Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
As we know, the Darwin and Casarina bus interchanges closed
on Monday. The Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure, Bill Yan,
said that the interchanges have become hot spots for ongoing
antisocial behavior and would be replaced with bus stops. So
how are things going after the first couple of days
of those changes being in place? Will Bill Yan, the
(00:20):
Treasurer and also the Minister for Infrastructure and Logistics, joins
me on the line. Good morning to you.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Bill, Good morning Katie, and good morning all your listeners
in the top end.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Now, first off, how are things tracking after those first
two days of the changes being in place? I mean,
from your perspective, has there been any hiccups?
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Well, I suppose, Katie. Sometimes no news is good news.
But on the first day on Monday, we had people
from DL and I believe that people from CDC the
contractor or out and about around Casurina, and by all
accounts reports back to me, everything has gone quite well,
which is great to see. Look, change doesn't matter what
sort of change. Es are sometimes difficult, but we're starting
(01:02):
to see some good results out of what's happening out
there at casual Ina. So look, I think as people
get used to it. Over time, things will get better.
But the bus tracker app, I believe is one of
the game change, is one of the big ticket things
that's helping make everything work because people can see exactly
where they is, exactly what time is going to show up,
so you don't have to stand around and wait for
(01:24):
five or ten minutes, you know, to the minute or
to the second when your bus is going to show up,
so you can bet your stop and jump on the
bus and be on your way.
Speaker 1 (01:32):
Minister, have you got any numbers in terms of, you know,
how many people have downloaded that app, how many people
are actually using it?
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Excuse me, Well, I don't have those I don't have
those numbers, but I'm going to certainly probably try and
find out. But all accounts, a lot of people are
using the app. I've got people who I work with
who use the bus to get to and from work
who will use the app and they say that's great.
They showed it to me on my phone how to
use it because I was going to get on the
(02:01):
buses the other weekend, but sadly end up crooked and
spent a weekend laid up, so I didn't get to
get out of the buses have my weekend cruise around.
But the first opportunity I get when i'm up there
and I've got some time, I'll be breaking out the
app and I'll be on the buses cruise around to
see how things are going.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
And you know what, I think that a lot of
Territoriens expect and would like to see you on those buses,
as I know you've done before, so that you get
a real sense of how things are going along. Hey, Minister,
I know I did get a message from a concerned
listener on Monday saying, Katie, where are the drivers meant
to go to the restroom without those interchanges.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
The drivers. So with some of the changes that the
CDC have made because they moved their depot out to
bur them out, so they're able to better control how
their drivers get their brakes and bits and pieces so
they are able to swap the drivers out at specific
different stops now, so they're far more flexible on how
(03:01):
they can do that. So the drivers get their brakes
when they need them, which is good. So I haven't
had any issues with.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Me so far.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
By cd C, they've been well and truly on board
this because this helps with drivers safety too, because drivers
were dealing with some of those issues at those interchanges.
So we've been working really hard ever since we came
in together to work on that whole safety package, not
just for the drivers, for the general public. So we're
starting to see results that we've seen reduced incidents, reduced
(03:31):
reported incidents of issues on the buses, and now we'll
start to see that change now that those interchanges have gone,
and see a further reduction in those incidences and that
anti social behavior which everybody wants to see absolutely.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
I think everyone hoping for that now. We did actually
get a call just a couple of moments ago from Tony,
who's a property manager at the Village Shopping Center. He
called about two new bus stops being built right out
the front of the complex on Bradshaw Terrace Scatuccio Street
without consultation. Now he's pretty furious that the problems are
(04:06):
all there right now on his doorstep, and for all
of those people obviously using that center.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
I would imagine, well, I'm not sure about probably at
the bus stops, because the whole idea of the change
going away from inter changes is the bus stops jump
on it and go so there's no need for pole
be standing around or large groups of people to be
waiting somewhere to catch a bus.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
But you'd hope not.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Unfortunately, I would have been talking to people in those areas,
that's for sure.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
So do you reckon d L. I have the department
have spoken to people in those areas, because I know
at different times we've you know, we've talked about the
moving of bus stops even along the Stuart Highway there
in Stuart Park is one where we've spoken about this
because we were then winding up in a situation where people,
unfortunately were loitering around. So are you are you worried
that that's going to become an issue?
