Non-drinking venues open to discussing idea of pedestrian-only ‘Mitchell St Mall’

RESTAURANTS and businesses not regularly associated with Darwin’s nightlife economy are open to discussing how to best convert the Mitchell Street strip into a night-time, pedestrian-only mall

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RESTAURANTS and businesses not regularly associated with Darwin’s night-time economy are open to discussing how to best convert the Mitchell Street strip into a pedestrian-only mall.

While discussions are yet to officially begin among stakeholders, the concept would have Mitchell Street closed to cars for either special occasions or as frequently as Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

Oishi-Ya sushi train restaurant closes at 8.30pm each night but manager Okka Si said many of his clientele would finish their meal before heading to one of the strip’s bars.

Mr Si said converting the strip into a pedestrian-only zone during evenings would benefit business and bring more people through the doors.

“More people on the streets will bring more traffic through our doors,” he said.

“Safety wise it’d be pretty good but we don’t actually know how it will affect us until we start it.”

Mr Si said one hurdle could be how his staff left the strip at the end of their shift, with the only access to the Mitchell Centre carpark from Mitchell Street.

“Maybe they could give us a valid ticket so we can go in or out, otherwise it’d be pretty ridiculous,” he said.

Mitchell Street could become pedestrian only during certain hours or events. Picture: Che Chorley

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My Happy Kitchen manager Thi Nguyen said she didn’t know if it would change her business but thought reducing the amount of cars in the area could also stop people drink-driving home.

“I think it’s safer for some people because there are many drunk people, who after they drink, drive,” she said.

“That can be dangerous for pedestrians … I think it will improve safety.”

Darwin 24/7 convenience store owner Ali Waqar said while it could work, it needed to start on a trial basis.

“We should try for some nights and if it works we can go further,” he said.

“They should trial it for a month, two months, then ask businesses for feedback."

An NT News poll showed more than 80 per cent of voters wanted the strip turned into a pedestrian only mall, with a permanent closure the most popular option ahead of during busy times, from Thursday to Saturday evenings.

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NT Police Commander Matt Hollamby said police would engage if they were approached about the prospect of turning Mitchell Street into a mall but would not comment otherwise as it was a “council issue”.

“The council is a good partner and if a proposal is presented we anticipate the council will consult with the NT Police,” he said.