New manual to help manage teenage offenders

Relationships Australia NT has teamed up with the NT Police to release a case management resource for people working with young offenders in the Territory.

The Youth Diversion Case Management Resource is the first of its kind in the Northern Territory and was launched by the Honourable Chief Minister Adam Giles in Alice Springs yesterday.

Relationships Australia NT Chief Executive Officer Marie Morrison said the resource will achieve better outcomes for young people going through the NT justice system.

“Relationships Australia NT is delighted to share this resource with other community based organisations who provide Youth Diversion Programs throughout the NT,” Ms Morrison said.

“The resource is built on our 10 year history of working with offenders under 18 years in Alice Springs and providing programs that lead them away from crime and disadvantage.”

Ms Morrison said Relationships Australia NT’s youth diversion program is modelled on restorative justice community programs, which include offenders meeting and apologising to the victims of their crimes.

“There is clear evidence that restorative justice community programs produce significantly less rates of recidivism and reoffending than incarceration,” she said.

“The model produces better long-term results for offenders, their families and the community.”

Relationships Australian NT services approximately 3500 Territorians annually with more than 20 per cent of whom are Aboriginal.

Youth Diversion caseloads that the organisation manages have doubled over the past ten years, with up to 80 per cent young Aboriginal males aged between 10 and 17 years.

“The Youth Diversion Case Management Resource is for all workers in case management and is hoped to better help these young people and produce lasting change.”  

Youth diversion programs managed by Relationships Australia NT have included drum making, drum  beat workshops, a Desert Park Leadership Program and a young women’s leadership program.

This year Relationships Australia NT will work with other community organisations and extend its youth diversion programs to remote communities in the MacDonnell Shire region.

For more information please visit www.nt.relationships.org.au/.

40 years of relationships success

Tomorrow Relationships Australia will celebrate 40 years in the Northern Territory.

In what started as the Marriage Guidance Council in 1973, the organisation then offered Darwin residents marriage advice and counselling services in the wake of Cyclone Tracy.

“Cyclone Tracy was difficult for Darwin couples and families and placed additional strain on the very best of relationships,” Relationships Australia NT Chief Executive Officer Marie Morrison said.

“The Marriage Guidance Council as it was known then provided one avenue to help people to navigate their way through.”  

Since then the organisation has undergone significant growth and change to be a cornerstone of help and assistance for Territorians.

Renamed in 1995, Relationships Australia NT today has a broader emphasis on helping children and families in need and working with disadvantaged people.

“We provide assistance to families in various ways including strengthening relationships, mediation, counselling and support for people going through difficult times,” Relationships Australia NT Marie Morrison said.

“We also provide specialised services such as professional development and training through formal and informal courses, partnerships and community based programs for migrants and refugees, and culturally appropriate services for Aboriginal families, delivered by Aboriginal staff members.

“Increasingly we’re also working with young people and have programs to divert them away from crime and disadvantage, through restorative justice community programs.”

To celebrate its 40th birthday, Relationships Australia NT has engaged local historian Mickey Dewar to collate a full history of the organisation’s 40 years in the NT.

Relationships Australia NT services some 3500 Territorians on average each year with more than 20 per cent who identify as Aboriginal.

The organisation has offices in Alice Springs, Katherine and Darwin, and provides services to Tennant Creek, the Tiwi Islands, Nhulunbuy and Yirrkala.

“We are proud to have contributed to a community where relationships are respectful, diversity is valued and where people have a sense of belonging and connection,” Ms Morrison said.

For more information please visit www.nt.relationships.org.au/.

Quest for the next Jessica Mauboy

Ten young Territorians will sing to win Mission Australia’s Urban Quest at the Darwin Waterfront this Saturday 6 July.

The hunt for the Territory’s best young singer kicked off earlier this year with auditions held in Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine and Alice Springs in May.

The ten Urban Quest finalists will fine tune their skills at a three-day intensive mentoring workshop with Mark “Touchdown” Holden and country singer Paul Costa, who’s latest single Big End of Town is at the top of the Australian Country Music Charts, ahead of the big night.

Mentor and judge Mark Holden has been involved in Mission Australia’s premier youth event since its inception in 2011 and said it will be difficult to choose a winner.

“The talent this year is the best I’ve seen at Urban Quest over the past three years - it’s true,” the former Australian Idol judge said.