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Well, certainly, I hope not, Katie, And I'll check in
with the department and see what work they've done out
there once I get off the phone. But I know
they've been working pretty closely with everybody out around that
Casuaruna area with these changes, because this is not something
that's popped up out of the blue. We've been on
this piece of work now for a number of months,
so I think everybody knew that they said that the
(05:20):
changes were coming, and i'd like to think the deal
has been out there talking to people, so I'll do
those checks once we get off the phone.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
Hey, Bill on the bus drivers, is there any update
on the pay dispute. I know it obviously it falls
under CDC and the unions to negotiate. It's not the
minister's responsibility. However, you must be worried if the union's
sort of not ruling out further industrial action if things
don't get sorted.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Yeah. Look, and I met with I spoke with CDC
prior to the issue. Well, sorry that industrial action the
other week and I've spoken also with the union as well.
They are having a meeting late last week on the
next stage to see where they are at. So I
haven't had any feedback at this stage yet Katie from
(06:07):
that meeting between CDC and the drivers. So yeah, I
need to find out where they're at. I hope. I'm
hoping that they're reaching a resolution because I said, it's
in everybody's best interest at the end of the day,
it's for the company, for the drivers, and of course
at the end of the day for the public who
use their transport systems. So I'm hoping they're getting closer
(06:29):
to reaching a resolution. Again, I suppose sometimes and I'll say,
no news is good news. I didn't hear anything, Yeah,
it will typically come back from that meeting that was
that they hadn't reached a resolution or an impass. So
sometimes when I don't get some news, you hope.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
It's good probably good news.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
Well let's see what we can find out now, Minister.
Not sure if you've seen, but Cat macnamara, the Greens
member for Nightcliff, she's called for a safety review of
safety conditions for pedestrians and cyclists on Baggot Road. Now,
we know that it is notoriously an area where people
are very unfortunately. At different times we've had a number
of people struck by vehicles on Baggot Road there. Do
(07:10):
you think that there needs to be a safety review
or a review of those safety conditions for pedestrians and
cyclists along Baggett Road.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
It's quite interesting, kay, because I know that's the member
for Fanny Day. Laurie Zeo has been trust me, she's
been on my case about this for months and months now,
and I know that the Department have been doing quite
a bit of work looking at Baggot Road about how
everything is situated. Because there's Baggett Road is a couple
other places are hot spots, so that there's some lighting
(07:43):
solutions that have been put in places. We've seem to
see most the issues at night people crossing that road.
So the department has been working on some lighting solutions
for a couple of those hot spots, and there's a
few other things that they've been looking at as far
as road safety in that area goes.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
We're sounds like there could be some announcements to come
on that Bagot Road and you know and regarding the
safety along that road.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
Yes, that's right, okay. I said that it's been raised
as an issue by Laurie Zeo months and months ago,
so we've been away doing that work to see what
we can do there. But there is a solution that
was I think it was also looked on was on
vandal And Drive as well, because there's issues out there
in that area that supermarket that's Sanders and Electric, So
(08:31):
we've seen issues in that place. So the solution that
we're looking at there we probably also fit onto Bagott
Road and there's been some upgrades that that crossing over
Bagot back down towards as the old Stuart Highway. There
and we're looking at all sorts of other solutions along
there as well maintain that safety for pedestrians.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
So it sounds like a safety order for pedestrians and
cyclist is already happening for bag It Rode.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Well, I said that the department's been looking at this
for quite a while because we've known about it as
the local member. Louris Zio has raised it with me
pretty well straight after getting into government. So the department
and myself have been looking at what we can do
along bag At roads to try and improve some safety along.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
Then when do you anticipate some of those safety measures
might come into practice.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
I'm not sure that this stage, kay. I'd have to
go back to the department and check with them and
see where they're at with their work. But I know
that the stuff out Long Vownland Drive is not too
far away, and it's a pretty it's a bit of
an ingenious solution using lights and movement to the change
lighting so that people can so drivers can see when
(09:40):
there's people on the road. So it's quite a great
solution I've seen. There was like a bit of a
PowerPoint slash briefing on what it does, which it's really good.
Say there's movement on the road by pedestrians, it changed
the level of the street lighting so the drivers would
(10:03):
actually know there's something or somebody on that piece of
road there and to take extra care in a little
bit more caution. So it's quite an ingenius solution. So
that's been worked through as we speak.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
All right, Well, we look forward to to finding out
when that is going to become operational. Hey, before I
let you go this morning. Good news last week of course,
with Donald Trump and Anthony Albanezi meeting and announcing that
they've signed this landmark agreement on Critical Minerals and rare Earths.
