Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
But as we know, well, the starter guns definitely fired
for local government elections with the candidates being declared on Friday,
and I'll take it through those a little later on
the show. But it does mean that the local councils
are now in care take the mode. So joining us
in the studio instead of the Lord Mayor of the
City of Darwin conbat scalas well, we've got the CEO,
Simone Saunders in the studio.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Good morning, some ode morning Katie.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Thanks so much for your time. Now, Simone, from a
council's perspective, and certainly from your perspective, what does it
mean now that the council is in caretaker mode.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Yeah, so we went into caretaker on Friday and that'll
last right through to the eighth of September. And what
it means is that we don't have any council meetings
during that time and councils not actually sitting to make
decisions during that time. We also won't make do any
community consultation during that time. But from an operational perspective,
(00:53):
it's business as usual for myself and the team.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Well, that's good to hear, and I'm sure that there's
plenty going on and I know that there is a
bit going on with Smith Street. You and I have
spoken about Smith Street on numerous occasions, as we have
with the MEA. But I understand there's going to be
some impacts on traffic and the parking which actually start today.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
That's correct. We've got the next stage of the works
which will go for about two weeks and what you'll
see is one way traffic from Edmund Street to Peel
Street and also no vehicle act access between Smith and
Cearc Street. So but pedestrian access still remains open. All
the businesses in the area remain open, but there's just
(01:35):
some change traffic conditions and if you jump onto the
website you can have a look as well on City
of dum website with it with a map as well.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
So how long are those change traffic conditions sit to
be in place.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
It's approximately two weeks for the next stage and then
it'll change again for another two weeks which will be
the next stage of stage of the works. As we
move towards the end.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
It does feel like there's been a lot of disruption
for those businesses on that straight look.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
It has definitely had an impact on the businesses in
the area and council recognizes that it's always difficult when
we do work in the CBD, especially when we're putting
new tree pits in and it does take a bit
to you know, pull up roads. So there has been
a fair bit of infrastructure in the works that have
gone along there. Our team continue to work with the
(02:21):
businesses though in the area and any queries or questions
from the businesses come into the infrastructure team and they'll
talk through what's happening. And it's also in the updates
that's going out to the businesses and the community on
a weekly basis.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
So might I've had a few people contact me going
what is the go with the massive rocks in the
strait on Smith Straight.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
So as part of the works there, there was an
expression of interest for artwork for the area and there
was four different projects that were chosen. One of them
is and it is not it's not traffic management or
anything like that from an anti terrorist which I did here.
It's called Foundation Stone, the work of art and it's
(03:01):
Mount Bundy Rock And what it is is that in
Darwin we have Mount Bundee Rock is in our roads,
it's in our pavement and it builds a huge amount
of the city of Darwin, so part of it, the
geological I guess aspect of that is represented in this
piece of artwork. And it's also a micro mobility hub,
so you'll see bike cracks will be installed one side
(03:21):
and then there'll be a space for scooter parking on
one side as well. Once it's all finished, and they'll
have a QR code and everything about the artists and
the work.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
I know, I've definitely had some people say to me,
you know, why has that gone in rather than sort
of and taking out parks.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Oh. Look, as part of the whole project, there was
the like I said, expression of interest and a panel
that went through and the artwork to be installed was
on the road, which does mean the reduction in parking,
but also it gives as part of the whole intersection there.
It'll become a shed zone almost so it'll be a
lower speed limit over that area and there's going to
(03:58):
be the Denise Cole's work will be on the road
there as well, so we'll really become like a slowed
focal point around that area. There's going to be more yeah,
there's no no, no, sorry, the artwork. Yeah, more artwork.
There's something called hermit hustle and it's like little crustaceans
and crabs. It will be stenseled onto the road there,
so that whole intersection it will be part of you know,
(04:20):
I guess a hub, hub and point of interest.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
Yeah, all right, well we'll keep an eye on that.
Keen to hear from anybody out there listening this morning,
if you've been passed there and what you're thinking so far?
Now some moon I want to ask, I understand there's
a Life with Dogs workshop that's happening. Is that tonight?
Speaker 2 (04:35):
Yes, Their Life with Dogs Workshop is on Lines Community
Center tonight. It kicks off at five point thirty pm
and it's Lin's Community Center. Is a great space and
a bit of room. So we just encourage you if
you'd like to attend for that workshop, to jump onto
Poor Site K nine behavior and register for interest in
that and City of Down continues to partner with paor
(04:57):
site over the next few months. If you can't make
this one, we've still got the you know, be Polite,
Don't Bite and some other workshops and there's one a
month from September through through to December that the community
can attend.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
And there's also a well the council is also encouraging
the community to help report sightings of stray cats. Are
they quite problematic? Stray cats?