Mr Holden and Paul Costa will team up with Darwin’s very own singer songwriter Dave Garnham and Music NT’s Amy Hetherington to judge the Urban Quest Finals Concert.

The Urban Quest Finals Concert is free for the public and will be held under the stars at the Darwin Waterfront from 6pm.

“We encourage everyone to come along to the Waterfront, enjoy a night of entertainment and support these young singers,” Mission Australia’s Adrian McCann said.

“Urban Quest is for the community and without our partners Larrakia TV and Radio, the Darwin Waterfront Corporation, Dreamedia, Casuarina Square, Music NT, Inpex, the Office of Youth Affairs, Darwin Airport Corporation it wouldn’t be possible.”

To follow the progress of the event visit facebook.com/MissionAust.

The 2013 Urban Quest Finalists are:
• Jenaya Allen (14 years), Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, Alice Springs

• VJ Bumanlag (18 years), Darwin

• Tatiana Da Silva (14 years), O’Laughlin Catholic College, Darwin

• Brandon Folino-Driver (16 years), Darwin High School, Darwin

• Charlotte Gittins (14 years), Dripstone Middle Collge, Darwin

• Charlee Mullins (14 years), Taminmin College, Darwin

• Helena Smith (16 years), NT Open Education, Darwin

• Phoebe Wear (11 years), Larrakeyah Primary School, Darwin

• Dakota Oxenham (13 years), St Joseph’s College, Katherine

• Sarina Pech (18 years), Charles Darwin University, Katherine Rural Campus, Katherine

Quest for NT’s best young singer woos Casuarina shoppers

Twenty young Territorians raised the roof at Casuarina Square yesterday singing in Mission Australia's Urban Quest Semi Final.

The talented teens sang their best to secure one of ten places in the 2013 Urban Quest Finals Concert, to be held at the Darwin Waterfront next Saturday, 6 July.

Former Australian Idol judge Mark Holden delivered three touchdowns rewarding VJ Bumanlag, Tatiana Da Silva and Charlotte Gittins with their ticket into the Final.

"Darwin - Casuarina Square - a star is born," Mr Holden said about 14 year old Gittens for her memorising rendition of Regina Spektor's Samson.

“The talent this year is the best I’ve seen at Urban Quest over the past three years - it’s true,” he added.

The ten Urban Quest finalists include two performers from Katherine and Jenaya Allen from Alice Springs.

They will now receive three days intensive mentoring with Mark Holden and country singer Paul Costa ahead of the Finals Concert.

Holden and Costa will then team up with Darwin’s very own singer songwriter Dave Garnham and Music NT’s Amy Hetherington to judge the 2013 Urban Quest.

The Urban Quest Finals Concert is free for the public and will be held under the stars at the Darwin Waterfront from 6pm.

To follow the progress of the event visit facebook.com/MissionAust.

The 2013 Urban Quest Finalists are:

·         Jenaya Allen (14 years), Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, Alice Springs

·         VJ Bumanlag (18 years), Darwin

·         Tatiana Da Silva (14 years), O’Laughlin Catholic College, Darwin

·         Brandon Folino-Driver (16 years), Darwin High School, Darwin

·         Charlotte Gittins (14 years), Dripstone Middle Collge, Darwin

·         Charlee Mullins (14 years), Taminmin College, Darwin

·         Helena Smith (16 years), NT Open Education, Darwin

·         Phoebe Wear (11 years), Larrakeyah Primary School, Darwin

·         Dakota Oxenham (13 years), St Joseph’s College, Katherine

·         Sarina Pech (18 years), Charles Darwin University, Katherine Rural Campus, Katherine 

ALICE SPRINGS' FIRST LEAK DETECTIVE UNCOVERS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS GOING DOWN THE DRAIN

New ‘leak detective’ skills and equipment have arrived in Alice Springs to help businesses and homes save water.


The leak detection initiative is the result of a partnership between Alice Water Smart and a local plumber.

The local ‘detective’ and plumber, Jordi Chalmers has already detected ‘mysterious’ leaks in several businesses, saving thousands of dollars going down the drain.

“Just recently I found a leak that was losing $13,700 worth of water (7.9 million litres) per year” said Jordi Chalmers.
“Water bills and a water audit can identify that there is a leak, but they are often difficult to find, particularly if they are underground.”

Of the 50 businesses and organisations that Alice Water Smart has worked with, 42 have been found to have a leak.

