Darwin Council had ‘no concerns’ about controversial Throb project at East Point, Lord Mayor says

A CONTROVERSIAL ‘sunset lounge’ proposed at East Point faced no hurdles when it reached the City of Darwin Council, according to Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis.

Drone shots from East Point of Dudley Point, looking back towards Darwin city. Dudley Point is the proposed site of the new Throb on Point venture by iconic Darwin night club, Throb. Picture: Will Zwar

• Community groups hit back at Throb venue proposal for East Point Reserve
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A CONTROVERSIAL “sunset lounge” proposed at East Point faced no hurdles when it reached the City of Darwin Council, according to Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis.

But the temporary permit granted to nightclub mogul Tim Palmer to use the green space at East Point is “in principle” and hinges on the business getting all the relevant approvals.

This includes liquor licensing and getting approval from the Development Consent Authority to alter the zoning of the space to allow the “family-friendly” sunset lounge built out of dongas to be set up and operate.

Both applications could require public notification periods of 28 days each.

The temporary permit expires on October 31.

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A concept image for Throb on Point. Picture: Supplied

The venue, dubbed Throb on Point, has been proposed by Mr Palmer as a seven-day-a-week pop-up space during the Dry that will feature music until 4am only on Friday and Saturday.

The proposal has already faced significant backlash from community groups, including the Fannie Bay Equestrian Club.

The Property Council NT has also raised concerns about the project.

Mr Palmer said the idea was borne out of coronavirus shutdowns and the proposal was put to the council about a fortnight ago.

A concept image for Throb on Point. Picture: Supplied

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In a confidential meeting on May 12 the council granted Mr Palmer a temporary land use permit.

“They had an idea and they came with this idea, everybody else sits there waiting for things to happen,” Mr Vatskalis said.

“These people are making things happen. It might not be the right application, it might not get the approvals, it might not happen.

“There wasn’t any (concerns). The aldermen said somebody has come here with an idea, we’ll consider this idea subject to obtaining all the necessary legislative requirements and all the necessary approvals.”