Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, last week there was a staush it is ongoing
between the Northern Territory and the federal governments over the
Allice Springs Art Gallery. The Federal government sees the money
remains on the table, but the Northern Territory government, they
reckon has changed the scope and the side of the
project from what was previously agreed to under the former government,
which will need to be reconsidered by Infrastructure Minister Catherine King,
(00:24):
now the Chief We didn't actually get the opportunity to
speak much about this this morning earlier on the show
because there were some other issues, but we are hoping
that we'll get the opportunity to speak to Bill Yan
later in the week. But Ourie Springs tourism operators are
certainly feeling pretty gutted that the gallery may not go ahead.
Now joining us on the line to talk more about
(00:44):
this is Tourism Central Australia's CEO, Daniel Rochford.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Good morning, Daniel, Good morning Katie, and good morning to
your listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Daniel. How much of a loss would it be for
the region if the gallery doesn't go ahead?
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Significant, Katie, Look, this project has been a long time coming.
It's often been seen as a beacon of hope for
our tourism industry here in Central Australia. You know, when
it was originally prepared in the design prior to the
one that's on the table at the moment, consultancy reports
(01:23):
were saying that this gallery would drive an extra fifty
five thousand visitors to our town beyond what we have
at the moment. So it is of significant importance. It's
one of our top priority projects in the region and
book we're obviously very worried that this good project could
(01:46):
be lost.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
There's been a lot of discussion about the location. We
spoke to Catherine King, the Infrastructure Minister, the federal infrastructure
Minister last week, like she'd said to me basically that
you know, it had been approved, the funding had been
approved for the location when the former Labor government was
in power and the scope of that project. But as
we know, that has been changed and that location has
(02:09):
changed to some degree. I mean what a local saying
and what a tourism operator is saying about the location,
Daniel Look.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Tourism Central Australia has always had a long held view
that this position, this gallery needs to be in the CBD.
Something we've been advocating for for teen years plus now
that it's be located in the CBD. Look, I'm not
going to enter the frame of the Territory Canberra discussions
(02:40):
that are happening, but what I would say is that
I would certainly call upon the territory in federal governments
to re energize the dialogue between both tiers of governments
to try and get a positive outcome for this project.
(03:00):
It is of such critical importance, not just from an
economic perspective, but this facility needs to be a world
showcase of Indigenous of Indigenous art and the Indigenous art movement.
And you know, we were just so excited that this
(03:21):
would be in our springs and not in Canberra. You know,
it's a national institution that's not in Canberra but in
our springs. How great would that be? And driving so
many new tourists. You know, the list of benefits of
this center go on and on. But cool heads need
to prevail. We need to make sure that, you know,
(03:44):
both the territory and Commonwealth governments need to be in
active dialogue with one another to make sure that we
see an outcome.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
Yeah, I agree with you. They need to. I think
they need to sit down back at the table, have
a good discussion about this, work out the reasons why
for both of you know, perspectives may have changed a
little bit, and get on with delivering this project like
it's been on the cards for so long.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
And I think the voters of the Northern Territory would
congratulate governments who do that, and that's what we expect
of our governments to do what's in the best interests
of the people of the Northern Territory. Yes, this project
has had controversy and there's still issues inside of our community,
and I acknowledge those that there are many who don't
(04:29):
want to see it happen in the CBD. They'd like
to see it move elsewhere. But you know, at the
end of the day, here Katie, we need to make
sure cool heads prevail and that there's active dialogue between
our governments and the community.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
Hey Daniel. Over the weekend we also saw news that
Quantus has cut its evening flights between Alice Springs and Adelaide,
which would take effect this month and remain in place
until March next year. The airline claims the change reflects
that seasonality and demand. Was it a surprise to.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
You, not really, we tend to see I'm sure this
happens in Darwin as well. You know, over the low season,
airlines tend to retract services just because there's just that
level of demand that you see during our high tourism season.
So look, obviously, you know any retraction of services in
(05:23):
never welcome. Would love to see a full load of
seats coming in to our town into the territory. But
you know, at the end of the day, this is
going to be a return to come high season. We're
obviously working very closely with Tourism n TEA at the
moment on some low season campaigns across Australia to encourage
(05:47):
people to come to the Northern Territory over the summer.
So you know we're actively doing that. We're certainly looking
down the barrel of a really bumper twenty twenty six.