When Alice Water Smart was looking to the plumbing industry for help to detect some of the more difficult, unexplained leaks in buildings and gardens, Mr Chalmers visited Queensland to complete specialist training and invest in a state of the art acoustic leak detective device.

“It’s part technology, part experience and it works a bit like a bat’s sonar!”

“We use the acoustic listening device to sound out the leaks. Leaking pipes have a different ‘pitch’ to pipes that aren’t leaking.”
Large organisations are on average leaking up to 16.5 kilolitres (kL) per day, equating to just over $10,000 worth of water per year off their bottom line.

Small businesses are on average losing 25% of their water use to leaks, at a cost of $3,362 a year.

“The total volume of water lost by businesses audited by Alice Water Smart is on average 5,300 litres a day - that’s more than one average backyard swimming pool (30,000L) per week”, says Alice Water Smart Homes and Business project manager Liz Locksley.

“That’s around 22% of water that is metered and paid but leaking away unused on their premises.”

Alice Water Smart is supported by the Australian Government's Water for the Future initiative.

Developer responds to local housing affordability pressures

Locals looking for affordable land in Darwin may have had their prayers answered after property developer Urbex released its latest land.

The company, which is developing the communities of Johnston Ridge and stage one of Zuccoli in Palmerston, has new house and land packages starting at $540 000 and lots available for less than $290 000.

Urbex General Manager Wayne Rex said the company had listened to local buyers and provided living solutions to meet with both their affordability and living demands.

“We want every Territorian to have the opportunity to fulfil their dream of home ownership,” Mr Rex said.
“We’ve listened to the people of Darwin and worked really hard to price a range of products to suit both their budget and living needs.”

Mr Rex said Urbex conducts regular market research with its buyers to determine their lifestyle requirements and levels of affordability.

“We try to talk with all purchasers and potential buyers who have registered their interest with us to know exactly what they’re looking for and what their budget is,” Mr Rex said.

“First home buyers want to spend less than $600 000 on a new home to be eligible for the First Home Owners Grant of $25 000, while low to middle income earners are looking for more affordable options to be eligible for the Home Build Access loan options.”

This year alone Urbex has sold 19 affordable house and land packages to low to middle income earners under the Northern Territory Government’s Home Build Access buyer initiative. The latest successful family being Cedric Hoarau and Li Wing.

“Our team has worked diligently with government and local builders to deliver a range of quality house and land packages that provide options for all Territory buyers,” Mr Rex said.

“We’ve also held First Home Buyer Information Sessions to educate the community on the steps to buying a home or vacant land, the subsidies available to them and generally assist them on their journey to home ownership.”

Residents who want to take advantage of Urbex’s new house and land packages or vacant land under $290 000 should visit the Urbex Realty, Sales and Information Centre at 18 Cavenagh Street, Darwin or contact Janzey Pratt on 1300 556 950.

For more information visit www.johnstonridge.com.au, www.zuccolivillage.com.au.

Mt Todd EIS available for public comment

The draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Mt Todd Gold Project will be submitted to the Northern Territory Environmental Protection Authority today.

Vista Gold General Manager Brent Murdoch Mr Murdoch said he welcomed the opportunity to clarify environmental aspects of the project through the EIS process.

“We are looking forward to working together with the Government and the community to take this project forward,” Mr Murdoch said.

“We are encouraged by the potential of the project and have consulted with a wide range of representatives from community, non-government groups and key organisations since January 2011 to ensure that we have a full appreciation of the range of factors involved.

“The EIS identifies potential environmental, social, transport, cultural and economic impacts associated with reopening and operating the Mt Todd Gold Mine.

“Community input is an important part of the EIS process. It will help the project team understand what issues are important to the community. It will also allow the project team to identify ways to avoid, mitigate or manage some of the negative impacts and maximise positive ones.”

Vista Gold proposes to re-establish, operate and rehabilitate the Mt Todd Gold Mine approximately 55km north-west of Katherine and 250km south of Darwin.

The draft EIS has been prepared by independent consultants GHD Pty Ltd to support key Commonwealth and Northern Territory Government approvals under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the Northern Territory Environmental Assessment Act 1982.

The document is available on the NTEPA and Mt Todd websites and will be on public display from today until 12 August 2013. A full list of where it is displayed can be accessed from our website.

Interested parties wishing to comment on the draft EIS are invited to make written submissions on or before 12 August.

