Charles Darwin University to begin construction on CBD site this year after $14.6 million Cavenagh St carpark sale
DARWIN council has officially sold the Cavenagh St carpark to Charles Darwin University for $14.6 million, allowing construction to start on its new university this year
Northern Territory
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DARWIN council has officially sold the Cavenagh St carpark to Charles Darwin University for $14.6 million, allowing construction to start on its new university this year.
The $225 million project is set to be completed and operational in 2024.
Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said the council pushed through negotiations to finalise the sale before the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility met on May 4 to make a decision on the facility.
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“Council met (on Thursday), we had an offer from the university to acquire the land for $14.6 million, we considered it and thought it was the best solution,” he said.
Mr Vatskalis said the council also followed through with the sale because it couldn’t afford to lose the deal.
“I’ve heard on the grapevine that other city deals hadn’t been signed yet, the last thing I need to do is lose a $350 million project in Darwin. There was no way we were going to do that.
“We (didn’t) want to lose the city deal because we couldn’t provide some assurance to all the partners of what’s happening.”
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Mr Vatskalis said the popular boab tree would be protected as a condition of the sale.
Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the quick sale would ensure the Territory bounced back strong after the coronavirus crisis.
“Getting major projects started as fast as possible allows for jobs to be created now, and for local businesses to be supported now,” he said.
“This is about getting our tradies out on the tools working on worthwhile, quality infrastructure.”
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A CDU spokeswoman said the land was being transferred sooner than originally planned to allow CDU to expedite the project and help the council refocus on other civic projects.
The $14.6 million will be spent on the maintenance of council facilities.
Originally published as Charles Darwin University to begin construction on CBD site this year after $14.6 million Cavenagh St carpark sale