Dan Murphy’s to relocate proposed Darwin site to appease community concerns

DAN Murphy’s has opted to relocate the site of its proposed Darwin store, with hopes of reaching an outcome from their liquor application saga to best benefit the entire community

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DAN Murphy’s has opted to relocate the site of its proposed Darwin store, with hopes of reaching an outcome from their liquor application saga to best benefit the entire community.

It comes after the government tabled legislation this week to see all government applications answered within 30 days, which if carried would end the Dan Murphy’s saga before Christmas.

The new location, on Osgood Dr opposite the McMillans Rd and Sabine Rd intersection, will be 1.3km further away from the Bagot community next to Flip Out.

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Dan Murphy's are relocating their proposed Darwin store Darwin further down Osgood Drive to the green spot marked on the map above. Picture: Supplied

Endeavour Group general manager corporate services Shane Tremble told the NT News the new proposed site would be in the midst of an already developed area but would help address concerns from the nearby indigenous communities.

“The new site is further away from local indigenous communities and we believe the change will help to alleviate some of the key concerns,” he said.

“We have spent a lot of time having meaningful conversations with local communities to understand their views, listen to any concerns they may have and to address them.”

The site is still part of the planned Darwin Airport Retail Precinct.

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Endeavour Group has been working closely with the Elders and leaders of both the Minmarama and Kulaluk communities and have committed to a number of measures that we believe will mitigate the risk of alcohol related harm.

Both of these communities have expressed their support for the application to the company.

Mr Tremble said the company’s track record across the country showed it would operate a safe store and would work with the community to ensure it remained a safe one.

Endeavour Group has confirmed the Dan Murphy’s store proposed for the Osgood Dr/Bagot Rd intersection will be relocated 1.3km further away from at-risk communities.

“We have been and continue to engage with local communities to listen to and address any concerns they may have and incorporate them as part of our Responsible Service of Alcohol Management Plan,” he said.

“If approved, we are committed to continuing an open dialogue with the people of Darwin.”

The proposed Dan Murphy’s store would be what the retailer classifies as a ‘fine wine precinct’ which means half of the entire product range would be wine, with most falling into the premium category ($20 per bottle or more). The store would have a dedicated Fine Wine area, designed to showcase some of Australia’s and the world’s best wines.

If the store is approved, it could be trading within 12 months of the decision.

It is not yet known what the site change will mean for the Endeavour Group’s offer to fund a $6 million pedestrian and safety upgrade to the Bagot Rd and Osgood Dr intersection alongside its initial proposed site.

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The project would have added a pedestrian crossing with traffic lights and slip lanes to the intersection, which would have been funded by the Endeavour Group and Northern Territory Airports, in partnership with the Northern Territory government.

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