Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now, yesterday we heard from the Chief Minister that more
than twenty million dollars is set to be invested into
infrastructure in Alice Springs in an effort to reduce crime,
to promote livability days and weeks as well when it
comes to dealing with the crime that they sometimes see
over the summer break. Well what we have seen over
the last couple of years. But that investment as well
(00:21):
is going into some key tourism infrastructure. Now as part
of that, we're going to see four point eight million
dollars towards a new Tourism Central Australia headquarters and Visitor
Information Center to help strengthen local tourism, as well as
a delivery of the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Art
Gallery within the allocated budget. Now joining me on the
(00:41):
line is the CEO of Tourism Central Australia, Daniel Rochford.
Good morning Daniel, Morning Katie and morning Tea listeners, Daniel.
Four point eight million dollars towards a new Tourism Central
Australia Headquarters and Visitor Information Center. How badly is this needed?
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Oh? Have I got the biggest smile in Alice Springs
this morning. You know, this is great news, Katie, for
our town and our industry. It's certainly really needed. You know,
we've grown beyond our facility in Alice Springs and you know,
to be able to move into this new facility through
(01:25):
these funds that have been provided by the Northern Territory government,
you know, it's a really positive day for us.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
Daniel, how long have you been in the current location
and you know what's the status of the current location
for want of a better word, Oh, I think.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
We've been in here for quite a while. I think
maybe almost fifteen twenty years. And so for those who
have visited us, we're right on the corner of Todd
Mall and Parson Street, so it's very hard to park.
And as you know, with a lot of caravaners and campers,
they like to park and come in. We don't have
(02:04):
that ability to do that in this information center. But
where we're reposing to have this information center, which is
in the current library facility in Alice Springs. Literally the
caravan camping is parking Bayser across the road, and you know,
I can't think of a better place to put it.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Now, how quickly is it going to get underway.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
Well, look, I had both myself and my chair had
a really good meeting with the Chief Minister yesterday and
she was very upfront with us. She wants it to
happen as soon as possible. And I'm here in her
and you know, we've got a meeting on Friday with
Council to start the conversations and we're ready to go.
(02:50):
And you know, we're keen to make this happen as
soon as we can. And of course it comes off
the back of the new government's commitment to the National
Indigenous Art Gallery of Australia. You know, that's been something
that we've been advocating for long and loud now and
again the government has made a commitment to make sure
(03:10):
that that a shovel hits the ground. And you know,
between that and this new information center will be bookending
the CBD of Alice Springs and you know that's only
going to be great for retailers and traders in the
in the mall and in the CBD area.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
So Daniel talk us through exactly where the new gallery
is going to go exactly.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
Well, I think the final details will be released by
Minister Bill Yan next week, but you know in the
initial discussions that we've had is that the government has
made a policy decision to keep the rugby ovals, so
it's going to be basically on the Todd Mall side
of the Anzac Oval, which is currently a car park area.
(03:53):
I guess, you know, I'm not wanting to put words
in the Minister's mouth, but you know that's where I'm
getting the impression that it's going to be. And all
will be revealed next week. But you know, we really
need that gallery to interface with Todd Street and the
Todd Mall, so you know, we're happy to hear that.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
What's been the reaction to you know, to the announcement
yesterday and that bit of progress I guess when it
comes to the gallery as well.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Yeah, Look, as I said to the Chief Minister yesterday,
there's an air of optimism in ours freaks, and you
know I haven't seen that for a long time, Katie.
You know, I've talked I'm in a loud about our issues,
dmism in the room. You know, if we can get
control of the social and crime issues, you know, we
(04:42):
can get back on the front foot as in the industry.