Speaker 2 (05:18):
The feral cuts in the Daar municipality are a problem,
and especially when you go out to our nature reserves,
so out around Lee Point and those other areas we
do we do have problems. So as part of getting
more data and like how of the feral cuts are
moving through the areas, there's a Feral Scan cat tracking
program and app. So we really encourage the community if
they'd like to get involved, to download the free Feral
(05:41):
Scan up on their phone and record the sightings in
their neighborhood of any feral cats. And this program is
running from August through to through to February and more
information on the City of Darwin website.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
All Right, someone, one of the issues that we've had
a lot of people get in contact with us about
is and we did speak to the Lord Mayor about
is the council looking at Nakara Oval due to those
issues with parking. Now we've been told by convat Scalas
that there was going to be alternatives considered to the
(06:13):
Nakara Oval due to those issues with parking. Is there
an update on that situation?
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Yeap. My understanding is we've got another three to four
weeks of the soccer and the junior season. But it's great.
We have had an uptake as understand in interest in
soccer and football in the NT which is really good.
So one of the challenges we have without having lighting
on certain ovals and we need more. We need more
lighting on ovals. It means we often have you know,
costers of games together, which suits obviously families and also volunteers.
(06:43):
But Nakara oval has been problematic. There's only a limited
amount of parking there and what we're doing is working
with football and Tea and we had a meeting with
them last week. We can look at maybe some additional
line marking so that people are really clear where they
can park, and additional signing not to park on the verge.
But overall with that, in the past three years, over
(07:06):
all the ovals City of Darwin's actually only issued thirty
six fines.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
Well those thirty six people have been pissed.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
I know, but it was a cluster at Nakara of
fourteen fines issued, which is probably when a lot of
feedback came through the show, but rangers had been around
every weekend warning and you know, educating, educating people. And
what we did find the people that did receive fines
were sometimes sitting in their car on their phone, engine
running and they were asked to move and they didn't
(07:35):
want to move. So the rangers have to issue fines
under the Traffic Act and regulations in that. So educative
process is always the way that we go, and we'll
work with football and Tea so that they can help
educate their members as well.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
So are we talking people parking on the virgin in
driveways or are we talking people parking on the dirt
and grass area that's there.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Yep. So the areas when we say virgin driveways, areas
around the oval still have significant infrastructure in place, so
there's irrigation in those and there's also tree route protection
and damage zone. So for all the ovals, there's a
protection zone around the outside of the oval and you
can't park up up on the verge adjacent to the
oval because it does it does cause issues. So we
(08:19):
really encourage people in the Kara, for instance, have a
look at what other streets are available and you might
have to walk you know, five minutes to get the
kids in there. But we really encourage that.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
So well the Council consider not making those fourteen people
that got fined actually pay.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
They have to under legislation. So there's no even discretion
for myself that under those by laws when those fines
have been issued in under the Traffic Act, they've been
in fringe for parking illegally, so they will need to
be paid those fines unless there was an alternative reason,
and that would just go straight through the normal the normal.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
So you consident that like that what the Council is
doing now with you know, with football and the going
to be able to find a solution because there's such
a huge take up of kids playing soccer and I
know that it may be you know, it might be
annoying if you live in that area, particularly if someone
parks in your driveway, but the last thing we want
is for families not taking their kids to those wonderful
(09:15):
sports and involved in those sports. And you know yourself,
it can be an absolute juggle to try and get
your kids there on time and to try and get
them in there. You think you're parking in the right space,
and then something like that happens, I'd be quite upset.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
I think though with the well Definitely from an educative perspective,
Nakara is more challenging because there's no other areas around,
whereas Malac there's the Watersword multi Generational Recreational Space which
is going in behind and there'll be additional parking there,
and Malac has also got adjacent parking Fanny Bay. Also
for next season, we need to have a look at
(09:51):
where we can get additional parking because there is it
is shorter parking, but I think Katie that if you're
parking blocking a driveway, we also the other We have
a lot of neighbors that actually ring in and complain
about people parking illegally and either blocking line of sites
which can be really really dangerous for safety of the kids,
or blocking driveways. So, like I said this, over three years,
(10:13):
it's only been thirty six infringement and it really has
been where somebody's been told they're parked illegally and they've refused.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
To move or unfortunately we've run out of time so
we are going to have to leave it there. Someone
has just messaged on and said Katie, if people park
on the grass, that will become do it carpool. Look,
there's others messaging through as well about those fines, so
we'll continue to talk about that after ten. Simone Saunders,
CEO of the City of Darwin, thanks so much for
your time this morning.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
Thanks Katie,
But as we know, well, the starter guns definitely fired
