Benefits are being felt across Darwin as completed City Deal projects come online according to a first annual progress report.
The release of the report comes at the same time as construction of the new Charles Darwin University Education and Community Precinct is about to get underway.
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure, Alan Tudge, said the City Deal had also been an economic boost for employers through the NT’s Designated Area Migration Agreement.
“In its first year of operation, the NT had businesses offering up 520 positions, while the Australian Government relocated a further ten jobs to Darwin,” Mr Tudge said.
“On the back of this, the new Education and Community Precinct will be a world-class university campus that will attract and retain more international students and create more jobs.”
The precinct will create hundreds of jobs during the construction phase and inject an estimated 54 ongoing jobs a year in the Darwin economy.
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Michael Gunner, said Darwin residents have already benefited from completed projects under the Deal.
“This is all about Territory jobs – protecting jobs and creating jobs for Territorians. The Civic and State Square Master Plan is creating 280 local jobs, with the 450 bay underground carpark already built and open,” Mr Gunner said.
“The Darwin City Deal will transform the CBD into a place that has more jobs for locals, more customers for businesses and more things to do for Territorians.”
Darwin Lord Mayor, Kon Vatskalis, said it is great to see all levels of government working together to make Darwin a more vibrant and liveable city.
“The Switching On Darwin project turned on energy-saving LED lighting across the city as well as expanding free public wifi access,” Mr Vatskalis said.
“This exciting project rolled out smart technologies to create a safer, more sustainable and technologically advanced city, winning the 2019 Smart City of the Year Regional Award along the way.
“It’s an exciting time to be in Darwin and watching these projects come to life, all while supporting and creating a range of jobs that benefits the community.
“I am really pleased with the City Deal’s progress so far, and I look forward to seeing what else it will achieve over the next year.”