And you know, certainly twenty twenty five is looking better
than what it was over the last few years. I think,
you know, the other things with this announcements yesterday, it
wasn't just the tourism announcements. You know, there was a
fourteen million dollar announcement for a new library. And the
other thing that hasn't really seen much sun in the
(05:02):
discussion is the new regional skate park. And I was
just reading some more details about this. This is going
to be one of the world's best skate parks, and
you know, they're investing a significant amount of money into
this and it's going to be such a great asset
for our community.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
No, it is good. And look, I hope you know
that that it gets more positive for the people of
Alice Springs, and I hope that we do start to
see a minimization of the level of crime that has
been experienced as well in recent years, because you guys,
you know, everybody deserves to have a good run, and
Alice Springs is such an incredible location.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
You betcha, and I think we all feel that, you know,
we do want to get on the front foot. It's
been a particularly challenging year for especially anyone that's relying
on the drive market. You know, we've seen you know,
upwards of fifty to sixty percent to clients in that
market this year. But you know, Tourism Northern Territory are
putting their best word forward in terms of marketing. You know,
(06:00):
there's a lot of interest from our operators to make
sure that we're welcoming our visitors and encouraging them to
get out there and get amongst it. And of course,
as you know, and this is something in particular to
your listeners, if you want to come down to the
Red Center at the moment, twenty five percent off if
you look through the Alice Springs Visitor Information Center. So
(06:21):
now at that time, especially if you're especially if you're
planning to drive through the region over Christmas, get in
early and get that get that saving through the information
at it.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
Oh good stuff. Hey, before I let you go, what's
happening in the Red Center today for Melbourne Cup Day?
And you know, do you have any tips for the
for the big race?
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Daniel? Well, yeah, there's quite a few events, you know,
especially the casino today and yeah, giddy up. I'm think
I'm really into the NAG So I've been studying the
form for some weeks. I've got interpretation who came second
in the Geelong Cup a couple of weeks ago? And
(07:03):
what number is interpretation? Is that eighteen? No fingers crossed.
Unfortunately it now has me riding on its back, so
it's probably a bit extra wait, but you know, giddy up.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
I say good on you, Daniel, lovely to speak to
you this morning. Thank you so much for your time.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Thanksgating to
Now, yesterday we heard from the Chief Minister that more
than twenty million dollars is set to be invested into
infrastructure in Alice Springs in an effort to reduce crime,
to promote livability days and weeks as well when it
comes to dealing with the crime that they sometimes see
over the summer break. Well what we have seen over
the last couple of years. But that investment as well
(00:21):
is going into some key tourism infrastructure. Now as part
of that, we're going to see four point eight million
dollars towards a new Tourism Central Australia headquarters and Visitor
Information Center to help strengthen local tourism, as well as
a delivery of the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Art
Gallery within the allocated budget. Now joining me on the
(00:41):
line is the CEO of Tourism Central Australia, Daniel Rochford.
Good morning Daniel, Morning Katie and morning Tea listeners, Daniel.
Four point eight million dollars towards a new Tourism Central
Australia Headquarters and Visitor Information Center. How badly is this needed?
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Oh? Have I got the biggest smile in Alice Springs
this morning. You know, this is great news, Katie, for
our town and our industry. It's certainly really needed. You know,
we've grown beyond our facility in Alice Springs and you know,
to be able to move into this new facility through
(01:25):
these funds that have been provided by the Northern Territory government,
you know, it's a really positive day for us.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
Daniel, how long have you been in the current location
and you know what's the status of the current location
for want of a better word, Oh, I think.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
We've been in here for quite a while. I think
maybe almost fifteen twenty years. And so for those who
have visited us, we're right on the corner of Todd
Mall and Parson Street, so it's very hard to park.
And as you know, with a lot of caravaners and campers,
they like to park and come in. We don't have
(02:04):
that ability to do that in this information center. But
where we're reposing to have this information center, which is
in the current library facility in Alice Springs. Literally the
caravan camping is parking Bayser across the road, and you know,
I can't think of a better place to put it.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Now, how quickly is it going to get underway.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
Well, look, I had both myself and my chair had
a really good meeting with the Chief Minister yesterday and
she was very upfront with us. She wants it to
happen as soon as possible. And I'm here in her
and you know, we've got a meeting on Friday with
Council to start the conversations and we're ready to go.
