're changing that story,
(08:28):
where Local government can actually deliver better parks where even
the fee-for workforce that's coming in, they will want to
spend time here. And while they're spending time here, they
enjoy it.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
It's a livable environment, which.
Speaker 3 (08:44):
Is producing a happy workforce. And maybe some of those
people will want to move to the Northern Territory. Maybe
they might want to stay in Santa Creek or live
in Palmerston or Darwin. That's what we want. It's a
win-win for the Northern Territory, but it will only happen
when the governments walk with the local government.
Speaker 1 (09:02):
Well, Sid Vashis, the Mayor of the Barclay Regional Council,
really good to speak with you this morning. I appreciate
you having a chat with us and bringing that perspective.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
Lovely talking to you, Katie. Thank you.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
Thanks so much.
A little earlier, we heard from the CEO of Tamborin
after it was celebrated as a major moment for the
Northern Territory this week with the official turning on of
the gas at the Beetaloo sub-basin on Tuesday. Now, the
government says that it's going to unlock billions of dollars
in economic value as well as thousands of jobs. But
what does it mean for the people of the Barclay region? Well,
(00:21):
joining us on the show is Sid Vashis, the Mayor
of the Barclay Regional Council. Good morning to you, Sid.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Good morning, Katie, and good morning to the listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Lovely to have you on the show. Sid, tell me,
what does the turning on of the gas at the
Beedaloo mean? What are people in the region saying?
Speaker 3 (00:40):
Barclay is in a very exciting phase, Katie, and the commissioning,
the first commissioning of the gas to the Northern Territory
to meet Northern Territory supply.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
It's something that's very welcoming for us.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
It's something that is exciting to.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
for the region and we want to ensure that while
the economic growth.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Is happening at a very fast paced environment around us,
we are infrastructure ready. And are we infrastructure ready to
benefit where these proponents are spending a lot of money?
I don't think so. And this is where we continue
to lobby with the government to ensure that there's money
(01:20):
flowing into our communities and local government is where we
can actually upgrade the road, provide better services. And we
should be in the front and centre of the negotiations
and the conversations. But sadly, in the Northern Territory, that
is not the case. And that's something that we want
to work with the private sector, work with the government,
(01:44):
and ensure that we are delivering for our communities. And
local government will be the best place.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
To do it.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
And that's a struggle for us at the moment. But
we want to make sure and to... the private sector's, like,
interest and to our community's interest, to the local Aboriginal
people's interest. We want to ensure that we are lobbying
and delivering for our communities and our townships.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
So, Sid, tell me, what kind of infrastructure do you
think is needed as, you know, as things really do
get moving?
Speaker 2 (02:18):
In Tennant Creek, we have the... Goals have been processed now.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
We've already got the first commissioning of the gas up north,
north of Elliott. We are looking at renewables, conversations around AI,
data centers. The pastoral sector is increasing its capacity. And
for a place that already has an infrastructure deficit, when
you're talking about lack of housing, for example, Katie, where
(02:45):
we don't have enough service lots, we would love to
see the governments talk about increasing service lots enabling construction
and enabling more houses being built. We don't have accommodation
for these people, you know, and this is where there
needs to be a two and four in a relationship
and a win-win for all. And the proponents, obviously, they're
(03:07):
cashed up, they're moving at a really fast pace and
they won't be waiting for us. And I don't blame them.
And this is where us as local government, us as
governments need to be the visionaries in providing the policies
and platform to do so.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
So talk me through what you want to see happen
to ensure that local government can capitalise on this investment
into the region.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
Our council is currently working actively with the DLP and
DLI to ensure that we have enough knowledge on the
ground and there's enough consultations.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
Done in the past where we know where the service.
Speaker 3 (03:51):
Lots need to increase, what towns and what communities where
we need to have these developments. We do not need
another piece of paper to tell us another piece of
research that's going to take 12 to 18 months or
24 months. By that time, the proponents have already built
a new mining village. By the time they've already gone
(04:13):
out and said, no, well, we've created a new staging area.
