$500 million Darwin City Deal to transform our long neglected capital from dusty Outback outpost to cosmopolitan Asian city

THE $500 million Darwin City Deal will transform our long neglected capital from dusty Outback outpost to cosmopolitan Asian city

THE $500 million Darwin City Deal will transform our long neglected capital from dusty Outback outpost to cosmopolitan Asian city.

The NT News exclusively revealed on Friday that the Commonwealth Government would contribute $100 million to the long awaited project. The NT Government will chip in $100 million and private investment is expected to add $300 million.

Key elements of the deal include the construction of a new Charles Darwin University campus on Cavenagh St.

The campus will cater for up to 1100 students, many of whom are expected to come to Darwin from overseas.

Speaking at an event to mark the announcement, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the deal would see Darwin become a “leading light for other tropical cities around the world”.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison addresses the media at the Darwin Convention Centre on Friday following his announcement of the Darwin City Deal. Picture: Justin Kennedy

A vastly increased CBD student population would “increase the vibrancy of the city” which in turn would entice new Territorians to the Top End, he said.

He said the projects would mean a “great boost” for the flagging Darwin economy – not just through construction phase but long term.

“This is a deal that will make our economy stronger, this is a deal that will make the Territory stronger, and it’s a deal that will improve the living standard of people who live in Darwin,” he said.

The CSIRO will establish an “urban living lab” in Darwin which will investigate how to create functional, cool and green streetscapes, giving Darwin the opportunity the export that expertise to other tropical cities around the world.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the investment would bring Darwin closer to the rest of the world.

“We see Darwin as not near Asia, but in Asia,” he said.

“We see Darwin as a driver of the economic activity and we have a vision for Darwin to service our northern neighbours and the wider region.”

CDU vice-chancellor Simon Maddocks said relocating students to a city’s centre was a proven way to radically change an ailing CBD’s outlook.

“University students are generally young; they’re always very positive because they’re building their figures and it adds a very positive aspect to a city,” he said.

Prof Maddocks said limited opportunities for domestic student growth meant the university had to look overseas.

While Darwin’s climate and multicultural mix was right for many of the university’s target markets, shifting the campus to the city would help the city hit the right lifestyle mix too.

“These students come from high-density Asian capital cities; they’re used to living working and socialising in the same place and we need to replicate that,” he said.

Shifting the university’s business, law and creative arts faculties into the CBD would also have advantages for the remaining science and technology schools to grow at the Casuarina campus, Prof Maddocks said.

The deal comes at a time the Territory Government is desperately trying to stop the exodus of residents from the NT, driven out by a falling economy and perceived decline in the quality of living.

The Territory’s population is forecast to drop 0.7 per cent this year.

To arrest the outflow, the NT Government has introduced financial incentives of up to $15,000 to new families to call the NT home.