You know, things are looking really positive and our communication
to airlines at the moment is, you know, you need
to be backing the territory for twenty twenty six and
(06:08):
putting more services on, but that will always come via demand,
and you know when airlines see extra demand, they put
extra services on, and you know we've got to be
able to proactively show them that that's happening. And here
in Alice Springs, residents of Alice Springs get access to
residents fair that the airlines put on to help subsidize
(06:30):
people getting out of the town. And you know, I
encourage anyone from Alice Springs listening to the program today
to take advantage of those programs because if we don't
use it, we'll lose it.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
Yeah, well, this is the thing, right, It is all
about that demand and you sort of touched on that before.
That seasonality. It does have an impact. We see it
up here in the top end as well. And it's hard,
you know, because we all want to be able to
travel and we want those flights at good times of
the day and all that kind of thing. But if
their demand is not there, they're going to fly where
it is.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Indeed, look like, yeah, yeah it is. And I don't
want to understate the impact that this will have to
you know, people living in the town, and yes it will.
You know, you know, my wife's traveling on a flight
that that flight this week that's still in place, and
you know, you know that you know, the community take
access of that Friday evening flight to Adelaide to get
(07:22):
them to go down and have a weekend away. You know,
we you know, we professionals who fly up, you know,
medical professionals who fly up from Adelaide just for the
day consulting and then fly back. But that's where the
impacts will be felt on this. But hopefully and you
know again, you know it's my understanding that these services
(07:43):
will be put in place back in March twenty twenty six,
so you know where as long as that happens where
you know, at the end of the day, these things happen.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
Yeah, hey, Daniel one on some positive news, so certainly
I think it's to be positive news. And you spoke
about you know, what's on the agenda for twenty twenty
six as well. The Alice Springs Masters Games are returning
next year. They're going to be held in October, so
it's sort of you know, the Minister had done a
bit of a one year out update. What is you know,
how are you guys feeling, How are people feeling in
(08:17):
Alice Springs about the return of the Masters and what
kind of numbers are you hoping to attract.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
We're overjoyed by having the Masters Games on the back
on the events calendar. It's such an iconic event to
our town. But next year is going to be a
bumper year. And I guess my message to all the
listeners today is if you haven't made your bookings for
travel down to Central Australia next year, do so early.
(08:46):
You've got the fiftieth anniversary of Think. You know, we're
even hosting the I believe the Territory Championships for pickleball
this year of next year, so you know, there's going
to be a lot of events that are happening beyond
all the conferences that are already locked in. So you know,
we're really excited, Katie, we're out twenty twenty six. We've
(09:08):
got a real excitement in the air. I'm seeing numbers
now that are really you know, we're starting to see
double digit growth in much of our sector. There's still
some areas our attractions and experiences aren't seeing that, but accommodation,
hospitality all looking with a really positive growth trajectory after
(09:31):
what has been some very difficult years, and I've talked
about you know, it's great to see that we're turning
that corner and you know it's looking up from here.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Yeah, look I think we all really hope. So, hey,
we all want to see that change, that positive change,
particularly for you guys in Central Australia. I know it's
been a really tough few years. So if we can
get some of those you know, some of those those
positive you know numbers, that is obviously a good thing.
And hope Lea it improves from here.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
Yeah, there's a real sense that we're getting our Mojojoe back.
We held the Central Australian Tourism Summit last Tuesday. We
had it was that capacity we could not feel put
one more extra person in the room, and the room
was really positive about the opportunities for the tourism industry
over the next few years. There was great ideas being
(10:25):
put forward about the next chapter and you know on yeah,
there's certainly a lot of positivity is out at the moment.
So long may that rain, I say, yeah.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
I hope, so we'll Daniel Rotchford really good to speak
with you this morning. Always good to catch up the
CEO of Tourism Central Australia. Thank you, thanks gaming and
also congrats on you've been elected Onto councilor Alice Springs
as well.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
Yes, that's a ring to it. But yeah, really excited.
That's you know, we've just had our first couple meetings
and you know there's a real you know, we're working
well as a team and yeah, I think I'm really
buoyed by working with my colleagues there and in the
(11:11):
best interest of making sure the town is on a
positive pathway.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
Yeah, all good stuff, Daniel, great to speak with you.
Thank you as always for your time.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Thanks Katie, thank you.
