All three levels of government have committed to a new $200 million City Deal for Darwin, signing an agreement to revitalise the CBD including a new education and civic precinct for the city.
The historic signing will turbo-charge the local economy and cement Darwin’s position as a liveable tropical capital city for generations to come.
The $200 million investment will support:
- The creation of a new education and civic precinct on Cavenagh Street featuring a new Charles Darwin University campus as well as retail, commercial and community spaces
- Construction of a new art gallery in State Square
- Transformation of public spaces in the CBD to create cooler, greener streetscapes
- A new Urban Living Lab led by the CSIRO, which will test and evaluate improvements in Darwin’s liveability, sustainability and resilience
- Establishment of a process to redevelop a key piece of Defence-owned land at Stokes Hill
- Additional support for the Larrakia people as the traditional owners of Darwin by increasing the share of jobs held by Indigenous Australians through an 8.8 per cent employment target; three per cent supplier-use target for City Deal projects; and $2 million to support the Larrakia Development Corporation’s economic development aspirations
Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, said the deal would boost the local economy, create jobs and support the growth of local small businesses.
“Darwin is already a great place to live and work, and our investment in long-term infrastructure will ensure it remains such an attractive destination,” Mr Morrison said.
“The Darwin City Deal builds on our government’s ongoing commitment to develop northern Australia and infrastructure investments in the Northern Territory, which now total more than $1.5 billion.
“The Territory Labor Government’s number one priority is to create local jobs, and that’s why we have already commenced work to revitalise the CBD with our $100 million investment.
“The City Deal is a recognition of Darwin’s status as the capital of Northern Australia, and as an attractive place to live, work and invest.”
CLP Senator for the Northern Territory, Nigel Scullion, said it was great for the people and future of Darwin.
“We are proud to be delivering this massive boost to jobs and investment in the Territory,” Mr Scullion said.
Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population, Alan Tudge, said the City Deal was a commitment from all three levels of government to the planning needed to support Darwin’s future growth.
“We want to see Darwin thrive, and initiatives like the new education precinct will mean an influx of students is in the city centre, boosting demand for cafes, restaurants, bars and retail stores,” Mr Tudge said.
It’s estimated that the establishment of a new city campus for Charles Darwin University could increase economic output in the Darwin region by more than $250 million over the next 15 years, and sustain an additional 100 jobs in the Darwin economy by 2023.
Lord Mayor of Darwin, Kon Vatskalis, welcomed the ten-year plan for Darwin’s future.
“The council and I look forward to working closely with our City Deal partners as we take forward this historic agreement that will help grow and transform Darwin,” Mr Vatskalis said.
With all three levels of government having now agreed to the City deal, an Implementation Plan will be prepared, setting out key milestones for projects with progress to be reported annually.
