Darwin Port owner stops work on $200m luxury hotel, reviewing whether project should go ahead

LANDBRIDGE, the Chinese company at the centre of an attack by Federal Labor for having the lease of the Port of Darwin, has suspended any further work on its proposed $200m six-star luxury Westin hotel and is reviewing whether the project will now go ahead.

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LANDBRIDGE, the Chinese company at the centre of an attack by Federal Labor for having the lease of the Port of Darwin, has suspended any further work on its proposed $200m six-star luxury Westin hotel and is reviewing whether the project will now go ahead.

In response, the Gunner Government has pledged that if the project doesn’t go ahead, it will take back the land to progress the luxury hotel or another job-creating project.

Landbridge revealed yesterday that all works on the project have been suspended for 12 months and cast major doubt on its future, with the grim warning that the company won’t proceed if construction doesn’t resume by mid 2021.

The NT Government has committed $17m towards public infrastructure associated with the project, including the development of a Skywalk connecting the waterfront to the CBD.

The luxury hotel was expected to create hundreds of construction and tourism industry jobs and bring thousands of new tourists to our city.

An artist’s impression of the luxury Westin hotel planned for the Darwin Waterfront. Picture: Supplied

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A spokesman for Chief Minister Michael Gunner said coronavirus had impacted a lot of things and the planned luxury hotel was no exception.

“Landbridge has been given a 12-month extension while an assessment is made,” he said.

“If Landbridge’s project doesn’t go ahead, the government will take back the land to progress the luxury hotel or another job-creating project.”

A Landbridge spokesman said the company had agreed to a 12-month suspension “while we consider the feasibility of continuing with the hotel development”.

“Regrettably, COVID-19 and related economic impacts have fundamentally impacted the feasibility of the project,” the spokeswoman said.

“If we don’t resume work by end of June 2021 Landbridge will not continue with the project.”

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Master Builders NT chief executive David Malone said the decision was very disappointing news for the construction sector.

“We need the infrastructure and we need the work, but investors also need certainty around their investments,” Mr Malone said.

“It is going to be a real challenge attracting private sectors investment in these uncertain times.”