A new power plant for Jabiru (NT News 15/2) is good news. I can well imagine that residents of Nhulunbuy and those on the Gove Peninsula

are hanging out for a similar announcement.

However, notwithstanding the historical and ongoing power disruptions confronting the area, they will be waiting for many more years for similar news.

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The pressure put on Ash Barty by the media and her fan base must have played quite tellingly upon her during the Australian Tennis Open.

A lot of the hype including the ‘Barty Party’ razzamatazz is about a following who almost want to steal the limelight earned through her on court efforts. The pressure of fan expectation must play a part in creating the statistic of no Australian winning in the Australian Open competition for four decades.

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I hope Anthina Pascoe-Bell is re-elected as Palmerston’s Mayor in August. She has uplifted Palmerston and put the needs of her WHOLE community first.

She has excellent and PRACTISED leadership skills She is a worker, not merely a talker. As was stated in her NT News 120 most powerful descriptor, Palmerston’s reputation has improved under her leadership. If I lived in Palmerston, she would have my unqualified support.

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The migration north because of covid is playing hell with the real estate business in the NT. Long term (local) tenants are under duress because of landlords wanting to sell rented properties. The Darwin/Palmerston property market is abuzz.

There was a major story in the ‘NT News’ on this issue today. It pointed out just how vulnerable and insecure long term territory renters and lessees are feeling at the moment. The same stories have been featured on ABC television.

I am feeling sorry for local tenants and lessees who are under strain about their residential futures.

The Housing Minister for the NT Government, Kate Worden, needs to get across this issue. Otherwise, people are going to be left homeless.

The things is, that there is a fair chance that many flocking north because of the relative covid security of the Territory, will turn tail and head back south as soon as the threat of the virus is significantly reduced. It’s then that karama may pay a visit to landlords looking for quick margin mark-ups at the moment.

While welcoming long term visitors and territory newbe’s, we need to take care of those who have been members of the NT community for more than five minutes.

IT’S A FACT

There were 414 full page ads in the NT News* in January. That did not count:

. Government announcements.

. Covid information.

. Racing information.

. Any folded lift out.

. Any magazine IT’S A FACT

There were 414 full page ads in the NT News* in January. That did not count:

. Government announcements.

. Covid information.

. Racing information.

. Any folded lift out.

. Any magazine inclusions.

The least number of pages (1) appeared on January 19.

The greatest number of advertising pages happened on January 22 (31).

* Includes both the ‘NT News’ and ‘Sunday Territorian’.

The least number of pages (1) appeared on January 19.

The greatest number of advertising pages happened on January 22 (31).

* Includes both the ‘NT News’ and ‘Sunday Territorian’.

POINTS TO PONDER

Congratulations to the Palmerston City Council for it’s prompt and definitive action in banning alcohol consumption at Marlow Lagoon for a trial period of four months. Unlike the City of Darwin Council which vacillated in relation to an identical problem at East Point by denying a police request for limiting alcohol consumption and the disruptive behaviour which follows, the PCC has reacted practically and with common sense. This council is keen to preserve the community in a way that allows family groups to enjoy and feel safe within parks and open space.

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During this COVID-19 year, it seems that very few people have appreciated help received while proportionately complaints have been tsunami like. It also seems that those who are overseas and wanting to return are more about loading their problems on government to solve, rather than resorting to self help.

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How many people who are overseas and wanting the government to help return them to Australia, left for overseas AFTER the DFAT’s advice to stay put and not travel?

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The Kakadu revitalisation plan is full of promise and when implemented will offer substantial improvements to a spectacular area of the NT. This will be the second or third time significant money has been poured into a region that has been like a thirsty gap. The more money allocated, the more the region seems to demand. Burdensome administration has been part of the problem. Lack of care and maintenance has also allowed for premature deterioration of infrastructure. Will these deficits be rectified, for if not, waste will stay.

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The NT News (23/10) raised three alarm bells about governance in the Territory. The offhanded way jn which the paper’s request for a copy of the renewables report was treated makes a mockery of transparency. An increase in job numbers of close to 3,000 positions in the past four years after the government promise of a trimmed down public service flies in the face of reason. Thirdly, Deputy CM Nicole Manison gave clear understanding that scrutiny of the government’s legislative program and policies resided solely with the CLP opposition and a scrutiny committee was no longer necessary. This suggests that self monitoring, self regulation and accountability are of no consequence to our government and THAT is a real worry.

