Horizons by RAC Podcast

Perth has recently been recognised as one of the World's Top 20 Most Liveable Cities. But what does "liveability" actually mean, and what would it take for Perth to become one of the very best places in the world to live?

This episode explores the relationship between urban planning, transport, housing and community, examining how cities are designed for people to move, connect and thrive. Rather than simply celebrating a ranking, the conversation asks whether Perth should be chasing a #1 title or focusing on becoming the best possible city for the people who call it home.

Host: Ruth CallaghanGuests: Alix Oaks - RAC Manager Transport Planning & Policy / Cameron Lecky - Founder / Director at Rise Urban and State President of the Planning Institute of Australia (WA).

Chapters:

(0:00) Perth's liveability and what it takes to climb the rankings

(1:17) Perth ranked 20th on Monocle's 2026 Quality of Life Survey

(1:54) What the Monocle list actually measures

(4:00) Perth vs Copenhagen

(6:27) Policy priorities

(7:50) Connecting Perth to its waterways

(10:41) The Monocle criteria up close

(13:33) Perth's identity. Free beaches, and what makes the city unique

(16:23) Equity in liveability: well-served suburbs vs. newer areas left behind

(17:43) Public transport gaps: cross-city connections and the chicken-and-egg problem

(22:37) What's holding Perth back?

(26:36) Perth on the world stage. Selling the city, Fremantle's lessons, and the road to the top 10

Subscribe and share:  If you liked this episode, subscribe to RAC’s Horizons podcast and share it with your friends and family.    

Find us online:

Website: ⁠https://rac.com.au/horizons⁠  

YouTube: ⁠/@horizonsrac⁠ 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/racwa  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/racwa  

After receiving heart breaking life-changing news, Nick and Lindall made the decision to stop waiting for "one day" and start living their dream today.

Leaving behind careers as an electrician and a school teacher, this young couple are embarking on a lap of Australia with their Troopy and beloved red heeler, Sam. Their mission is simple - to inspire others to embrace the present and 'live the dream' in their own way.

In this episode, host Myke Bartlett sits down to discuss the leap of faith that took this young couple from secure careers to life on the road, sharing the highs and lows of off-road and off-grid travel.

Follow their journey:@livingthedream.wa

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

1:56 Life Before the Troopy

4:38 Deciding to Take the Leap

5:23 Losing Mum & Finding Clarity

8:13 Choosing the Road Over a House

10:52 Overcoming Obstacles & Uncertainty

12:36 Family, Friends & Finding Their Why

14:57 Choosing the Troopy

16:45 Affording the Dream: Money, Inheritance & Upfront Costs

20:12 Building the Rig: DIY Mods, Skills & Gear

26:34 Planning the Route: Winging It vs Planning

29:53 Building "Living the Dream" Online

36:35 Life on the Road with Sam 40:26 Training Sam for the Big Lap

45:47 Their Dream Day

48:31 Advice for Anyone Waiting for the Right Time

50:50 Final Thoughts

Subscribe and share:  If you liked this episode, subscribe to RAC’s Horizons podcast and share it with your friends and family.    

Find us online:

Website: ⁠https://rac.com.au/horizons⁠  

YouTube: ⁠/@horizonsrac⁠ 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/racwa  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/racwa  

Legal disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees.  This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only.  Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for independent advice.  References to a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.  RAC accepts no liability for any reliance placed on the content.

If you’ve ever wondered why traffic lights change the way they do - or why freeway speeds suddenly drop - this episode breaks down what’s really happening on our WA roads.

Ruth Callaghan speaks with Scott Fennelly from Main Roads WA about the intelligent transport systems (ITS) working behind the scenes 24/7 to keep people and freight moving safely and efficiently across the network.

From Smart Freeways and ramp signals to real-time traffic management, data, AI, and emerging connected vehicle technology, Scott explains how Main Roads WA monitors the road network, responds to incidents as they happen, and works continuously to reduce congestion across Perth and beyond.

Chapters:

(0:00) What intelligent transport systems really are

(1:47) Scott Fennelly, Main Roads WA

(2:46) Inside the Road Network Operations Centre

(5:38) How ITS tackles congestion. Smart freeways and ramp metering explained

(7:00) Beyond traffic control

(9:29) Why drivers feel frustrated and how in-car connected alerts will change that

(12:02) How signal priority cuts fuel use and emissions

(14:10) AI and machine learning. Predicting incidents before they happen

(17:08) How Main Roads built its own real-time platform

(21:13) What a smart freeway actually does

(24:29) The ITS Master Plan

(27:53) Real-world impact

(29:42) Managing a road network the size of a third of Europe

(31:24) 100 years of Main Roads

Subscribe and share:  If you liked this episode, subscribe to RAC’s Horizons podcast and share it with your friends and family.    