Well, last week there was a staush it is ongoing
between the Northern Territory and the federal governments over the
Allice Springs Art Gallery. The Federal government sees the money
remains on the table, but the Northern Territory government, they
reckon has changed the scope and the side of the
project from what was previously agreed to under the former government,
which will need to be reconsidered by Infrastructure Minister Catherine King,
(00:24):
now the Chief We didn't actually get the opportunity to
speak much about this this morning earlier on the show
because there were some other issues, but we are hoping
that we'll get the opportunity to speak to Bill Yan
later in the week. But Ourie Springs tourism operators are
certainly feeling pretty gutted that the gallery may not go ahead.
Now joining us on the line to talk more about
(00:44):
this is Tourism Central Australia's CEO, Daniel Rochford.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Good morning, Daniel, Good morning Katie, and good morning to
your listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Daniel. How much of a loss would it be for
the region if the gallery doesn't go ahead?
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Significant, Katie, Look, this project has been a long time coming.
It's often been seen as a beacon of hope for
our tourism industry here in Central Australia. You know, when
it was originally prepared in the design prior to the
one that's on the table at the moment, consultancy reports
(01:23):
were saying that this gallery would drive an extra fifty
five thousand visitors to our town beyond what we have
at the moment. So it is of significant importance. It's
one of our top priority projects in the region and
book we're obviously very worried that this good project could
(01:46):
be lost.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
There's been a lot of discussion about the location. We
spoke to Catherine King, the Infrastructure Minister, the federal infrastructure
Minister last week, like she'd said to me basically that
you know, it had been approved, the funding had been
approved for the location when the former Labor government was
in power and the scope of that project. But as
we know, that has been changed and that location has
(02:09):
changed to some degree. I mean what a local saying
and what a tourism operator is saying about the location,
Daniel Look.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Tourism Central Australia has always had a long held view
that this position, this gallery needs to be in the CBD.
Something we've been advocating for for teen years plus now
that it's be located in the CBD. Look, I'm not
going to enter the frame of the Territory Canberra discussions
(02:40):
that are happening, but what I would say is that
I would certainly call upon the territory in federal governments
to re energize the dialogue between both tiers of governments
to try and get a positive outcome for this project.
(03:00):
It is of such critical importance, not just from an
economic perspective, but this facility needs to be a world
showcase of Indigenous of Indigenous art and the Indigenous art movement.
And you know, we were just so excited that this
(03:21):
would be in our springs and not in Canberra. You know,
it's a national institution that's not in Canberra but in
our springs. How great would that be? And driving so
many new tourists. You know, the list of benefits of
this center go on and on. But cool heads need
to prevail. We need to make sure that, you know,
(03:44):
both the territory and Commonwealth governments need to be in
active dialogue with one another to make sure that we
see an outcome.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
Yeah, I agree with you. They need to. I think
they need to sit down back at the table, have
a good discussion about this, work out the reasons why
for both of you know, perspectives may have changed a
little bit, and get on with delivering this project like
it's been on the cards for so long.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
And I think the voters of the Northern Territory would
congratulate governments who do that, and that's what we expect
of our governments to do what's in the best interests
of the people of the Northern Territory. Yes, this project
has had controversy and there's still issues inside of our community,
and I acknowledge those that there are many who don't
(04:29):
want to see it happen in the CBD. They'd like
to see it move elsewhere. But you know, at the
end of the day, here Katie, we need to make
sure cool heads prevail and that there's active dialogue between
our governments and the community.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
Hey Daniel. Over the weekend we also saw news that
Quantus has cut its evening flights between Alice Springs and Adelaide,
which would take effect this month and remain in place
until March next year. The airline claims the change reflects
that seasonality and demand. Was it a surprise to.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
You, not really, we tend to see I'm sure this
happens in Darwin as well. You know, over the low season,
airlines tend to retract services just because there's just that
level of demand that you see during our high tourism season.
So look, obviously, you know any retraction of services in
(05:23):
never welcome. Would love to see a full load of
seats coming in to our town into the territory. But
you know, at the end of the day, this is
going to be a return to come high season. We're
obviously working very closely with Tourism n TEA at the
moment on some low season campaigns across Australia to encourage
(05:47):
people to come to the Northern Territory over the summer.
So you know we're actively doing that. We're certainly looking
down the barrel of a really bumper twenty twenty six.
