It’s been seven years since an apartment block was built in Darwin and builders want the drought to end

It’s been seven years since a new apartment block was built in Darwin’s central business district and builders are desperate to return to work. Read what they say.

Territory builders and developers say they are “embarrassed” by a lack of residential apartment construction in Darwin.

The NT News has spoken to a number of builders during recent weeks who say the Territory is a “national joke” because of its failure to support development of CBD apartment accommodation.

It has been seven years since a new residential apartment block was constructed in Darwin city and only a handful of new apartment blocks have been constructed in the suburbs.

Developers want the Territory government to provide certainty around how much extra accommodation will be needed for Charles Darwin University’s $250m CBD university campus.

The Territory government has said it is looking at existing infill and overseas developers to meet accommodation demand and a number of private residential apartments had been approved without construction work commencing.

Tomazos Group's Magnum building, the last residential apartment to be built in the Darwin central business district, was completed in 2017.

A leading NT builder with decades of experience who wished to remain anonymous said the residential construction sector lacked confidence it would get a return on investment.

He said he had taken calls from interstate builders and even bank managers asking when the Territory would build new blocks of flats.

“It’s becoming a running joke interstate,” he said.

“I’m taking calls from people in Adelaide and Melbourne who are actually laughing at what is happening here.

“They want to know if it’s government policy that’s stopping new developments. It’s unheard of for so little to be happening in an Australian capital city.”

Builders say the government is too focused on suburban residential developments at Northcrest and Holtze while ignoring the pressing needs for apartment developments in the city.

With the new campus expected to open next July, CDU has said it is not expecting the campus development to spark an immediate surge in student numbers in the city.

Charles Darwin University vice-chancellor Scott Bowman at the construction site for Charles Darwin University's new city campus. Picture: Amanda Parkinson

CDU vice-chancellor Scott Bowman said there was currently enough accommodation to meet student demand.

“At the moment there is accommodation available for students,” he said.

“As demand increases from students, then student accommodation developers will take notice.

“There has already been some interest and we will continue to talk to developers about opportunities in Darwin.”

Treasurer and former Infrastructure Minister Eva Lawler said the government was waiting for work to begin on a number of private developments.

“I’ve approved about four large developments in the CBD, areas like Chinatown, the Noodle House, The Esplanade,” she said.

“I’ve approved a number of multistorey apartment buildings that haven’t got moving yet.”

The government withdrew an expressions of interest process for residential student accommodation earlier this year and Ms Lawler said the university was focusing initially on homestay accommodation options while the government negotiated with prospective developers here and abroad.

“When I was in Singapore I spoke to companies who build student accommodation as well as worker accommodation to gauge their interest, and they were very interested,” she said.

“Centurion is a large company, a worldwide company, based in Singapore, that has been doing student accommodation in Sydney and they’re very interested.”

Originally published as It’s been seven years since an apartment block was built in Darwin and builders want the drought to end