NewsRoom 2005
Please contact the Media Liaison Officer for further information about the NT Transport Group news, media releases or activities:
Media Liaison Officer - Martin Bennett
Ph: (08) 8924 7004
Fax: (08) 8924 7044
Mobile: 0401 119 833
Email: Martin.Bennett@nt.gov.au
Bus 115 dedicated to Darwin’s longest serving bus driver
21 December 2005
View Media Release (pdf 26kb).
Starlight Special - Free Buses for New Year's Eve
12 December 2005
Partygoers on New Year’s Eve are urged to take advantage of the free buses supplied by the Government for the Darwin and rural region.
Getting New Year revellers safely to and from the City and their parties is a yearly government initiative.
There will be Free buses from 7pm December 31st to 7am January 1st 2006 enabling people to enjoy themselves and stay safe on the roads, while keeping road congestion down after the midnight festivities finish.
Personalised Number Plate Public Tender
02 December 2005
On 24 November 2005, Motor Vehicle Registry went to a public tender to offer the Territory public the ‘right to display’ eight available car / truck type number plates:13, 31, 77, 82, 120, 127, 158 and 197.
People that are interested in tendering for one or more plates should look in either Thursday 24 November 2005 Northern Territory News or the NT Government Tender web site www.nt.gov.au/tenders for details.
Advertisements will run in most Northern Territory newspapers over the tender period. Please Note: The tender period runs from Thursday 24 November 2005, closing at 2:00 pm 07 December 2005.
Since 2003 available low numbered plates for cars / trucks, motorcycles and trailers in the range of 1 to 200 have been retained by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles once the plate holder’s ‘right to display’ the plate expired. A public tender allows for an open and transparent process for the public to obtain the ‘right to display’ a low numbered plate on an NT registered vehicle.
Around May and November each year there will be a public tender of any low numbered number plates for car/truck, motorcycle or trailer that have become available.
We share the roads. So let’s look out for each other
25 November 2005
View Media Release (pdf 26kb).
Sober Bob is back for the festive season...
22 November 2005
Sober Bob, the Northern Territory’s designated sober driver campaign has been launched for Christmas and New Year 2005-06. Participating licensed premises all over the Territory will supply free post mix soft drink to designated drivers during the festive season. Further information is available at www.soberbob.nt.gov.au. View Media Release (pdf 26kb).
New speed limit for Stuart Park section of the Stuart Highway
16 November 2005
View Media Release (pdf 26kb).
New Bus Services Palmerston & Rural
11 November 2005
A new bus route and additional services will be available to Palmerston, Virginia, Noonamah and Humpty Doo residents from Monday 14 November 2005.
Route 440 New Service: Palmerston - Virginia - Noonamah - Humpty Doo - Palmerston
Monday to Saturday
Depart Palmerston Interchange 10.00am & 1.30pm
Palmerston Interchange
Torrens (R) Roystonea (L) Temple Tce onto Stuart Hwy (R) Virginia Rd (L) Jacomb Pl (L) Francesca Circ (R) London Rd (R) Lowther Rd (R) Bees Creek Rd (L) Gulnare Rd (R) Stuart Hwy (L) Elizabeth Valley Rd (L) Redcliffe Rd (L Freds Pass Rd Humpty Doo (L) Arnhem Hwy (R) Stuart Hwy (L) Temple Tce (R) Roystonea (L) Torrens Palmerston Interchange Torrens (R) Roystonia (L) Temple Tce onto Stuart Hwy (R) Arnhem Hwy to Humpty Doo.
Additional services will be available on Saturdays and weekdays during school holidays for these routes:
Route 445 Noonamah – Palmerston Interchange
Route 446 Gulnare Rd – Palmerton Interchange
Route 447 Humpty Doo – Palmerston Interchange
Route 450 Humpty Doo – Palmerston Interchange
Please note: there are no services on Sundays and Public Holidays.
Extension to Bus Service Route 72 Palmerston Via Bakewell, Rosebery and Gunn
24 October 2005
The Route 72 Bus Service from Palmerston via Bakewell and Rosebery will be extended to service the Gunn area of Palmerston. The new extended services will commence on Monday 7 November 2005.
Territory leads the way with new buses for students with disabilities
17 October 2005
View Media Release (pdf 26kb).
Free Buses to Crusty Demons Freestyle Motocross Spectacular on Saturday 15 October 2005
29 September 2005
Free buses are being provided for the public to attend the Crusty Demons event at Marrara Sports Ground on Saturday 15 October 2005.