Find us online:

Website: ⁠https://rac.com.au/horizons⁠  

YouTube: ⁠/@horizonsrac⁠ 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/racwa  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/racwa  

Legal disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees.  This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only.  Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for independent advice.  References to a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.  RAC accepts no liability for any reliance placed on the content.

In this episode, Ruth Callaghan speaks with Carla Hoorweg from ANCAP SAFETY about the rise of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including autonomous emergency braking, lane support, and driver-monitoring technologies. The conversation explores driver experiences with systems such as Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), lane support, blind-spot monitoring, and driver-monitoring technology.

Carla discusses common concerns around false alerts, intrusive interventions, and driver frustration, while explaining the role of ANCAP and how ANCAP gathers consumer feedback and works with manufacturers to improve system performance and usability.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:15 What are Active Driver Assist Systems (ADAS)?

02:44 From ABS to AEB: how safety tech became seamless

05:10 Driver monitoring and attention detection

06:21 The learning curve for drivers and the role of dealerships

08:48 Blind spot monitoring and the path to autonomous vehicles

13:10 The role of ANCAP and the star rating system

15:48 Setting guardrails for manufacturers

16:47 The four new assessment pillars

22:14 Post-crash safety: the golden hour, eCall and rescue

24:49 Buttons vs touchscreens: usability and access

26:43 How the points and star ratings work

27:41 Divisive systems and false positives

28:23 Consumer feedback reshaping the protocols

30:47 What autonomous emergency braking feels like

33:29 Poorly tuned systems and what drivers can do

34:36 Balancing driver control and safety

37:59 The road to self-driving cars

38:58 Liability, regulation and consumer trust

40:06 Closing

Subscribe and share:  If you liked this episode, subscribe to RAC’s Horizons podcast and share it with your friends and family.    

Find us online:

Website: ⁠https://rac.com.au/horizons⁠  

YouTube: ⁠/@horizonsrac⁠ 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/racwa  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/racwa  

Legal disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees.  This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only.  Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for independent advice.  References to a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.  RAC accepts no liability for any reliance placed on the content.

Does reducing a speed limit by just 10km/h really make a difference?

When WA reduced local street speed limits from 60km/h to 50km/h in 2001, pedestrian crashes in Perth fell dramatically. Now, as more councils consider 40km/h limits on local roads, the debate around safer speeds is back in focus.

In this episode, David Elston (RAC Manager Road Safety Policy) and Tim Judd (PJA Road Safety Engineer & Strategic Transport Planner) discuss the science of speed, crash survivability, common myths about lower speed limits, Perth's Inner City Safer Speed Zone Project, and the broader benefits slower speeds can bring to neighbourhoods and activity centres.

Chapters:(00:00) Introduction, WA's road safety problem and fatality statistics

(01:16) Guest introductions, Tim Judd  and David Elston 

(02:00) City of Vincent as the first inner-city council to trial 40km/h

(02:40) COVID's unexpected role in extending the North Perth speed trial

(04:15) How speed reduction improves road safety

(06:00) Stopping distances compared, 50km/h vs 40km/h

(07:00) Kinetic energy explained, why speed has an outsized impact on survival

(07:40) Pedestrian survival rates at 50km/h vs 40km/h vs 30km/h

(09:10) Research into survivability across different crash types

(11:15) 10km/h speed reduction linked to 30% fewer deaths and serious injuries

(12:25) Benefits beyond safety, noise, amenity, and community liveability

(14:45) The piecemeal problem, why network-wide limits are more effective

(25:40) The Margaret River Safer Speeds trial explained

(29:05) Perth inner-city councils expected to adopt 40km/h permanently

(33:20) What success looks like, kids walking to school, al fresco dining, liveable streets

Subscribe and share:  If you liked this episode, subscribe to RAC’s Horizons podcast and share it with your friends and family.    

Find us online:

Website: ⁠https://rac.com.au/horizons⁠  

YouTube: ⁠/@horizonsrac⁠ 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/racwa  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/racwa  

Legal disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees. 

This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only.  Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for independent advice.  References to a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.  RAC accepts no liability for any reliance placed on the content.

On this episode of the Horizons by RAC Podcast, four roadside assistance Patrols come together to celebrate a century of helping West Australians when they need it most, and the stories they share prove RAC’s Roadside Assistance has always been about far more than fixing cars.

