Video: First look at $19.4m State Square car park

VIDEO: Darwin motorists will soon have access to the Territory’s first wholly underground public car park with work on the $19.4 million State Square car park almost complete

DARWIN motorists will soon have access to the Territory’s first wholly underground public car park with work on the $19.4 million State Square car park almost complete.

The project is expected to be open to the public around the end of this month.

The NT News was given a tour of the carpark to see just what taxpayers are getting for their $19 million.

Tomazos Group general manager, John Tomazos is confident users will be happy with the end result.

The car park, which doubles as a cyclone shelter, has room for 450 cars, and apart from the above average ceiling heights and generous size parking spaces, the new facility has lock up access for close to 30 bicycles, and recharging stations for electric cars.

From left, David Deville, Tony Gable and Tomazos Group general manager, John Tomazos in the almost-completed State Square car park. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Mr Tomazos said the prime consideration was to make the car park user friendly pointing to common complaints motorists have with car parks that are crammed and difficult to manoeuvre their cars in.

“Things like sense of space, lack of movement, free flowing options to exit … this car park addresses all that criteria,” he said.

“It’s larger, a little higher, spacious and internally motorists will notice the dual flow user friendly movement around the car park.”

The car park, which doubles as a cyclone shelter, has room for 450 cars. Picture: Gary Shipway

Energy conscious residents will be pleased to see the full bank of solar panels on the rook of the car park’s entrance and the use of sensor lights throughout.

Mr Tomazos said the entrance to the car park had changed to facilitate smooth traffic flow.

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The entry and exit gradient was changed to achieve the car park emptying in a 40 minute timeline and for the number plate recognition ticketing system to be able to read number plates.

Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Minister Eva Lawler said the design of the underground car park has been incorporated into the Civic and State Square Masterplan.

“The masterplan aims to revitalise and create cool, green spaces for the whole community to enjoy,” Ms lawler said.

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She said with the State Square underground car park nearing completion, preparations are underway for the start this year on a lush, cool garden above, which will include many trees. She said incorporating the green space above the car park into the Civic and State Square Masterplan was critical to ensuring the whole precinct has a seamless flow.