Tenders out to build Darwin’s first Dan Murphy’s store

IT has been three years in the making, but it looks like work will soon begin on the Darwin’s first Dan Murphy’s bottle shop

Dan Murphy’s first approached the then-CLP government about its plans to expand to the Northern Territory in 2015.

IT has been three years in the making, but it looks like work will soon begin on Darwin’s first Dan Murphy’s bottle shop.

NT Airports property director Ross Baynes said six local builders had been invited to submit non-binding tenders for the Bagot Rd project following an expression of interest process.

Dan Murphy’s first approached the then-CLP government about its plans to expand to the Northern Territory in 2015.

But those plans were put on hold when the incoming Labor Government put in place a 400 sqm restriction on Territory bottlos.

That restriction was repealed in November but the future of the Dan Murphy’s — and the $40 million development it was to be the anchor tenant for — was put on hold until the new Liquor Commission came on line.

That happened in March.

Mr Baynes said work could begin on the project as early as July, pending approvals.

But he stressed it was no sure thing. “It’s a vote of confidence in the project but it’s by no means a fait accompli,” he said. The development will create 125 jobs during construction and 35 permanent jobs.

The first stage of the development is expected to be worth $8 million.

“It’s all privately funded, it’s not subsidised by government in any way shape or form,” Mr Baynes said.

A fast food chain is expected to be in the first stage.

The NT News understands the Endeavour Drinks Group, which owns Dan Murphy’s, is preparing to lodge its application next week.

Endeavour Drinks Group corporate services general manager Shane Tremble said: “It is still our hope to bring a Dan Murphy’s to Darwin in answer to the overwhelming local community support our proposal has received.”

“We are currently working on our application to submit to the newly constituted Liquor Commission, which will mark the start of the process to consider the substitution of the current BWS store at Stuart Park to a new Dan Murphy’s located in the Darwin Airport Central retail precinct.”