I read with interest in the paper this morning a forty thousand dollar fee for a certificate to install a shade sale. Has the Northern Territories Local Government Association open to consultation, they say, around a review on the NT Sacred Sites Act, But they say that they've not been approached yet. Now the Planning, Lands and Environment Minister, as we know, Josh Burgoyne, he joined us on the show a couple of weeks ago when he introduced those amendments to the nineteen eighty nine NT Sacred Sites Act, and he introduced those to Parliament. Now what we also know is the Local Government Association's NT President, Convat Scalis, had said the Association was yet to be approached about that review, but it certainly seems like it would be a good idea for those constructive discussions to be had. Joining me in the studio is the CEO of the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory, Mary Watson. Good morning to you.

I read with interest in the paper this morning a forty thousand dollar fee for a certificate to install a shade sale. Has the Northern Territories Local Government Association open to consultation, they say, around a review on the NT Sacred Sites Act, But they say that they've not been approached yet. Now the Planning, Lands and Environment Minister, as we know, Josh Burgoyne, he joined us on the show a couple of weeks ago when he introduced those amendments to the nineteen eighty nine NT Sacred Sites Act, and he introduced those to Parliament. Now what we also know is the Local Government Association's NT President, Convat Scalis, had said the Association was yet to be approached about that review, but it certainly seems like it would be a good idea for those constructive discussions to be had. Joining me in the studio is the CEO of the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory, Mary Watson. Good morning to you.

Mary, Good morning Katie.

Mary, Good morning Katie.

It's lovely to have you on the show. Thank you for your time. Now, first off, can you tell me what the situation was with that shade sale?

It's lovely to have you on the show. Thank you for your time. Now, first off, can you tell me what the situation was with that shade sale?

Yes, sure, so that's part of the application process for certificates. So councils, just like anybody else, need to apply for a certificate.

Yes, sure, so that's part of the application process for certificates. So councils, just like anybody else, need to apply for a certificate.

So applied for the certificate and then there and so there's a fee. Then when you get that certificate. I'm assuming can that cost change depending on the project.

So applied for the certificate and then there and so there's a fee. Then when you get that certificate. I'm assuming can that cost change depending on the project.

It can do. And I've got a couple of examples if you want to hear them. So yeah, there's that example. There's another example of a council wanting to do some repairs on a walking track that cost again about thirty thousand dollars. The project itself was only thirty five so that's nearly double the cost of the project. So it seems to be the standard cost is about thirty thousand, and then there is this extra cost often where that there is a request for the traditional owners to look over or be on site to watch the project. That is an open ended costs at the moment. So we are really looking to see some timeframes, awesome scheduling put around those costs so that councils are clear on what they will be and it's not an open ended project.

It can do. And I've got a couple of examples if you want to hear them. So yeah, there's that example. There's another example of a council wanting to do some repairs on a walking track that cost again about thirty thousand dollars. The project itself was only thirty five so that's nearly double the cost of the project. So it seems to be the standard cost is about thirty thousand, and then there is this extra cost often where that there is a request for the traditional owners to look over or be on site to watch the project. That is an open ended costs at the moment. So we are really looking to see some timeframes, awesome scheduling put around those costs so that councils are clear on what they will be and it's not an open ended project.

Mary to put it in real I guess you know Layman's terms for our listeners. So when the council for example, whichever council it may be across the Northern Territory is doing a project. If it is in an area where there may be a sacred site, obviously they're then going through the process with APPA. Is that correct? And so what sort of happens next?

Mary to put it in real I guess you know Layman's terms for our listeners. So when the council for example, whichever council it may be across the Northern Territory is doing a project. If it is in an area where there may be a sacred site, obviously they're then going through the process with APPA. Is that correct? And so what sort of happens next?

What sort of happens next?

What sort of happens next?

Yes, so they have to put in it, like put in an application, I'm assuming if there's a sacred site nearby, they have to then go through a process of trying to avoid that area I'm assuming or.

Yes, so they have to put in it, like put in an application, I'm assuming if there's a sacred site nearby, they have to then go through a process of trying to avoid that area I'm assuming or.

Yeah, And it depends on whether it's you know, on the site or adjacent to So I understand they put in the application and UPPER then you don't run their process and then they're provided with that application. I think one of the concerns for our counsels is the time that that takes. There are examples of where it's taken four months to get that application processed. So we absolutely understand and respect the intent of the legislation and the need to protect sacred sites. Yep, you know, absolutely, but I think we've just got potentially, like any business, we'd like to see some certainty around those costs and timeframes.

Yeah, And it depends on whether it's you know, on the site or adjacent to So I understand they put in the application and UPPER then you don't run their process and then they're provided with that application. I think one of the concerns for our counsels is the time that that takes. There are examples of where it's taken four months to get that application processed. So we absolutely understand and respect the intent of the legislation and the need to protect sacred sites. Yep, you know, absolutely, but I think we've just got potentially, like any business, we'd like to see some certainty around those costs and timeframes.

Well, it makes it really difficult to do business if you don't have that certainty around costs and timeframes. So depending on the project, or depending on where it might be or the level of involvement that I'm assuming, is it the traditional like the elders or the traditional owners, or is it Upper depending on the level of involvement that they need as to how that fee changes.

