The Horizons by RAC podcast puts a WA-focus on a range of issues impacting how we live, work and travel around our cities and towns, from the cost of motoring to the new technologies and social trends that are shaping our future.
#31 Winner! Perth's voted Top 20 Most Liveable City in the World! Find out why here!
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
31 Jul 2026
The Aussie Lap of their Life - How Their 'One day" Became Today! #30
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.waChapters: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 ThoughtsSubscribe 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.
7 Jul 2026
Stuck at a Red Light? Here’s What’s Really Going On #29
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.
Who has been a guest on Horizons Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Adrian Warner
Des Duguid
Paul Roberts
Graeme Cocks
Tim McLennan
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
541,424
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Spotify
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 48 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
48
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
32
Contact Horizons Podcast
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
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