What you want: Poll reveals strong preference for Cairns Esplanade over Darwin’s

THE RESULTS are in. A poll of people who have visited both the Darwin and the Cairns esplanades have shared their thoughts on which one they prefer

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• More questions than answers over potential sacred site at Darwin Esplanade

THE Darwin Esplanade would follow the lead of Cairns, which is undergoing a $28m transformation, according to the results of a new poll.

An online poll of people who had been to both the Darwin and the Cairns esplanades attracted more than 220 voters and, of them, a clear majority – 68 per cent – thought the Cairns Esplanade was much nicer than Darwin’s, with just 21 per cent preferring Darwin and 11 per cent undecided.

Almost 70 per cent of voters in an online poll preferred the Cairns Esplanade to the Darwin Esplanade. Picture: Che Chorley

NT News reader Ocker said Darwin had a long way to go if it really wanted to deserve the title of the capital of Northern Australia, and a bustling esplanade was just the start.

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“What’s missing in much of Darwin is the tropical, shady vibe that Cairns does so well,” the commenter said.

“Let’s face it, most of the Darwin CBD remains a harsh concrete oven, with some suburbs also desperately needing to be greened.”

An online poll of people who had been to both the Darwin and the Cairns esplanades attracted more than 220 voters and, of them, a clear majority – 68 per cent – thought the Cairns Esplanade was much nicer than Darwin’s

However, turning that into reality may not be so easy.

“Emulating Cairns won’t work unless there are restaurants and cafes,” NT News reader Bill said.

“The NIMBYs here won’t have that.”

Others suggested while beautiful, Darwin Esplanade’s position atop a cliff meant could not be compared to Cairns’.

“Doesn’t Cairns esplanade have a boardwalk and beach access immediately accessible … and don’t we have cliffs?” NT News reader David commented.

An artist’s impression of a proposed Esplanade board walk which would sit below the Darwin Esplanade’s parkland and not affect the currently available green space

“The waterfront is/was the place for this and yes do something on our esplanade … but do something residents want … not what ‘could’ be something tourists want.”

But Darwin council has been looking at the idea of a boardwalk and Lameroo Baths concept which would sit below the Darwin Esplanade parkland and not affect the currently available green space.

The concept would link the Waterfront, Lameroo Beach and Doctors Gully via a boardwalk.

The boardwalk on the Cairns esplanade. Picture: Supplied

Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis has admitted the Top End should emulate the Cairns Esplanade.

“Cairns has done a very good job and Darwin can certainly pay attention to that and follow its lead,” Mr Vatskalis said.

However, NT News reader Redzee suggested Darwin should be making a name for itself. “Two different cities. Two different environments. Two different lifestyles. Two different attractions,” Redzee commented.

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Long-term plans for Darwin’s Esplanade remain unknown, with an application for a new RSL clubhouse on the Esplanade delayed by ­Darwin council.

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