It's going to see a pipeline of priority projects delivered
with financial commitments also announced by the Australian government. Now,
(10:37):
as I understand, at US one hundred million dollars in
equity investments being committed. From your perspective, where are things
that Did you meet with the Federal Treasurer about this?
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Yeah, because we've i'd meet reasonably regularly with the people
from Nolan's Rare Earth. There are a few resources and
I met with the Federal treasure or maybe six weeks ago,
and one of our discussion was a piece of work
that the Commonwealth needed to do to move the investment along.
There was like a departmental approval that I spoke to
(11:13):
Jim Charms about, so he was going away to talk
to his counterparts in the Commonwealth about that. And since then,
the course we've had Nam the Prime Minister, Anthony Albernizi
and Donald Trump, the President of the US of course
signed that landmark agreement, and only I think yesterday in
the media Junior Ryan Hart has put a hand up
and said she's investing further into Nolan's and Arapia. So
(11:37):
this is a project that's going to It was already
had quite a bit of momentum, but the momentum is
really gaining now. So I hope to see those guys
reaching final investment decision very soon and that project really
taking off here in Central Australia. It's a huge economic
benefit for the territory, specifically here for Central Australia, but
it also works in with our national and global security
(12:01):
for rare earths to be able to provide those I
think here they're doing neodinium and crazierdinnium is coming out
of Nolan's here and they're quite important for rare earth
magnets and electronics. So it's great news for the territory
and great news for Australia and put the territory front
and center on the security of rare earth internationally.
Speaker 1 (12:25):
So how soon do we expect that, you know, if
everything goes ahead, Well, how quickly could this mine you
get up and running.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
Well, there's quite a bit of work being done out
there already as far as the camp and exploration and
getting things ready to roll so they can get their
investment decision done, and they were talking about trying to
get some things locked down before Christmas. They could start
construction on the mind and the works to support the
mine early next year, I believe. So that's what Nolan's
(12:54):
and our Apia were talking to me about some time ago.
If we can hit those milestones, that's great news and
then we can start to see stuff coming out of
the ground.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
Well, Bill Yan, the Treasurer and also also Minister for
Infrastructure and Transport, really appreciate your time this morning. Thanks
so much for having a chat with us.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Cheers Katie, you have a great day you too.
Speaker 1 (13:13):
Thank you
As we know, the Darwin and Casarina bus interchanges closed
on Monday. The Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure, Bill Yan,
said that the interchanges have become hot spots for ongoing
antisocial behavior and would be replaced with bus stops. So
how are things going after the first couple of days
of those changes being in place? Will Bill Yan, the
(00:20):
Treasurer and also the Minister for Infrastructure and Logistics, joins
me on the line. Good morning to you.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Bill, Good morning Katie, and good morning all your listeners
in the top end.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Now, first off, how are things tracking after those first
two days of the changes being in place? I mean,
from your perspective, has there been any hiccups?
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Well, I suppose, Katie. Sometimes no news is good news.
But on the first day on Monday, we had people
from DL and I believe that people from CDC the
contractor or out and about around Casurina, and by all
accounts reports back to me, everything has gone quite well,
which is great to see. Look, change doesn't matter what
sort of change. Es are sometimes difficult, but we're starting
(01:02):
to see some good results out of what's happening out
there at casual Ina. So look, I think as people
get used to it. Over time, things will get better.
But the bus tracker app, I believe is one of
the game change, is one of the big ticket things
that's helping make everything work because people can see exactly
where they is, exactly what time is going to show up,
so you don't have to stand around and wait for
(01:24):
five or ten minutes, you know, to the minute or
to the second when your bus is going to show up,
so you can bet your stop and jump on the
bus and be on your way.
Speaker 1 (01:32):
Minister, have you got any numbers in terms of, you know,
how many people have downloaded that app, how many people
are actually using it?
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Excuse me, Well, I don't have those I don't have
those numbers, but I'm going to certainly probably try and
find out. But all accounts, a lot of people are
using the app. I've got people who I work with
who use the bus to get to and from work
who will use the app and they say that's great.
They showed it to me on my phone how to
use it because I was going to get on the
(02:01):
buses the other weekend, but sadly end up crooked and
spent a weekend laid up, so I didn't get to
get out of the buses have my weekend cruise around.
