NT Government rejects rezoning of The Gardens, sinking Makrylos Group’s $800 million Parklands project
THE NT Government has rejected a multi-stage, inner-city development at The Gardens that was tipped to pump more than $800 million in to the Territory’s economy
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THE NT Government has rejected a multi-stage, inner-city development at The Gardens that was tipped to pump more than $800 million in to the Territory’s economy.
Planning Minister Eva Lawler on Tuesday, just days away from the government going into caretaker mode, announced she would not approve the rezoning of 16 and 25 Blake St to allow for high and medium density residential development.
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First look at controversial The Gardens development
The 5.23 hectare site is where Territory developers the Makrylos Group had proposed to build their 13-stage Parklands development, a project that has been in the works since 2015 and would have created an estimated 1300 jobs.
The development, tweaked in early 2019 as per government recommendations, went through a Territory Planning Commission public hearing into its rezoning application in February this year and was awaiting a ministerial decision.
Ms Lawler said her decision, which was not made “lightly”, was based on three factors; the scale and density of the development, which does not fit with the existing character of The Gardens and therefore represents an overdevelopment of the site, the significance of the Botanic Gardens and how the development application has not given appropriate consideration to how it blends with the natural environment of this public space; and the lack of evidence the surrounding road network can accommodate the additional traffic the development would bring.
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The Makrylos Group, run by Darwin couple Michael Makrylos and Gina Panagopoulos, rejected Ms Lawler’s reasoning, saying they had been in consultation with the planning department to modify the development to suit the government’s guidelines and preferences.
“The three reasons that they have for refusing this development cannot be based on the
evidence provided before the commission,” Mr Makrylos said.
“We comply with all those provisions.
“We actually find this decision is politically inclined, it’s biased, its deliberate and dishonest strategy by the Gunner Government to put a stop to this development.”
The company will be reviewing the decision and seeking legal advice on next steps.
Ms Lawler said projects that bring economic value to the NT should “align with community expectations” and had instructed the planning commission to review the planning regime for the Darwin Inner Suburbs area.
“I have asked the Northern Territory Planning Commission to review the Darwin Inner Suburbs Area Plan that relates to this locality, in the context of my decision and to ensure the plan reflects current community values,” she said.
“The Planning Commission will commence the review process in the current financial year and will engage with the community in reviewing the plan.”
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The Parklands proposal includes 500sq m of public open space and recreation areas, would be built over 13 stages, have pedestrian and cycle path connections to the Botanic Gardens and businesses like cafes and restaurants on site, according to developers.
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