Free buses will be provided from Casuarina, Palmerston and Darwin Bus Interchanges. Buses will pick up at all bus stops along each route. Buses will depart from 9.30pm at the end of the event at regualr intervals.
Passengers can show their Crusty Demons ticket to the bus driver to get free travel on any other regular Darwinbus Network service from 12.00pm onwards.
New School Bus Interchange at Humpty Doo
08 September 2005
In 2002 St Francis of Assisi Primary School generously offered their school grounds as an interchange area for the school buses.
A new school bus interchange has now been specially built. The interchange is located on Challoner Circuit at Humpty Doo and will commence operation on Monday 19 September 2005.
The new interchange offers a fully fenced, secure area that is safe from traffic for the students to exchange buses. There will be two supervisors on duty every afternoon at the interchange to help with the smooth transfer of students.
Road Transport Forum to address remote area challenges
24 August 2005
View Media Release (pdf 94kb).
NT Marine Safety Boat, Motor and Leisure Show 2005
22 August 2005
The NT Marine Safety Boat, Motor and Leisure Show is on again this weekend, 27 and 28 August 2005, at Marrara Indoor Stadium and the adjacent lawns.
As the major sponsor of the Show, Marine Safety Branch’s Lyle Thompson has been working tirelessly the last couple of months, liaising with other areas of NT Government and the Boating Industry Association to make sure all runs smoothly. More information on the NT Marine Safety Boat, Motor and Leisure Show 2005.
Additional bus services for Royal Darwin show
15 July 2005
The regular Darwinbus network route 8 between Darwin and Palmerston will pick up and drop off at the old weighbridge area outside the showgrounds on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 July.
There will be an addditional service between Casuarina Interchange and the show. Buses will drop off and pick up at all bus stops along the route - normal fares apply.
Challenges for Remote Area Transport
13 July 2005
The Remote Areas Heavy Vehicle Transport Consultative Forum
A half day forum on freight transport in remote areas of Australia.
Transporting freight by road in remote areas of Australia presents unique challenges to everyone involved in the heavy vehicle transport industry.
This half day forum will give participants the opportunity to find out about and discuss national reform initiatives, current issues and future challenges.
Industry experts and representatives from across Australia will share the latest research and information on:
- fatigue
- road pricing
- telecommunications
- multi combination innovative vehicles
- performance Based Standards National Reform.
The forum is a cooperative project initiated by the Remote Areas Consultative Group and hosted by the National Transport Commission (NTC), the Western Australian Department of Infrastructure and Planning, Queensland Transport, South Australia Department of Transport and the Northern Territory Department of Planning and Infrastructure.
For further information and to register for the forum call 8924 7965.
Free Buses - V8 Supercar Championships at Hidden Valley 1 to 3 July 2005
24 June 2005
Catch a FREE bus to the V8 Supercar Championships at Hidden Valley. FREE buses will be leaving from Nightcliff, Casuarina, Darwin, Palmerston and Humpty Doo on Saturday and Sunday. A special service will be provided from Darwin on Friday. FREE buses will also be provided for departure.
So plan your day out at the V8’s knowing how you will get to and from the raceway – catch a FREE bus. Our buses are air-conditioned, safe and easy to catch! Buses will pick up at bus stops along each route.
Special Friday Service
The decorated V8 Supercar bus will run a free service on Friday from Darwin
Interchange to Hidden Valley direct via Stuart Highway. Departs every
half hour from Darwin Interchange 9.00am to 5.00pm and
returns every half hour.
Boat Maintenance and Safety Day Sunday 19 June 2005
Time: 9.00 am-1.00 pm
19 June 2005
The Boat Maintenance and Safety Day will be held at the Darwin Trailer Boat Club on Sunday 19 June 2005. There will be demonstrations of the correct use of flares, how to maintain your boat motor, and boat launching and retrieval tips. You might even win an EPIRB 406! Starting at 9.00 am, it will be a great family day with a range of displays and giveaways will be available on the day. For more information contact the Marine Safety Branch by email marinesafety@nt.gov.au or telephone 8999 5285.
FREE Buses NT vs Samoa Rugby 17 June & AFL Game June 18
09 June 2005
The Department of Planning and Infrastructure will provide free buses for two major sporting events on the weekend of 17 -19 June. The international rugby union match between NT Mosquitos and Samoa on Friday 17 June and the AFL game between Western Bulldogs and Carlton will both be serviced by free buses.
