Andrea Wicking calls for ‘considered development’ of the Esplanade

An industry leader says more needs to be done to activate the Esplanade. Do you agree? Share your suggestions.

DEVELOPMENT at Darwin’s iconic Esplanade is back on the agenda with a prominent retail advocate calling for the city’s focus to be shifted away from the Waterfront.

Outgoing Darwin City Retailers Association general manager Andrea Wicking told the NT Business Review it was time to shift development focus from the Waterfront to the other city precincts.

“It’s okay to put all the money in the Waterfront. It’s a great asset and it’s a drawcard,” Ms Wicking said.

“The problem is Darwin has a massive Esplanade space which could be developed with consideration. I’m not saying develop it all, what I’m saying is considered development where we’re maximising that view of the sea and providing an alternative space for visitors and locals alike.”

Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis agreed with the concept of additional CBD focal points.

“City of Darwin would like to see a development on the Esplanade, which would provide direct access to Darwin Harbour and also create an important and much-needed focal point for the CBD,” Mr Vatskalis said.

“Ideally, such a proposal should also connect with the Darwin Waterfront.

“Our concept for the Lameroo Coast development would do this while also invigorating Darwin’s economic growth and leave a lasting impression on visitors to the city.

Andrea Wicking is proposing more Esplanade. Picture: Che Chorley

“The area has a rich and diverse history reaching back to the Larrakia Traditional Owners and including everything from the old Lameroo baths, to a strong wartime connection highlighted by the old oil storage tanks and the colourful social history associated with the hippies who camped on the beach in the 70s.

“Our current concept has drawn on previous infrastructure planning and community consultations.”

Mr Vatskalis said the council would soon begin seeking out private partners for the $100m CBD reinvigoration project.

Ms Wicking supported improved beachside access.

“Everybody wants to sit seaside, no matter where you are in the world and enjoy it and we’ve got one of the best harbours in the world. Why aren’t we maximising that?” she said.

“The Esplanade can be multipurpose so nobody misses out being able to use it and the council can make money from it by creating event spaces that can be hired out. If we put all the money down at the Waterfront, the rest of the city is going to look average.

“It’s going to cause a situation where we have the haves and the have-nots and I don’t think that’s good for retailers across the board. Despite bureaucrats talking about connectivity, we really do not have a walkable city and this will divide where people go.

“As the Waterfront becomes even more attractive, there’s naturally going to be other retailers who are going to go down there and we begin to see even larger voids of vacant shopfronts in our CBD.

“You could almost change where the centre of activity is.”

Ms Wicking said there was talk of commercial development around Garramilla Blvd during the planning and construction phase, which caused concern the business centre of the CBD would be realigned.

“The Waterfront’s amazing. I’m just worried if you keep pumping all the money there and you don’t focus on some of the other areas, the rest of Darwin is going to look very average,” she said.

The conversation comes less than two years after City of Darwin councillors were booed and jeered in council’s chambers during debate on a proposal to develop a new Returned Services League headquarters at the Esplanade.

The RSL withdrew the proposal after a significant public backlash to the development.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles indicated she is open to ‘activation’ at the Esplanade while retaining green space.

“The Esplanade is a City of Darwin asset and we do see activation of City of Darwin assets from time-to-time with usually lifestyle, restaurant cafe type developments,” Ms Fyles said.

“I think they need to be carefully balanced. I think that as our economy grows, as the Northern Territory grows, we do need to value green space but I certainly believe in anything that activates space and provides more amenity for Territorians.”

Do you agree? Share your suggestions in the comments.

Originally published as Andrea Wicking calls for ‘considered development’ of the Esplanade