Water Theme Tourist park feasibility study key to new projects

The chair of the Darwin Major Business groups called on the NT Government to release the feasibility study that was undertaken into a proposed Darwin Water Theme park

NT Airports chief executive Ian Kew speaks to the crowd during Wednesday's grand opening of the third and final stage of the Solar Parking project.

The chair of the Darwin Major Business group, Mr Ian Kew, has called on the NT Government to release the feasibility study that was undertaken into a proposed water theme tourist park at the Darwin Waterfront Precinct.

The Government spent $500,000 in the 2017 Budget for the feasibility study into the project and allocated an extra $1.725 million in 2018/19 to support the project’s delivery.

Mr Kew said it was disappointing that the Government had scrapped the proposed water park.

“It’s disappointing because it was one of the suggestions put up by the Major Business group to increase tourism infrastructure, giving visitors something more to do when the come to Darwin,” said Mr Kew, who is also Airports NT boss.

“There hasn’t been much built in a very long time and there is nothing on the horizon.

“I would like the NT Government to release the feasibility study. Others might find some stuff in either that could be useful to them. There are other local proponents who have water park ideas.

AMAZING HEADPHONES OFFER

CLICK here for full offer details

“The Government should have a good report that will give insights into what market opportunities were found.

“The key thing we put to the NT Government more than two years ago was they needed to build tourism infrastructure that attract visitors and would create construction jobs at the end of Inpex and we haven’t got either.

“Tourism still needs a major infrastructure project that brings tourists and jobs.”

Mayor Kon Vatskalis agrees.

“Let the private sector now come forward with some more proposals for government,” he said. “Council has had in the past some proposals for a surf park and I would like the proponents to come back to council and talk to us about it.

IN OTHER NEWS

Department of Trade, Business and Innovation’s Director, Strategic Infrastructure and Projects Jason Robertson said the Government is willing to engage and share information, including the detailed business case, developed as part of the water park process with interested parties should they wish to pursue the development of a water-based attraction in the Darwin region. The NT Government will remain open to considering proposals from the private sector under existing government policies.”