Well, it makes it really difficult to do business if you don't have that certainty around costs and timeframes. So depending on the project, or depending on where it might be or the level of involvement that I'm assuming, is it the traditional like the elders or the traditional owners, or is it Upper depending on the level of involvement that they need as to how that fee changes.

I think there's two processes help upper and none of our members have issues again with that process or with the traditional owners or with the protection the sacred sites. I think it's that second process where excuse me, potentially the traditional owners need to be on site to watch over that. That is at the moment a little bit of concern in regards to the fees and schedules around that.

I think there's two processes help upper and none of our members have issues again with that process or with the traditional owners or with the protection the sacred sites. I think it's that second process where excuse me, potentially the traditional owners need to be on site to watch over that. That is at the moment a little bit of concern in regards to the fees and schedules around that.

So what I mean, So, do you think it does seem as though there needs to be some changes to the act to provide that certainty.

So what I mean, So, do you think it does seem as though there needs to be some changes to the act to provide that certainty.

Definitely, Yeah. I think in other jurisdictions they do have a schedule of fees for that type of for that part of the process, which we would like to like to see considered here in the territory, together with some potential best practice time frames around that to provide that certainty.

Definitely, Yeah. I think in other jurisdictions they do have a schedule of fees for that type of for that part of the process, which we would like to like to see considered here in the territory, together with some potential best practice time frames around that to provide that certainty.

And so has there been a discussion at this point in time with the Minister or with the Department about this and obviously thinking that there needs to be.

And so has there been a discussion at this point in time with the Minister or with the Department about this and obviously thinking that there needs to be.

Yeah, no, we have a meeting with our PA scheduled for early next month.

Yeah, no, we have a meeting with our PA scheduled for early next month.

Okay, So what needs to happen from Legant's perspective, you know, in terms of those next steps.

Okay, So what needs to happen from Legant's perspective, you know, in terms of those next steps.

Like any advocacy project, it's you know, starting those negotiations or those conversations. The Act the amendments as it stands don't go into these parts. You know that we have concerns right there are around other elements of the Act.

Like any advocacy project, it's you know, starting those negotiations or those conversations. The Act the amendments as it stands don't go into these parts. You know that we have concerns right there are around other elements of the Act.

So maybe it does need by the sounds of it, it potentially needs to be extended to include you know, the concerns that you've just raised this morning. I mean with maybe if it's something that's happening in other locations, and if there is a schedule of fees that people know that they're going to all councils and and I'm assuming even you know private operators or you know, different different people depending on where they're looking to do a project. If there is a schedule of fees, it would give people some certainty.

So maybe it does need by the sounds of it, it potentially needs to be extended to include you know, the concerns that you've just raised this morning. I mean with maybe if it's something that's happening in other locations, and if there is a schedule of fees that people know that they're going to all councils and and I'm assuming even you know private operators or you know, different different people depending on where they're looking to do a project. If there is a schedule of fees, it would give people some certainty.

Right absolutely, And you know, just to be clear, I suppose there is the schedule of fees already around the certificate and the applying of the certificate, right, so that exists, it's that extra bit around the traditional owners coming onto site and those fees for that part of the process.

Right absolutely, And you know, just to be clear, I suppose there is the schedule of fees already around the certificate and the applying of the certificate, right, so that exists, it's that extra bit around the traditional owners coming onto site and those fees for that part of the process.

And it does sound as though that can be quite a costly process then.

And it does sound as though that can be quite a costly process then.

Yeah, and I'm not across those costs. If it is, if it's a large scale project and those traditional owners are on site for the length of that project, it could potentially be a significant cost.

Yeah, and I'm not across those costs. If it is, if it's a large scale project and those traditional owners are on site for the length of that project, it could potentially be a significant cost.

Yeah, yeah, right, all right, Well, it does sound as though there needs to be some further discussions here, and from the sounds of it, you guys are due to meet with ARPA, so that's a good thing hopefully even with the minister, you know, he's aware of then some of these worries because I think if we're going to sort of move forward in the Northern Territory, we've all got to work out how we can work sort of you know, cooperatively, comprehensively with each other for the best interests of everybody, but in a way that gives people that certainty.

Yeah, yeah, right, all right, Well, it does sound as though there needs to be some further discussions here, and from the sounds of it, you guys are due to meet with ARPA, so that's a good thing hopefully even with the minister, you know, he's aware of then some of these worries because I think if we're going to sort of move forward in the Northern Territory, we've all got to work out how we can work sort of you know, cooperatively, comprehensively with each other for the best interests of everybody, but in a way that gives people that certainty.

Right, agreed, Yeah, agreed. I think we are really really keen to work with the government. We are, you know, the third sphere of government and we really want to see the territory grow, particularly in our lifestyle and the economy, so we want to be partners.

Right, agreed, Yeah, agreed. I think we are really really keen to work with the government. We are, you know, the third sphere of government and we really want to see the territory grow, particularly in our lifestyle and the economy, so we want to be partners.

Yeah. Well, Mary Watson, CEO of the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory. Great to speak with you this morning, no doubt we'll talk to you again soon.

Yeah. Well, Mary Watson, CEO of the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory. Great to speak with you this morning, no doubt we'll talk to you again soon.

Great, thanks, thank you,

Great, thanks, thank you,