(02:50):
And you know, we're keen to make this happen as
soon as we can. And of course it comes off
the back of the new government's commitment to the National
Indigenous Art Gallery of Australia. You know, that's been something
that we've been advocating for long and loud now and
again the government has made a commitment to make sure
(03:10):
that that a shovel hits the ground. And you know,
between that and this new information center will be bookending
the CBD of Alice Springs and you know that's only
going to be great for retailers and traders in the
in the mall and in the CBD area.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
So Daniel talk us through exactly where the new gallery
is going to go exactly.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
Well, I think the final details will be released by
Minister Bill Yan next week, but you know in the
initial discussions that we've had is that the government has
made a policy decision to keep the rugby ovals, so
it's going to be basically on the Todd Mall side
of the Anzac Oval, which is currently a car park area.
(03:53):
I guess, you know, I'm not wanting to put words
in the Minister's mouth, but you know that's where I'm
getting the impression that it's going to be. And all
will be revealed next week. But you know, we really
need that gallery to interface with Todd Street and the
Todd Mall, so you know, we're happy to hear that.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
What's been the reaction to you know, to the announcement
yesterday and that bit of progress I guess when it
comes to the gallery as well.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Yeah, Look, as I said to the Chief Minister yesterday,
there's an air of optimism in ours freaks, and you
know I haven't seen that for a long time, Katie.
You know, I've talked I'm in a loud about our issues,
dmism in the room. You know, if we can get
control of the social and crime issues, you know, we
(04:42):
can get back on the front foot as in the industry.
And you know, certainly twenty twenty five is looking better
than what it was over the last few years. I think,
you know, the other things with this announcements yesterday, it
wasn't just the tourism announcements. You know, there was a
fourteen million dollar announcement for a new library. And the
other thing that hasn't really seen much sun in the
(05:02):
discussion is the new regional skate park. And I was
just reading some more details about this. This is going
to be one of the world's best skate parks, and
you know, they're investing a significant amount of money into
this and it's going to be such a great asset
for our community.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
No, it is good. And look, I hope you know
that that it gets more positive for the people of
Alice Springs, and I hope that we do start to
see a minimization of the level of crime that has
been experienced as well in recent years, because you guys,
you know, everybody deserves to have a good run, and
Alice Springs is such an incredible location.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
You betcha, and I think we all feel that, you know,
we do want to get on the front foot. It's
been a particularly challenging year for especially anyone that's relying
on the drive market. You know, we've seen you know,
upwards of fifty to sixty percent to clients in that
market this year. But you know, Tourism Northern Territory are
putting their best word forward in terms of marketing. You know,
(06:00):
there's a lot of interest from our operators to make
sure that we're welcoming our visitors and encouraging them to
get out there and get amongst it. And of course,
as you know, and this is something in particular to
your listeners, if you want to come down to the
Red Center at the moment, twenty five percent off if
you look through the Alice Springs Visitor Information Center. So
(06:21):
now at that time, especially if you're especially if you're
planning to drive through the region over Christmas, get in
early and get that get that saving through the information
at it.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
Oh good stuff. Hey, before I let you go, what's
happening in the Red Center today for Melbourne Cup Day?
And you know, do you have any tips for the
for the big race?
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Daniel? Well, yeah, there's quite a few events, you know,
especially the casino today and yeah, giddy up. I'm think
I'm really into the NAG So I've been studying the
form for some weeks. I've got interpretation who came second
in the Geelong Cup a couple of weeks ago? And
(07:03):
what number is interpretation? Is that eighteen? No fingers crossed.
Unfortunately it now has me riding on its back, so
it's probably a bit extra wait, but you know, giddy up.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
I say good on you, Daniel, lovely to speak to
you this morning. Thank you so much for your time.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Thanksgating to
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