Woolworths to improve engagement following decision to scrap Darwin Dan Murphy’s superstore

The future development of a Dan Murphy’s in the Territory now rests with drinks retailer company Endeavour Drinks to pursue, after Woolworths scrapped its Darwin superstore in a shock announcement this morning.

THE future development of a Dan Murphy’s in the Northern Territory now likely rests with drinks retailer compnay Endeavour Drinks to pursue, after Woolworths pulled out of the development in a shock announcement this morning.

Woolworths Group chief executive Brad Banducci said he wasn’t disappointed in the outcome, and was glad Woolworths had pursued the review but a future in Darwin now rested with Endeavour Drinks.

The future development of a Dan Murphy’s in the Territory now rests with drinks retailer company Endeavour Drinks to pursue

“It’s not like we closed a store or anything like that. We thought it’s the right moment to reflect and learn and make adjustments and go forward,” he said.

“I’m not disappointed at all, I’m glad we’ve done what we’ve done.

“It would be up to (the Endeavour team) to reflect on that and see how we adjust our plans.”

Mr Banducci said the company would take leanings of how to deliver outcomes, like a Dan Murphy’s to the benefit of the entire community.

“It is worth observing that there is strong support among many, many consumers in the NT for a Dan Murphy’s. We do know that our customers do want one but we need to learn in a more responsible engaging and thoughtful manner,” he said.

“We do want, across all of our stores, to more create a more responsible drinking culture in Australia, to help people drink better.”

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the Territory wouldn’t run dry as a result of the decision and respected Woolworths’ outcome.

“We realise that there are passionate views for and against this project. The Government’s role was to provide certainty which we did,” he said.

“We have dealt with all the historical applications now.

“Despite Woolworths’ decision people remain able to enjoy a drink responsibly in the Darwin and Palmerston area and enjoy choice.

“There are several hundred licensed liquor outlets across the region.”

Royal Australasian College of Physicians president John Wilson said he was pleased the report had been heard and responded to appropriately.

“We welcome the news this morning that plans for a liquor megastore in the Northern Territory have been axed,” he said.

“This news comes as a relief to specialist physicians who have been seriously concerned about the impacts of building a liquor megastore and the harms that it would bring to the community.”

An Airport Development Group (ADG) spokeswoman said they would look at how their proposed business park would go forward without Dan Murphy’s as the centrepiece.

“(ADG) has this morning been advised that the Woolworths Group will not proceed with the Darwin Dan Murphy’s development,” she said.

“ADG continues to work with partners to develop our 60 hectare master planned, mixed use Business Park, Darwin Airport Central.”

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