Malcolm, April, Richard and Sean have spent decades on WA roads, from Perth’s busiest freeways to remote country backroads around Albany. While the vehicles, technology and uniforms have changed over the years one thing hasn’t: the job is ultimately about helping people through stressful moments.

This episode is filled with stories that capture the unpredictable nature of Patrol work, in celebration of RACWA Roadside Assistance's 100th birthday.

Chapters:

0:00 Welcome & Introductions

01:24 Sean's Story

4:52 April's Story

10:47 Richard's Story

15:47 Malcolm's Story

21:56 Mystery Box Opens: Member Moments

25:51 Common Driver Mistakes & Best WA Roads

30:53 What to Keep in Your Car & Dramatic Breakdown Moments

39:40 Funny & Unforgettable Callouts

48:29 EV Questions & Car Myths

56:23 Then vs Now & Looking to the Future

1:09:08 CEO Message & Cake Celebration

Subscribe and share: 

If you liked this episode, subscribe to RAC’s Horizons podcast and share it with your friends and family.    

Find us online:

Website: ⁠https://rac.com.au/horizons⁠  

YouTube: ⁠/@horizonsrac⁠ 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/racwa  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/racwa  

Legal disclaimer:

The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees.  This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only.  Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for independent advice.  References to a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.  RAC accepts no liability for any reliance placed on the content.

Since he was a kid riding in the back seat of his parents’ car looking out the window, Ronny Dahl has always wondered where the roads lead. That curiosity eventually turned into a life on the road — and today he stands as one of Australia’s most well-known 4WD adventurers.

With years of experience exploring some of the most remote and extraordinary corners of the country he proudly calls “the best in the world,” Ronny has built a wealth of hard-earned knowledge about travel, adventure, and life off the beaten track.

In this episode, Ronny sits down with Myke Barlette to share stories of travelling Australia’s roads — from the highs and challenges of life on the track, to what it really takes to explore this vast and unforgiving land.

Chapters:

(0:00) Ronny on freedom, isolation, and the lure of the open road

(1:23) Ronny Dahl, creator of 4 Wheeling Australia

(2:10) Road trips with dad and the XD Falcon adventure to Tom Price

(5:26) Getting bogged at Lancelin and discovering tyre pressures

(7:32) How the YouTube channel started in 2011 and grew to nearly 600k subscribers

(12:30) Tag-along tours and the leap to full-time content creator(14:08) Going off-grid

(17:50) Planning the Canning Stock Route — 1,850km of remote track with one fuel stop

(19:44) The overconfidence trap

(24:00) Salt lake incident

(29:22) Simpson Desert

(33:00) Caught in a lightning storm on Connie Sue Highway

(35:51) Recovery safety

(39:07) Mindset in a crisis

(45:28) Essential gear for your first 4WD trip

(53:19) Responsibility as an influencer

(1:03:16) Must-visit WA destination

Follow Ronny Dahl's adventures:https://www.4-wheeling-in-western-australia.com/
Subscribe and share:  If you liked this episode, subscribe to RAC’s Horizons podcast and share it with your friends and family.    

Find us online:

Website: ⁠https://rac.com.au/horizons⁠  

YouTube: ⁠/@horizonsrac⁠ 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/racwa  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/racwa  

Legal disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees. 

This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only.  Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for independent advice.  References to a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.  RAC accepts no liability for any reliance placed on the content.

What began as a normal day on the water in Western Australia’s Geographe Bay, quickly became a fight for survival.In this episode, 13-year-old Austin Appelbee relives the terrifying moment he, his mum Joanne and his siblings (aged 12 and 8) became lost at sea - and his gruelling four-hour swim that followed to save his family.

Joanne shares the unimaginable choice no parent should ever have to make, and the overwhelming fear of not knowing if help would arrive in time.

Critical care paramedic Josh Lyons, who was onboard the RAC rescue helicopter, takes us inside the high-stakes search mission to find them against the odds.

This episode is also the first time Austin, Joanne, and Josh have come together since that life-changing day.Host: Myke BartlettGuests: Joanne and Austin Appelbee (mother and son) and Josh Lyons (critical care paramedic)

The RAC Rescue helicopters are funded by the State Government, managed by the  Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) and sponsored by RAC.

Chapters:

(0:00) The rescue at sea

(1:45) Introducing Austin, Joanne & Josh

(2:15) A last paddle before heading home from holiday

(5:51) How it all went wrong

(11:00) Josh on how fast ocean situations escalate

(16:45) Swept further out to sea

(19:48) The decision(24:27) Austin sets off

(33:30) Knocked off and trapped under the kayak

(35:03) The swim

(44:45) Joanne keeping the younger kids calm through the night at sea

(48:45) Austin reaches the shore

(53:51) The triple zero call and the information that guided the rescue

(1:06:30) The rescue

(1:10:00) Reunited

(1:14:30) Called a hero

(1:20:24) Lessons in ocean safety, life jackets & human resilience + wrap

Subscribe and share:  If you liked this episode, subscribe to RAC’s Horizons podcast and share it with your friends and family.    