This is where the new logistic hubs might potentially go.
We need to ensure that we are part of the story.
We need to make sure that they're working with us,
not for us.
Speaker 1 (04:29):
So, you know, obviously there is a need for these
discussions to happen to make sure that, you know, that
the Barclay is able to move with this investment as
it gets underway or, you know, with this development, I guess,
of industry as it gets underway. Sid, what are people
saying in terms of jobs and what are you hoping
for in that sense?
Speaker 3 (04:51):
The key thing that we keep hearing from our community,
from our traditional owners and stakeholders, has been.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Education, education, education.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
We need to have pathways where currently our workforce might
do some labour work, but in the longevity of these projects,
we need engineers. You need people who are skilled and
qualified people who are locally based and putting the money
back into our communities. And do we have that skilled workforce?
(05:19):
We don't. How do we get there? We need to
work with the private sector to ensure that they're actually
spending money into vocational education training, into having pathways for
our young people who will actually take these jobs in
five to 10 years. That's what we need to keep
actively having the conversations and lobby and achieve those outcomes.
(05:41):
Is the private sector listening? Yes, they are. Yes, they are,
and I need to be very clear about that. That's good.
And I really welcome that. But how do we actually
convert that into real action?
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
Well, that's something that needs a lot of push and lobbying,
and this is where we need the government's support. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
Hey, in terms of, you know, the government saying that
the Beedaloo could unlock billions of dollars in economic value,
how significant is that for the Barclay, but also how
do you make sure that you're sort of capitalising on that?
Speaker 3 (06:15):
This is a once-in-a-hundred-year opportunity for the Barclay, and not
just Barclay, for the Northern Territory. We are very land-rich,
but socioeconomically, our people live in poverty. And this is
where we need to ensure that we are changing the narrative,
we're changing that story, and we're ensuring... There's jobs for
(06:36):
the local community, there's investment in the local community and
our communities are thriving and it's a win-win situation for
the private sector, for local government, for the communities and
the Aboriginal people who are living in these communities.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
And look, I know you've touched on this, but what
do you think needs to happen right now to make
sure that the benefits of the Beedaloo gas are actually felt,
you know, right across the region?
Speaker 3 (07:00):
We need a holistic solution in conversations about Katie, and
I'm very biased. I want to answer this with my
local government hat on, right? And it's really important. Local government,
Berkeley is the second largest local government area in Australia.
We have a holistic way of dealing and actioning and
(07:21):
supporting our people in our communities. Whether it's your roads,
whether it's your rubbish, whether it's much more than what
the local government currently do in other areas. We need
the money for these community councils now. We're looking at
an operational loss of $ 3. 4 million. Mind you, that's the
(07:43):
operational losses. That's the money we would have loved to
spend enabling better infrastructure in our communities, better roads in
our communities. When you're targeting small audiences and negotiating with
small audiences, it's not a holistic path forward. And this
is where we need to ensure that that local government
becomes part of the narrative and the storytelling. We can't
(08:06):
even rate an active mine site that's producing gold. The
local cafe is paying more rates than what the mine
is paying at the moment. There's a lot of catching
up to do in Northern Territory when it comes to
that in the local government space. And this is where
I'm really passionate about this. We need to make sure
that we are changing that narrative, we're changing that story,
(08:28):
where Local government can actually deliver better parks where even
the fee-for workforce that's coming in, they will want to
spend time here. And while they're spending time here, they
enjoy it.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
It's a livable environment, which.
Speaker 3 (08:44):
Is producing a happy workforce. And maybe some of those
people will want to move to the Northern Territory. Maybe
they might want to stay in Santa Creek or live
in Palmerston or Darwin. That's what we want. It's a
win-win for the Northern Territory, but it will only happen
when the governments walk with the local government.
Speaker 1 (09:02):
Well, Sid Vashis, the Mayor of the Barclay Regional Council,
really good to speak with you this morning. I appreciate
you having a chat with us and bringing that perspective.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
Lovely talking to you, Katie. Thank you.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
Thanks so much.
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