But the first opportunity I get when i'm up there
and I've got some time, I'll be breaking out the
app and I'll be on the buses cruise around to
see how things are going.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
And you know what, I think that a lot of
Territoriens expect and would like to see you on those buses,
as I know you've done before, so that you get
a real sense of how things are going along. Hey, Minister,
I know I did get a message from a concerned
listener on Monday saying, Katie, where are the drivers meant
to go to the restroom without those interchanges.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
The drivers. So with some of the changes that the
CDC have made because they moved their depot out to
bur them out, so they're able to better control how
their drivers get their brakes and bits and pieces so
they are able to swap the drivers out at specific
different stops now, so they're far more flexible on how
(03:01):
they can do that. So the drivers get their brakes
when they need them, which is good. So I haven't
had any issues with.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Me so far.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
By cd C, they've been well and truly on board
this because this helps with drivers safety too, because drivers
were dealing with some of those issues at those interchanges.
So we've been working really hard ever since we came
in together to work on that whole safety package, not
just for the drivers, for the general public. So we're
starting to see results that we've seen reduced incidents, reduced
(03:31):
reported incidents of issues on the buses, and now we'll
start to see that change now that those interchanges have gone,
and see a further reduction in those incidences and that
anti social behavior which everybody wants to see absolutely.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
I think everyone hoping for that now. We did actually
get a call just a couple of moments ago from Tony,
who's a property manager at the Village Shopping Center. He
called about two new bus stops being built right out
the front of the complex on Bradshaw Terrace Scatuccio Street
without consultation. Now he's pretty furious that the problems are
(04:06):
all there right now on his doorstep, and for all
of those people obviously using that center.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
I would imagine, well, I'm not sure about probably at
the bus stops, because the whole idea of the change
going away from inter changes is the bus stops jump
on it and go so there's no need for pole
be standing around or large groups of people to be
waiting somewhere to catch a bus.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
But you'd hope not.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Unfortunately, I would have been talking to people in those areas,
that's for sure.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
So do you reckon d L. I have the department
have spoken to people in those areas, because I know
at different times we've you know, we've talked about the
moving of bus stops even along the Stuart Highway there
in Stuart Park is one where we've spoken about this
because we were then winding up in a situation where people,
unfortunately were loitering around. So are you are you worried
that that's going to become an issue?
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Well, certainly, I hope not, Katie, And I'll check in
with the department and see what work they've done out
there once I get off the phone. But I know
they've been working pretty closely with everybody out around that
Casuaruna area with these changes, because this is not something
that's popped up out of the blue. We've been on
this piece of work now for a number of months,
so I think everybody knew that they said that the
(05:20):
changes were coming, and i'd like to think the deal
has been out there talking to people, so I'll do
those checks once we get off the phone.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
Hey, Bill on the bus drivers, is there any update
on the pay dispute. I know it obviously it falls
under CDC and the unions to negotiate. It's not the
minister's responsibility. However, you must be worried if the union's
sort of not ruling out further industrial action if things
don't get sorted.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Yeah. Look, and I met with I spoke with CDC
prior to the issue. Well, sorry that industrial action the
other week and I've spoken also with the union as well.
They are having a meeting late last week on the
next stage to see where they are at. So I
haven't had any feedback at this stage yet Katie from
(06:07):
that meeting between CDC and the drivers. So yeah, I
need to find out where they're at. I hope. I'm
hoping that they're reaching a resolution because I said, it's
in everybody's best interest at the end of the day,
it's for the company, for the drivers, and of course
at the end of the day for the public who
use their transport systems. So I'm hoping they're getting closer
(06:29):
to reaching a resolution. Again, I suppose sometimes and I'll say,
no news is good news. I didn't hear anything, Yeah,
it will typically come back from that meeting that was
that they hadn't reached a resolution or an impass. So
sometimes when I don't get some news, you hope.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
It's good probably good news.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
Well let's see what we can find out now, Minister.
Not sure if you've seen, but Cat macnamara, the Greens
member for Nightcliff, she's called for a safety review of
safety conditions for pedestrians and cyclists on Baggot Road. Now,
we know that it is notoriously an area where people
are very unfortunately. At different times we've had a number
of people struck by vehicles on Baggot Road there. Do
(07:10):
you think that there needs to be a safety review
or a review of those safety conditions for pedestrians and
cyclists along Baggett Road.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
It's quite interesting, kay, because I know that's the member
for Fanny Day. Laurie Zeo has been trust me, she's
been on my case about this for months and months now,
and I know that the Department have been doing quite
a bit of work looking at Baggot Road about how
everything is situated. Because there's Baggett Road is a couple
other places are hot spots, so that there's some lighting
(07:43):
solutions that have been put in places. We've seem to
see most the issues at night people crossing that road.
