NT Development Consent Authority has hundreds of millions of dollars worth of applications proposed for the Top End

HUNDREDS of millions of dollars could be poured into the Top End with a number of development proposals under consideration.

The artist impression of the Ibis Styles hotel to be built at Stuart Park on the Stuart Highway.

DARWIN’S billion-dollar building boom is shifting to the suburbs.

The NT Development Consent Authority has been handed proposals for major construction projects outside of the Darwin CBD, including a $100 million hotel at Stuart Park (pictured above) and a $200 million landmark development in Palmerston.

Casuarina Square’s owner, GPT, wants to add an extra storey to the complex for an entertainment and amusement centre, and a new restaurant.

And yesterday the Jape Group announced it would launch a $12 million overhaul and extension of its Millner Jape Homemaker Village.

An artist’s impression of the the next stage of the Jape Homemaker Village

Growing population expectations and an increasing tourism market are credited for the boom.

Northern Territory Property Council director Ruth Palmer said the projects were signs tourism-related activity would start to rise as the NT nears the end of the construction of the Ichthys LNG site.

“The confidence associated with projects in the Territory and similar projects already complete is likely due to the expectation that the NT’s population will continue to grow at a strong pace over the long term and long-term growth in the tourism sector,” Ms Palmer said. At the same time, more accommodation will bring supply to the market.

“Hopefully this will increase the number of tourists in the NT and spur further investment in the tourism sector,” Ms Palmer said.

The DCA is currently sitting on nearly $1 billion worth of proposals up for discussion.

One of those applications has been proposed by developers Paolo Randazzo and Peter La Pira with intentions to build a $200 million, 18-storey Boulevard Plaza complex in the empty lot opposite Bunnings Warehouse.

The application is up for public submission until today.

It proposes to transform the Palmerston CBD by providing street-level shops, a hotel, apartments and commercial space. Mr Randazzo said the plaza would increase options for tourists and provide accommodation for those who work in the city.

“A mixed-use development such as this will activate the heart of the city, making it an attractive place to live, shop, walk around and eat out,” Mr Randazzo said. “We have a vision for a landmark, quality project that will support the rapid growth of Palmerston and the rural area, Defence activities, oil and gas, the new hospital as well as increased commercial activity.”

Meanwhile, Casuarina Square could soon be home to a video games and amusement centre, as well as a new restaurant. An application to the DCA reveals that the GPI group, who own Casuarina Square, hopes to build an extra floor that would replace the rooftop carpark next to the movie theatre.

Centre manager Dean Young said the new features were in line with its long-term master plan for the Square, but also remained subject to internal approvals and reaching development milestones.

On the Stuart Highway, a $96 million, six-storey motel with three ground-level office tenancies has been proposed to be built at the site where the old Sexyland shop is.

The motel would provide 62 rooms.

In the proposal, Northern Planning Consultants principal Brad Cunningham said there was a demand in the area for accommodation that had not been met.

“A significant improvement in the amenity of built form, and increase in streetscape activation, are also positive,” the proposal read.

While it’s a plus for the restricted accommodation scene in Darwin, the proponent is seeking to build above the height limitations that are stipulated by the Northern Territory Planning Scheme.

Changes to that scheme are expected to be announced in the near future.

The proposal is open for public submission until Friday.

Ms Palmer said that the property sector had started 2015 far more confident than the broader business community – buoyed by robust market sales and further price growth, as well as a solid pipeline of construction.