Casuarina Square claims crime victory as tough new laws bite

The NT Government’s tough stance on crime is working, a leading property owner said. Read how crime’s dropping.

The Finocchiaro Government’s crime crackdown has delivered dividends at the Territory’s largest shopping centre.

Sentinel Property Group chief executive Warren Ebert said for February, moving annual turnover (MAT) at the centre increased five per cent and the average customer spend increased almost eight per cent.

Mr Ebert said cracking down on youth crime had seen a “marked reduction” since the August election.

Mr Ebert said between January 2024, and January 2025, there had been a 25 per cent fall in incidents involving youth at the centre and a 39 per cent drop since January, 2023.

Additionally, there was a 26 per cent decrease in adult incidents between January 2025, and January, 2023.

Crime is down at Casuarina Shopping Square. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“We are delighted that businesses at Casuarina Square have enjoyed increased sales with the focus on significantly improving safety at the centre and the CLP government’s commitment to tackle the scourge of crime in the Territory,” Mr Ebert said.

“All crime, particularly incidents with youth offenders, has been trending down.

“A lot of good work has gone into making this happen and the CLP government deserves credit for making life tougher for offenders and reducing the age of criminal responsibility.

“If you’re in jail and you don’t get bail, you’re not doing any crime. Government-funded youth mentors onsite seven days a week have also been influential in reducing crime.”

The appointment of a new security firm over the past year who has focused on preventing troublemakers from entering the centre.

“Several well-known youth offenders have been arrested and as a result their followers have dissipated,” Mr Ebert said.

“We had to ban students from schools in the past from coming to the centre because of fights. “But the new laws to stop people posting and boasting about unlawful activity on social media has led to a reduction in the pre-organised fights to create social media content.”

In addition, Sentinel is planning a $50 million renovation of Casuarina Square to further improve the centre’s security.

“This includes moving the bus interchange – a magnet for anti-social behaviour – to a new location as well as relocating bottle shops and banks,” Mr Ebert said.

Earlier this year the NT News reported the Northern Territory Government and City of Darwin were involved in talks to relocate the interchange to a location near the Leanyer Water Park on Vanderlin Drive.

Originally published as Casuarina Square claims crime victory as tough new laws bite