City of Darwin’s new Civic Centre, works to get underway before dry season
City of Darwin acting mayor Mick Palmer believes the new $77 million civic centre development will value add to Darwin. Read why.
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City of Darwin acting mayor Mick Palmer believes the new $77 million civic centre development will value add to Darwin.
Works for the City of Darwin’s proposed civic centre are expected to begin soon, following the approval of the development application by the Development Consent Authority.
The project is forecast to create more than 500 jobs at its peak of construction.
Mr Palmer said the development represented further opportunity in the civic centre precinct beyond the construction of a new building.
“It will be a great add to Darwin,” Mr Palmer said.
“The current building was built in 1967 and has been in disrepair for a number of years.
“You look around and there are no cranes in the sky at the moment. Cranes in the sky are an indication of how well an economy is going.
“If this project can kick start confidence in the Darwin economy well and good.”
The new civic centre, which will also include a multi-level carpak, will include
include a new larger public library and community space, as well as accessible facilities, including changing places and other public amenities.
It will also include space for City of Darwin’s administration and technical services offices, which will take up less space than the current office space in the existing building.
Local construction company DCOH will fund, own and operate floors 11 to 20 of the building, which will be for commercial use.
The $77 million investment by City of Darwin into the centre is comprised of $47 million from reserves that can only be used for public carparking or for the development of a new civic centre, as well as $30 million in external borrowings.
The use of borrowings for the new civic centre will mean build costs are allocated across multiple years and ensure “intergenerational equity”, according to City of Darwin.
City of Darwin chief executive Simone Saunders said the new civic centre would create more community amenities and an improved library.
“The new Civic Centre building will be constructed on the current open air carparking site and will take up a smaller footprint than the existing building so that, once complete, the area will be transformed into a cool, green community plaza,” Ms Saunders said.
“Once complete, the new building will feature approximately 410 car spaces, owned by City of Darwin, that can be used by residents, workers and visitors to the city as well as an improved Customer Service centre.
“While works take place, the City Library and Customer Service centre remain open and can be accessed via the existing Customer Service entry, in front of Civic Park. The existing car park will be closed for the build and there will be 15-minute parking and accessible bays available on Harry Chan Ave.”
Once complete, a new plaza will be created where the existing civic centre building is and it will give prominence to Galamarrma, the Tree of Knowledge, to ensure it is protected.
DCOH managing director and CEO Shane Dignan said the company was excited to partner with COD on the project to grow Darwin.
“Growing Darwin and the territory is something DCOH prides itself upon, and we are thrilled to be taking the next step towards this with the new Civic Centre,” he said.
“A lot of hard work has gone into this architectural landmark project since its inception, and DCOH would like to thank the local planners, architects and consultants who have contributed thus far.”
Construction is expected to begin early in the dry season this year and be complete in 2028.
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Originally published as City of Darwin’s new Civic Centre, works to get underway before dry season
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