You know, things are looking really positive and our communication
to airlines at the moment is, you know, you need
to be backing the territory for twenty twenty six and
(06:08):
putting more services on, but that will always come via demand,
and you know when airlines see extra demand, they put
extra services on, and you know we've got to be
able to proactively show them that that's happening. And here
in Alice Springs, residents of Alice Springs get access to
residents fair that the airlines put on to help subsidize
(06:30):
people getting out of the town. And you know, I
encourage anyone from Alice Springs listening to the program today
to take advantage of those programs because if we don't
use it, we'll lose it.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
Yeah, well, this is the thing, right, It is all
about that demand and you sort of touched on that before.
That seasonality. It does have an impact. We see it
up here in the top end as well. And it's hard,
you know, because we all want to be able to
travel and we want those flights at good times of
the day and all that kind of thing. But if
their demand is not there, they're going to fly where
it is.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Indeed, look like, yeah, yeah it is. And I don't
want to understate the impact that this will have to
you know, people living in the town, and yes it will.
You know, you know, my wife's traveling on a flight
that that flight this week that's still in place, and
you know, you know that you know, the community take
access of that Friday evening flight to Adelaide to get
(07:22):
them to go down and have a weekend away. You know,
we you know, we professionals who fly up, you know,
medical professionals who fly up from Adelaide just for the
day consulting and then fly back. But that's where the
impacts will be felt on this. But hopefully and you
know again, you know it's my understanding that these services
(07:43):
will be put in place back in March twenty twenty six,
so you know where as long as that happens where
you know, at the end of the day, these things happen.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
Yeah, hey, Daniel one on some positive news, so certainly
I think it's to be positive news. And you spoke
about you know, what's on the agenda for twenty twenty
six as well. The Alice Springs Masters Games are returning
next year. They're going to be held in October, so
it's sort of you know, the Minister had done a
bit of a one year out update. What is you know,
how are you guys feeling, How are people feeling in
(08:17):
Alice Springs about the return of the Masters and what
kind of numbers are you hoping to attract.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
We're overjoyed by having the Masters Games on the back
on the events calendar. It's such an iconic event to
our town. But next year is going to be a
bumper year. And I guess my message to all the
listeners today is if you haven't made your bookings for
travel down to Central Australia next year, do so early.
(08:46):
You've got the fiftieth anniversary of Think. You know, we're
even hosting the I believe the Territory Championships for pickleball
this year of next year, so you know, there's going
to be a lot of events that are happening beyond
all the conferences that are already locked in. So you know,
we're really excited, Katie, we're out twenty twenty six. We've
(09:08):
got a real excitement in the air. I'm seeing numbers
now that are really you know, we're starting to see
double digit growth in much of our sector. There's still
some areas our attractions and experiences aren't seeing that, but accommodation,
hospitality all looking with a really positive growth trajectory after
(09:31):
what has been some very difficult years, and I've talked
about you know, it's great to see that we're turning
that corner and you know it's looking up from here.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Yeah, look I think we all really hope. So, hey,
we all want to see that change, that positive change,
particularly for you guys in Central Australia. I know it's
been a really tough few years. So if we can
get some of those you know, some of those those
positive you know numbers, that is obviously a good thing.
And hope Lea it improves from here.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
Yeah, there's a real sense that we're getting our Mojojoe back.
We held the Central Australian Tourism Summit last Tuesday. We
had it was that capacity we could not feel put
one more extra person in the room, and the room
was really positive about the opportunities for the tourism industry
over the next few years. There was great ideas being
(10:25):
put forward about the next chapter and you know on yeah,
there's certainly a lot of positivity is out at the moment.
So long may that rain, I say, yeah.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
I hope, so we'll Daniel Rotchford really good to speak
with you this morning. Always good to catch up the
CEO of Tourism Central Australia. Thank you, thanks gaming and
also congrats on you've been elected Onto councilor Alice Springs
as well.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
Yes, that's a ring to it. But yeah, really excited.
That's you know, we've just had our first couple meetings
and you know there's a real you know, we're working
well as a team and yeah, I think I'm really
buoyed by working with my colleagues there and in the
(11:11):
best interest of making sure the town is on a
positive pathway.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
Yeah, all good stuff, Daniel, great to speak with you.
Thank you as always for your time.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Thanks Katie, thank you.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
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.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!