Discussions underway over how to improve CBD safety ramped up following of Six Tanks Brew Co. incident

SECTIONING off the Mitchell St strip could add greater economic value to the area and improve safety for nightclub patrons, following weekend incident

SECTIONING off the Mitchell St strip into a night-time pedestrian-only precinct could add greater economic value to the area and improve safety for nightclub patrons.

Discussions over how to improve CBD safety ramped up this week after a car ploughed into the front of Six Tanks Brew Co. on Sunday morning.

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Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said council would look at making the precinct safer but thought it wouldn’t work as a permanent measure.

“I don’t see it’s a good idea to close it permanently but there are ways of closing it temporarily late at night,” he said.

Mitchell St, Darwin CBD. Discussion are underway on how to make the area safer. Picture: Che Chorley

“In other places they have bollards coming out of the ground, sticking up so traffic cannot go through.

“We’ll be looking very closely at that.”

Alderman Mick Palmer said he had long advocated for a temporary mall being set up using plant boxes as bollards, which could be moved into the road, suggesting it could bring other avenues of activation.

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“Of course it would have to happen in co-operation with the traders, they have to support it.

“But there might be the opportunity for markets and night markets,” he said.

“I had even suggested setting up half-court basketball matches to activate it even more.

“I’m not opposed to making it pedestrians-only, but it needs to be done an a temporary basis.”