Kon Vatskalis could hold the key to resolving expected student housing shortage

With plans to build student housing in Frog Hollow stonewalled, developers are looking at alternative CBD sites.

A major investor is working with the City of Darwin to develop student accommodation options in the central business district.

Sentinel Property Group has held talks with Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis in its search for locations to develop student accommodation.

A number of CBD carparks have emerged as potential locations for development, including one at the corner of Mitchell and Daly streets.

Sentinel Property Group chief executive Warren Ebert said discussions with Mr Vatskalis for alternative locations for student housing had been productive.

“The Lord Mayor sees there’s a challenge and an opportunity and we’re working with City of Darwin to find alternative locations for accommodation,” Mr Ebert said.

Sentinel Property Group chief executive Warren Ebert.

Mr Vatskalis said there was a “recognised” need for more student accommodation in Darwin.

“Demand for student accommodation is only going to grow, with CDU expecting at least 4000 additional overseas students in coming years,” he said.

“We support the development of additional housing in the city for students and essential workers and will consider any reasonable proposals put to us.”

A recent Property Council study identified on average, an overseas student living in PRSA spends $4400 a month, not including tuition. mostly in central business districts.

With an additional 4000 international students in Darwin, that would mean an injection of an additional $17.6m a month into the CBD.

Sentinel’s plan to develop student accommodation near the old Darwin Primary School in Frog Hollow were revealed in February.

The plan included a number of purpose-built student accommodation blocks and provision for disability accommodation.

A concept design of Sentinel’s student and disability housing project for Darwin’s CBD at Frog Hollow.

Planning and Logistics Minister Eva Lawler said the government was still developing plans for the Frog Hollow site.

Mr Ebert said government plans to grow student numbers in the NT to 10,000 at a time also required a substantial increase in housing stock.

“Without more accommodation it’s holding everything back,” he said.

“It’s no secret the Charles Darwin University campus in the CBD will be finished in 2024 but as far as I know there is no purpose-built student accommodation there.

Darwin Primary School was built in 1952, and last hosted classes in 1980.

“The only purpose built student accommodation in all of the NT is the 300 rooms at Casuarina Square, so it’s critical we get more student accommodation., not just build-to-rent but affordable accommodation.

“We’re certainly working on that with government and City of Darwin to see how we can get that going.

“It’s not something that we do, but nobody else is doing it and if we don’t have it then Darwin can’t grow because there’s nowhere for people to live.”

Sentinel has developed a modular housing model that will slash construction times and the required workforce.

Ms Lawler said the future use of the Frog’s Hollow site was “yet to be determined”.

“The Northern Territory government will consider the longer term usage for the Frog Hollow site in the future,” she said.

The site had previously been used as a worker camp when the commonwealth had jurisdiction over the NT.

The site hosts the old Darwin primary school, which was built in 1952 and last had classes in 1980.

It was most recently an arts precinct but has been vacant for a number of years pending asbestos remediation.