NT Property Council’s 5-point plan to a better City

A SOLUTION-based approach to problems is the key to success, writes RUTH PALMER of the Property Council NT

A SOLUTION-BASED approach to problems is the key to success, writes RUTH PALMER

A SOLUTION-BASED approach to problems is the key to success.

We are always looking at ways where we can offer solutions and recommendations to government and council to issues that we face in the property industry.

We pride ourselves on being a key voice in the property industry and we take the Territory, and the issues at hand, seriously.

Our members are long-term Territorians, who have long-term views and vision.

We want strategic growth and we want a well performing city to bolster our sector.

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It is no secret that Darwin is currently facing significant economic challenges following the winding down of the Ichthys Inpex construction phase and the decline of the mining sector.

We’ve all heard it, we’ve all seen it, and we have all first-hand felt it.

CBD office vacancies have risen once again and for three consecutive years now have been the highest in the nation with the lowest demand.

City retailers face stiff competition from expanding suburban centres, and the growth in the CBD residential population is slowing.

However, it is in such times where the opportunities and drive for change can be the greatest.

We today have released our Key Advocacy Platform — “The Key to a Better City” that sets out initiatives to help overcome economic challenges and trigger renewed focus on Darwin CBD as the engine room for economic growth of the NT.

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It outlines the challenges, recommendations, actions and solutions to deliver a thriving CBD which is crucial for wider economic confidence, retaining talent, community pride and vitality.

It is time to bed down what Darwin stands for and project it to the world. It is time to ensure that Darwin has all the essential ingredients of a great city and a plan deliver for them.

Our extensive five-point plan for prosperity, jobs and strong communities is laid out very clearly in our 20-page platform document and it has achievable goals that both the Northern Territory Government and the City of Darwin can adapt.

• Postcode 0800
• Darwin CBD Shopping-Town
• Brand Darwin CBD
• A Shared City Agenda
• Plan Darwin

While we believe all these must be considered, a major focus has to be on Postcode 0800 — we need to make the residential densification of the CBD a key government priority, barriers must be removed, and the right incentives provided.

We need to cultivate existing neighbourhoods as the desirable places to live, work and play and we must ensure that Darwin reflects its identity through beautiful streets, buildings and precincts.

The Property Council of Australia is committed to driving discussion on a range of matters to ensure the CBD is thriving for the benefit of its residents, visitors, traders and property owners.

This thought piece presents ideas rather than fixed solutions. There is no silver bullet.

What is clear is that a unified vision and approach is essential if we are to position the city for its future.

Darwin is at a crossroads. After a historic residential, commercial, retail and industrial construction boom, our city is under pressure.

Despite a rush of major projects and development, there is an overwhelming sense that there is something of a vacuum, with no clear vision or focus on how the city should move forward.

Darwin City is the heartbeat of the Territory.

It is the engine room that needs to fire on all cylinders.

We can make this happen with the right policy and regulatory changes.

Our initiatives and ideas can be tailored across all our cities in the Territory.

There is no reason why these can’t be adopted in Alice Springs, Katherine, Palmerston etc.

This month we will also release the second stage to this thought piece with our 20 by 20 reform document.

Our suite of ideas and reforms are achievable and are short to medium term measures that will go a long way in boosting certainty, creating a better city, driving innovation and change and most importantly, making sure the Territory remains the best place to live, work and play!

Ruth Palmer is Executive Director of the Property Council NT