Find us online:Website: ⁠https://rac.com.au/horizons⁠  

YouTube: ⁠ / @horizonsrac⁠ 

Instagram:   www.instagram.com/racwa  

Facebook:   www.facebook.com/racwa  

Legal disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees.  This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only.  Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for independent advice.  References to a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.  RAC accepts no liability for any reliance placed on the content.

Thinking about hitting the road in a caravan but not sure where to start - or what you actually need?

In this episode, Myke Bartlett chats with Mike Sandilands (Driver Risk Management & Caravan expert to Horizons by RAC YouTube) to break it all down.

From trying before you buy, to choosing the right vehicle and finding a setup that suits your lifestyle and budget. They also unpack the realities with costs, storage, maintenance and the common mistakes that can catch first-timers out!

Whether you’re just starting out or planning your next upgrade, this is your guide to getting on the road with confidence.

Chapters:

(0:00) Caravan freedom, common mistakes & what to get right from the start

(1:45) Introducing Mike Sandilands: the man to talk to about a van

(2:15) Why caravan life appeals to so many Australians

(3:15) Mike's own journey

(4:15) The post-COVID caravan boom and why parks now need to be booked well ahead

(5:45) Mike's background

(6:45) Step one for beginners: hire before you buy

(9:15) What to focus on when trialling a setup. Comfort, space & family needs

(12:15) How your current vehicle shapes your caravan options

(13:30) The biggest mistake you can make

(14:45) Petrol vs diesel vs EV

(21:15) Choosing the right caravan for your lifestyle

(23:15) On-grid vs off-grid: what's the actual difference?

(27:30) What does a full caravan setup actually cost?

(31:00) Storage: council rules, costs & creative solutions

(36:45) Final advice for those sitting on the fence

(39:15) Why WA is perfect caravan country

Guest: Mike Sandilands https://www.driverrisk.com.au/

Training courses here: Driver Risk Management | Advanced Driver Training & Safety

https://www.driverrisk.com.au/training/

Catch up on your Caravan 'How To': https://www.youtube.com/@UCVqC3suMevCzn-N3VUG1U2w

(95) Caravan How-Tos - YouTube Subscribe and share:  If you liked this episode, subscribe to RAC’s Horizons podcast and share it with your friends and family.    

Find us online:

Website: ⁠https://rac.com.au/horizons⁠  

YouTube: ⁠ / @horizonsrac⁠ 

Instagram:   www.instagram.com/racwa  

Facebook:   www.facebook.com/racwa  

Legal disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees.  This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only.  Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for independent advice.  References to a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.  RAC accepts no liability for any reliance placed on the content.

After a life-changing diagnosis, Britt and Wade Williams knew something had to change. So, they sold everything, packed up their lives with their two young boys—Nixon and Thomas—and set off to travel Australia indefinitely in their caravan.

Join Myke Bartlett as they discuss navigating life on the road—working remotely, homeschooling, budgeting, and learning the realities of full-time family van life.

This is the real journey: the highs, the lows, the lessons, and everything in between. For them, it isn’t just about travel—it’s about slowing down, staying connected, and making the most of the life they could have lost.

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction to the podcast 

(04:45) Wade's brain tumour diagnosis 

(07:30) Decision to sell up and hit the road 

(10:00) The Facebook photo moment 

(12:15) Pre-departure fears 

(15:30) 5-month planning sprint 

(16:15) The #1 travel tip 

(19:45) Funding the trip 

(23:45) What a lap actually costs 

(28:30) Essential gear & first aid 

(31:45) Day in the life. Homeschooling & remote work 

(36:15) Adapting to caravan life 

(46:30) Impact on the relationship 

(54:45) Toughest days on the road 

(1:00:45) Favourite destinations 

(1:03:30) Shifting values 

(1:07:00) Advice & closing reflections 

Follow their journey: https://www.instagram.com/wandering.with.the.willys/

Subscribe and share:  If you liked this episode, subscribe to RAC’s Horizons podcast and share it with your friends and family.    

Find us online:

Website: ⁠https://rac.com.au/horizons⁠  

YouTube: ⁠/@horizonsrac⁠ 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/racwa  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/racwa  

Legal disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees.  This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only.  Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for independent advice.  References to a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.  RAC accepts no liability for any reliance placed on the content.