For more information on how to comment on the draft EIS visit the NT EPA website: www.ntepa.nt.gov.au/about-nt-epa or www.mttodd.com.au

Partysafe heads bush for first time

TIO’s Partysafe program promoting anti drink driving messages is heading bush for the first time.

TIO will be taking Partysafe and its broader road safety program to the Borroloola Show in a partnership with AFLNT and McArthur River Mining.

NT Thunder CEO Jarred Ilett, player Jack McEwin and AFLNT sponsorship manager Brad Stewart will also conduct a “Always Wear a Seatbelt” footy clinic for local kids as part of the event.

TIO Indigenous Community Engagement Officer Mike North said it would be the first time the Partysafe program would be held in a remote Territory community.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to reach out with this important message in Borroloola,” Mike said.

“When McArthur River Mining approached us about getting together to promote road safety we jumped at the chance.”

Partysafe is an educational program which aims to reduce the incidence of drink driving among Territorians. It teaches people that if they do have a few drinks, they should find a safe way to get home.

In addition to providing activities that demonstrate that message, TIO will also be promoting messages around wearing seat belts and not sleeping on roads.

McArthur River Mining will make road safety a central theme of its show display and will be running a colouring-in and poster competition on this theme. The winning entries will be turned into road safety posters for display in local communities.

AFLNT partners with TIO on a range of road safety programs. In addition to helping sell the road safety message in Borroloola, Jarred Ilett, Jack McEwin and Brad Stewart will run a footy clinic for local kids.

Borroloola Show is being held Friday 27 and Saturday 28 June. The footy clinic will be held on Friday from 10am while the Partysafe tent will be operating throughout the show.

New land priced to sell

Territorians looking for affordable land are expected to snap up lots in Johnston Ridge and Zuccoli.

Property developer Urbex has released 13  lots in the Palmerston East suburbs priced between $275 000 and $285 000.

With interest rates at an all-time low and increased local demand, Urbex General Manager Wayne Rex said the company expects the land to sell quickly to Territorian families.

“We have eight lots in Zuccoli and five in Johnston Ridge at great prices,” Mr Rex said.

“There are a variety of lot sizes available giving people an opportunity to choose a lot that suits their needs, whilst fulfiling the dream of home ownership at an affordable price.”

Johnston Ridge and Zuccoli each feature walking and cycle paths with easy access to schools, retail and commercial businesses in Palmerston and Coolalinga.

“There is a limited supply of land over the coming year and through to 2015, and property prices in the region show no sign of slowing,” Mr Rex said.

“I would encourage anyone looking to purchase land in Darwin or Palmerston to act now while lots are available and interest rates are at an all-time low.”

People looking to buy can view a scale model and development plans for Johnston Ridge and Zuccoli at the Urbex Realty, Sales and Information Centre at 18 Cavenagh Street, Darwin.


For further information visit www.johnstonridge.com.au, www.zuccolivillage.com.au or call Janzey Pratt on 08 8930 4444.

TIO to sponsor Traeger Park Oval

TIO has entered into a long term partnership with the Alice Springs Town Council for the naming rights of Traeger Park Oval.

From today the premier sports field will be known as TIO Traeger Park Oval.

Alice Springs Mayor Damien Ryan said the sponsorship over five years was a win for the people of Alice Springs.

“This is a partnership with the people of Alice Springs through Council,” Mr Ryan said.

“Sponsorship from TIO will ensure Traeger Park Oval continues to attract national and international sports fixtures and major events for the people of Alice Springs.”

TIO Chief Executive Richard Harding said the Oval was important to the people of Alice Springs.

“Whether it’s through AFL, NRL, cricket, the Masters Games or a major event, almost every Central Australian has a living memory at Traeger Park Oval,” Mr Harding said.

“This sponsorship not only demonstrates our commitment to the people of Alice Springs, but also compliments our work with the CAFL to improve road safety.”

Mayor Damien Ryan said Council will use the sponsorship to enhance the sound system at the Oval.

“An improved system will increase sound and clarity and help Alice Springs retain and attract major events,” Mr Ryan said.

Mr Harding said TIO said TIO has a long history in Alice Springs and is very confident about its future.  

“We want to help build confidence in the Territory and a more resilient community through insurance, home ownership, safer roads and Territorians fulfill their dreams and lifestyle,” Mr Harding said.

“TIO has made a conscious decision to align our sponsorships and community engagement activities to provide lasting benefits to the Territory.”

TIO Traeger Park Oval features new signage around the Oval grounds and street entries.