Free Buses for BASSINTHEGRASS
31 May 2005
Free buses are being provided for the public to attend Bass In The Grass on Saturday 4 June 2005.
The regular Darwinbus network services 4, 8 and 10 will get you to the Darwin Bus Interchange (normal fares apply) where you can pick up a free shuttle bus to the Bass In The Grass Bus Stop on Gardens Road at the entrance to the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens.
The shuttle bus will operate from 11.00am to midnight.
At the end of the night buses will depart the Gardens to Casuarina and Palmerston interchanges via routes 4, 8 and 10. When they arrive at the interchanges, the buses will continue on to do a loop around the suburbs dropping off as required on main roads.
View the Free Bus Timetable (pdf 48kb) for Bass In The Grass.
Kiana School - a Bike Safety Aware School
23 May 2005
Children at Kiana School are delighted with the nine new bike helmets awarded to them by Road Safety Branch.
Road safety conscious teacher, Lance Sharp, organised all thirteen of the school’s students to enter the ‘Back to School’ competition that the branch ran at the start of the school year.
Workzone Traffic Management Training
28 April 2005
The Department of Planning and Infrastructure has revised the training requirements for work zone traffic management on Northern Territory Government roads.
Workzone Traffic Management will now require certification of all road workers in the NT at the following levels:
- Traffic Controller
- Basic Workforce Traffic Management
- Advanced Workzone Traffic Management
Registered Training Organisations are encouraged to participate in the delivery of this nationally accredited course to service the change in Government requirements.
Taxi Ballot set to ride again
11 April 2005
Commercial passenger vehicle operators in Darwin and Alice Springs have the opportunity to apply for further taxi licences, with a taxi ballot to occur in May 2005. View Media Release (pdf 95kb).
Changes to traffic conditions in Katherine
21 March 2005
As of 4 April 2005, Katherine motorists will no longer be permitted to turn left on a red light at the Katherine Terrace/Giles Street intersection.
All signage advertising the ‘Turn Left on Red Permitted After Stopping’ facility will be removed from the intersection the day before the change takes effect.
The change results from a safety evaluation of the intersection, which found poor compliance with the need to stop before proceeding as well as the need to turn in a safe manner. View Media Release (pdf 33kb).
Drive to arrive this Easter
21 March 2005
The Territory’s peak road safety body has urged motorists to take particular care on rural roads over Easter and to plan their trip well in advance to avoid unnecessary tragedy.
Road Safety Council Chairperson Peter Poole said the key message for road users was “drive to arrive”. View Media Release (pdf 20kb).
Free Buses for Senior Citizens Easter luncheon
16 March 2005
The Northern Territory Government, through the Department of Planning and Infrastructure is providing free buses for Darwin’s senior citizens to attend the annual ‘Kalymnian Brotherhood Easter Lunch for Seniors’. The luncheon is being held at the Kalymnian Hall on Easter Sunday, 27 March 2005. The NT Government has been proudly supporting this event for six years.
Free buses for the AFL Wizards Cup Game - 26 February
21 February 2005
The Northern Territory Government, through the Department of Planning and Infrastructure is providing FREE BUSES to the AFL Wizard Cup match at Marrara on Saturday, 26 February 2005.
Changes to some morning bus times
4 February 2005
People travelling on bus routes 4, 5 and 9 will have to make a slightly earlier start in the mornings from Monday 7 February. The first morning service for each of the routes will leave five minutes earlier.
The new times are:
- Route 4 - Departs Casuarina at 6.30am (not 6.35am)
- Route 5 - Departs Casuarina at 6.55am (not 7am)
- Route 9 - Departs Palmerston at 6am (not 6.05am)
Are you interested in cycling?
2 February 2005
The Department's cycling web page has been updated. New features include maps of cycle networks in the Territory's main centers, links to useful cycling web sites, details of the current renewal of Australia Cycling - the National Strategy and a page where maintenance issues on cycle paths can be reported.
Wet season flooding in Katherine region
28 January 2005
Katherine staff have been keeping a close eye on rainfall and water levels in the region. Their monitoring work indicates flooding may occur in the Tindal Creek floodplain this wet season, even with average rainfall.
People living in Katherine are advised to prepare a flood kit including a radio, torch, batteries, tinned food, a first aid kit, medications and plenty of drinking water. More information on flooding this Wet season in the Tindal Creek floodplain (pdf 50kb).