for local government elections with the candidates being declared on Friday,
and I'll take it through those a little later on
the show. But it does mean that the local councils
are now in care take the mode. So joining us
in the studio instead of the Lord Mayor of the
City of Darwin conbat scalas well, we've got the CEO,
Simone Saunders in the studio.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Good morning, some ode morning Katie.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Thanks so much for your time. Now, Simone, from a
council's perspective, and certainly from your perspective, what does it
mean now that the council is in caretaker mode.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Yeah, so we went into caretaker on Friday and that'll
last right through to the eighth of September. And what
it means is that we don't have any council meetings
during that time and councils not actually sitting to make
decisions during that time. We also won't make do any
community consultation during that time. But from an operational perspective,
(00:53):
it's business as usual for myself and the team.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Well, that's good to hear, and I'm sure that there's
plenty going on and I know that there is a
bit going on with Smith Street. You and I have
spoken about Smith Street on numerous occasions, as we have
with the MEA. But I understand there's going to be
some impacts on traffic and the parking which actually start today.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
That's correct. We've got the next stage of the works
which will go for about two weeks and what you'll
see is one way traffic from Edmund Street to Peel
Street and also no vehicle act access between Smith and
Cearc Street. So but pedestrian access still remains open. All
the businesses in the area remain open, but there's just
(01:35):
some change traffic conditions and if you jump onto the
website you can have a look as well on City
of dum website with it with a map as well.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
So how long are those change traffic conditions sit to
be in place.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
It's approximately two weeks for the next stage and then
it'll change again for another two weeks which will be
the next stage of stage of the works. As we
move towards the end.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
It does feel like there's been a lot of disruption
for those businesses on that straight look.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
It has definitely had an impact on the businesses in
the area and council recognizes that it's always difficult when
we do work in the CBD, especially when we're putting
new tree pits in and it does take a bit
to you know, pull up roads. So there has been
a fair bit of infrastructure in the works that have
gone along there. Our team continue to work with the
(02:21):
businesses though in the area and any queries or questions
from the businesses come into the infrastructure team and they'll
talk through what's happening. And it's also in the updates
that's going out to the businesses and the community on
a weekly basis.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
So might I've had a few people contact me going
what is the go with the massive rocks in the
strait on Smith Straight.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
So as part of the works there, there was an
expression of interest for artwork for the area and there
was four different projects that were chosen. One of them
is and it is not it's not traffic management or
anything like that from an anti terrorist which I did here.
It's called Foundation Stone, the work of art and it's
(03:01):
Mount Bundy Rock And what it is is that in
Darwin we have Mount Bundee Rock is in our roads,
it's in our pavement and it builds a huge amount
of the city of Darwin, so part of it, the
geological I guess aspect of that is represented in this
piece of artwork. And it's also a micro mobility hub,
so you'll see bike cracks will be installed one side
(03:21):
and then there'll be a space for scooter parking on
one side as well. Once it's all finished, and they'll
have a QR code and everything about the artists and
the work.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
I know, I've definitely had some people say to me,
you know, why has that gone in rather than sort
of and taking out parks.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Oh. Look, as part of the whole project, there was
the like I said, expression of interest and a panel
that went through and the artwork to be installed was
on the road, which does mean the reduction in parking,
but also it gives as part of the whole intersection there.
It'll become a shed zone almost so it'll be a
lower speed limit over that area and there's going to
(03:58):
be the Denise Cole's work will be on the road
there as well, so we'll really become like a slowed
focal point around that area. There's going to be more yeah,
there's no no, no, sorry, the artwork. Yeah, more artwork.
There's something called hermit hustle and it's like little crustaceans
and crabs. It will be stenseled onto the road there,
so that whole intersection it will be part of you know,
(04:20):
I guess a hub, hub and point of interest.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
Yeah, all right, well we'll keep an eye on that.
Keen to hear from anybody out there listening this morning,
if you've been passed there and what you're thinking so far?
Now some moon I want to ask, I understand there's
a Life with Dogs workshop that's happening. Is that tonight?
Speaker 2 (04:35):
Yes, Their Life with Dogs Workshop is on Lines Community
Center tonight. It kicks off at five point thirty pm
and it's Lin's Community Center. Is a great space and
a bit of room. So we just encourage you if
you'd like to attend for that workshop, to jump onto
Poor Site K nine behavior and register for interest in
that and City of Down continues to partner with paor
(04:57):
site over the next few months. If you can't make
this one, we've still got the you know, be Polite,
Don't Bite and some other workshops and there's one a
month from September through through to December that the community
can attend.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
And there's also a well the council is also encouraging
the community to help report sightings of stray cats. Are
they quite problematic? Stray cats?