So the department has been working on some lighting solutions
for a couple of those hot spots, and there's a
few other things that they've been looking at as far
as road safety in that area goes.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
We're sounds like there could be some announcements to come
on that Bagot Road and you know and regarding the
safety along that road.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
Yes, that's right, okay. I said that it's been raised
as an issue by Laurie Zeo months and months ago,
so we've been away doing that work to see what
we can do there. But there is a solution that
was I think it was also looked on was on
vandal And Drive as well, because there's issues out there
in that area that supermarket that's Sanders and Electric, So
(08:31):
we've seen issues in that place. So the solution that
we're looking at there we probably also fit onto Bagott
Road and there's been some upgrades that that crossing over
Bagot back down towards as the old Stuart Highway. There
and we're looking at all sorts of other solutions along
there as well maintain that safety for pedestrians.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
So it sounds like a safety order for pedestrians and
cyclist is already happening for bag It Rode.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Well, I said that the department's been looking at this
for quite a while because we've known about it as
the local member. Louris Zio has raised it with me
pretty well straight after getting into government. So the department
and myself have been looking at what we can do
along bag At roads to try and improve some safety along.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
Then when do you anticipate some of those safety measures
might come into practice.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
I'm not sure that this stage, kay. I'd have to
go back to the department and check with them and
see where they're at with their work. But I know
that the stuff out Long Vownland Drive is not too
far away, and it's a pretty it's a bit of
an ingenious solution using lights and movement to the change
lighting so that people can so drivers can see when
(09:40):
there's people on the road. So it's quite a great
solution I've seen. There was like a bit of a
PowerPoint slash briefing on what it does, which it's really good.
Say there's movement on the road by pedestrians, it changed
the level of the street lighting so the drivers would
(10:03):
actually know there's something or somebody on that piece of
road there and to take extra care in a little
bit more caution. So it's quite an ingenius solution. So
that's been worked through as we speak.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
All right, Well, we look forward to to finding out
when that is going to become operational. Hey, before I
let you go this morning. Good news last week of course,
with Donald Trump and Anthony Albanezi meeting and announcing that
they've signed this landmark agreement on Critical Minerals and rare Earths.
It's going to see a pipeline of priority projects delivered
with financial commitments also announced by the Australian government. Now,
(10:37):
as I understand, at US one hundred million dollars in
equity investments being committed. From your perspective, where are things
that Did you meet with the Federal Treasurer about this?
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Yeah, because we've i'd meet reasonably regularly with the people
from Nolan's Rare Earth. There are a few resources and
I met with the Federal treasure or maybe six weeks ago,
and one of our discussion was a piece of work
that the Commonwealth needed to do to move the investment along.
There was like a departmental approval that I spoke to
(11:13):
Jim Charms about, so he was going away to talk
to his counterparts in the Commonwealth about that. And since then,
the course we've had Nam the Prime Minister, Anthony Albernizi
and Donald Trump, the President of the US of course
signed that landmark agreement, and only I think yesterday in
the media Junior Ryan Hart has put a hand up
and said she's investing further into Nolan's and Arapia. So
(11:37):
this is a project that's going to It was already
had quite a bit of momentum, but the momentum is
really gaining now. So I hope to see those guys
reaching final investment decision very soon and that project really
taking off here in Central Australia. It's a huge economic
benefit for the territory, specifically here for Central Australia, but
it also works in with our national and global security
(12:01):
for rare earths to be able to provide those I
think here they're doing neodinium and crazierdinnium is coming out
of Nolan's here and they're quite important for rare earth
magnets and electronics. So it's great news for the territory
and great news for Australia and put the territory front
and center on the security of rare earth internationally.
Speaker 1 (12:25):
So how soon do we expect that, you know, if
everything goes ahead, Well, how quickly could this mine you
get up and running.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
Well, there's quite a bit of work being done out
there already as far as the camp and exploration and
getting things ready to roll so they can get their
investment decision done, and they were talking about trying to
get some things locked down before Christmas. They could start
construction on the mind and the works to support the
mine early next year, I believe. So that's what Nolan's
(12:54):
and our Apia were talking to me about some time ago.
If we can hit those milestones, that's great news and
then we can start to see stuff coming out of
the ground.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
Well, Bill Yan, the Treasurer and also also Minister for
Infrastructure and Transport, really appreciate your time this morning. Thanks
so much for having a chat with us.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Cheers Katie, you have a great day you too.
Speaker 1 (13:13):
Thank you
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The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
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If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.