Kon Vatskalis has declared his intention of again standing for election for the position of Darwin’s Lord Mayor. As he suggests (NT News 3/2) his accomplishments and future intentions are toward development of the CBD. My thinking ahead of the August 28 election will be toward what he and our Aldermen have done in supporting and funding programs enhancing our suburbs, particularly our older residential areas. My support will definitely be for those who think and demonstrate that Darwin is more than just the CBD.

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I would be very reluctant to ever again stay in a hotel that has been home to exats and others coming back from overseas and into 14 day quarantine periods. I would be forever on edge that lingering traces of the Covid 19 virus and its variants remained, with infection being a possibility.

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That Anthina Pascoe-Bell intends to stand again for the Palmerston mayorship is good news. She has done an outstanding job (with her council) of progressing Palmerston. Her vision and that of aldermen encompass the whole of the city and its suburbs. Under her mayorship, the council has overcome its previous turbulent history.

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We are reading stories, published almost daily, confirming the Darwin property market is booming. Property sales figures and rental interest are the best in Australia (and we are well and truly post-Impex). Given this being the case, how can it be that the valuer general has significantly declined the unimproved capital value (UCV) of much of our land in Darwin’s suburbs?

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The paper (31/1) urges Australians to holiday here in the NT this year. The unseasonal number of vehicles on our roads and the jam packed shopping car parks with vehicles and centres with people, suggests this advice is being well no truly taken. In all my years in Darwin, this wet season is buzzing with people like never before. With all this activity, we can but hope that the Territory community stays Covid free.

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I hope the number of outstanding ICAC reports causing government to hold its breath (Sunday Territorian 31/1) is in no way connected with Commissioner Flemning’s recently announced decision to leave the NT with two years of his contract still outstanding. The pending reports might make for interesting reading.

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One of Darwin and Palmerston’s public works attributes has been the design and installation of roads, bikeways and pathways with excellent drainage systems. Only after the heaviest abd most prolonged of downpours are a few of our roads affected by floodwaters and then for only the briefest of periods. Thank you to those who had the foresight to provide these superior water

management systems.

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Many congratulations to Ms Bec Bullen and her staff for earning ‘Charlie’s of Darwin’ a place in the world’s best Top 20 bars (NT News 29/1). With so much negativity about alcohol and its consumption in the NT generally and in Darwin particularly, it is great to know there are places where pride in service and the attitudes of patrons toward culinary excellence along with alcohol service and consumption is so positive. Charlie’s, already an Australian drawcard is likely to attract many visitors from around the world in the post-Covid era.

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Daily reading of the NT News elicits appreciation for NT frontline police and the great job they do in countering criminal behaviour which sadly, is part of territory life. They, along with emergency services personnel, are also involved with what seems to be an increasing spree of road accidents and infringements by motorists. The ‘thin blue line’ is working on community preservation 24/7. We are hugely indebted to our police.

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I have a substantial balance of Qantas points. Being an aging citizen disinclined to travel, my desire is to leave my points to my children.

BUT I CANNOT!!

When I pass, my points are zeroed. These points have been earned as an outcome of my engagement in commercial activity. I should be entitled to gift or bequeath them.

For business organizations to expunge points and send them into the ether is grossly unfair. This is a trading practice that should be corrected.

My points represent an entitlement that should be mine to adjudicate. The fact that they are trashed if not used personally is so very wrong.

This is a situation that should be put to rights.

We do not need any more discussion or hugely costing studies to determine whether there should be an overpass at the Tiger Brennan/ Berrimah Road intersection.

Many sad deaths and countless accidents have predetermined this modification MUST be given ASAP construction status. Common sense suggests that the overpass should have been included in the original Tiger Brennan upgrade rather than being left for years. Too many of our major roadworks are shortsighted in anticipating future road usage and driver behaviour.

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Visitors to the NT and the Top End are being introduced to one of the best wet seasons we have had in recent years.

Even for locals, this wet season to date has been a real bonus. Rainfall should augur well for raising the water level of Darwin River dam. Aquifers which were dangerously low will also be replenished. A good wet season is a great treat.

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It is absolutely idiotic that Jim the Waving Man and an icon in Katherine, should be pinged by the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics.

He has been selling a few plants and waving to passing motorists from his spot on the Katherine roadside for the past four years. Now in a show of bureaucratic strength, the department is moving him on! This is about departmental power carried to the extremes of arrant stupidity.

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