Speaker 2 (05:18):
The feral cuts in the Daar municipality are a problem,
and especially when you go out to our nature reserves,
so out around Lee Point and those other areas we
do we do have problems. So as part of getting
more data and like how of the feral cuts are
moving through the areas, there's a Feral Scan cat tracking
program and app. So we really encourage the community if
they'd like to get involved, to download the free Feral
(05:41):
Scan up on their phone and record the sightings in
their neighborhood of any feral cats. And this program is
running from August through to through to February and more
information on the City of Darwin website.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
All Right, someone, one of the issues that we've had
a lot of people get in contact with us about
is and we did speak to the Lord Mayor about
is the council looking at Nakara Oval due to those
issues with parking. Now we've been told by convat Scalas
that there was going to be alternatives considered to the
(06:13):
Nakara Oval due to those issues with parking. Is there
an update on that situation?
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Yeap. My understanding is we've got another three to four
weeks of the soccer and the junior season. But it's great.
We have had an uptake as understand in interest in
soccer and football in the NT which is really good.
So one of the challenges we have without having lighting
on certain ovals and we need more. We need more
lighting on ovals. It means we often have you know,
costers of games together, which suits obviously families and also volunteers.
(06:43):
But Nakara oval has been problematic. There's only a limited
amount of parking there and what we're doing is working
with football and Tea and we had a meeting with
them last week. We can look at maybe some additional
line marking so that people are really clear where they
can park, and additional signing not to park on the verge.
But overall with that, in the past three years, over
(07:06):
all the ovals City of Darwin's actually only issued thirty
six fines.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
Well those thirty six people have been pissed.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
I know, but it was a cluster at Nakara of
fourteen fines issued, which is probably when a lot of
feedback came through the show, but rangers had been around
every weekend warning and you know, educating, educating people. And
what we did find the people that did receive fines
were sometimes sitting in their car on their phone, engine
running and they were asked to move and they didn't
(07:35):
want to move. So the rangers have to issue fines
under the Traffic Act and regulations in that. So educative
process is always the way that we go, and we'll
work with football and Tea so that they can help
educate their members as well.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
So are we talking people parking on the virgin in
driveways or are we talking people parking on the dirt
and grass area that's there.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Yep. So the areas when we say virgin driveways, areas
around the oval still have significant infrastructure in place, so
there's irrigation in those and there's also tree route protection
and damage zone. So for all the ovals, there's a
protection zone around the outside of the oval and you
can't park up up on the verge adjacent to the
oval because it does it does cause issues. So we
(08:19):
really encourage people in the Kara, for instance, have a
look at what other streets are available and you might
have to walk you know, five minutes to get the
kids in there. But we really encourage that.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
So well the Council consider not making those fourteen people
that got fined actually pay.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
They have to under legislation. So there's no even discretion
for myself that under those by laws when those fines
have been issued in under the Traffic Act, they've been
in fringe for parking illegally, so they will need to
be paid those fines unless there was an alternative reason,
and that would just go straight through the normal the normal.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
So you consident that like that what the Council is
doing now with you know, with football and the going
to be able to find a solution because there's such
a huge take up of kids playing soccer and I
know that it may be you know, it might be
annoying if you live in that area, particularly if someone
parks in your driveway, but the last thing we want
is for families not taking their kids to those wonderful
(09:15):
sports and involved in those sports. And you know yourself,
it can be an absolute juggle to try and get
your kids there on time and to try and get
them in there. You think you're parking in the right space,
and then something like that happens, I'd be quite upset.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
I think though with the well Definitely from an educative perspective,
Nakara is more challenging because there's no other areas around,
whereas Malac there's the Watersword multi Generational Recreational Space which
is going in behind and there'll be additional parking there,
and Malac has also got adjacent parking Fanny Bay. Also
for next season, we need to have a look at
(09:51):
where we can get additional parking because there is it
is shorter parking, but I think Katie that if you're
parking blocking a driveway, we also the other We have
a lot of neighbors that actually ring in and complain
about people parking illegally and either blocking line of sites
which can be really really dangerous for safety of the kids,
or blocking driveways. So, like I said this, over three years,
(10:13):
it's only been thirty six infringement and it really has
been where somebody's been told they're parked illegally and they've refused.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
To move or unfortunately we've run out of time so
we are going to have to leave it there. Someone
has just messaged on and said Katie, if people park
on the grass, that will become do it carpool. Look,
there's others messaging through as well about those fines, so
we'll continue to talk about that after ten. Simone Saunders,
CEO of the City of Darwin, thanks so much for
your time this morning.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
Thanks Katie,
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