Darwin Water Theme Park project scrapped by NT Government
The Gunner Government has pulled the plug on the development of its Darwin Water Theme Park project
Lifestyle
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The Gunner Government has pulled the plug on the development of its Darwin Water Theme Park project after receiving no suitable offers to build the facility.
The Government spent $500,000 in Budget 2017 for the feasibility study into the project and allocated an additional $1.725 million in 2018/19 to support the delivery of the project through a competitive process.
Seven formal submissions have been received to operate the park along with a number of other informal approaches from various groups expressing interest.
Late last year the Government said it was committed to the new multimillion-dollar international standard water theme park and moving to a structured engagement process to progress its development.
However those who have expressed interest in the project have been advised in a letter from the Department of Business, Trade and Innovation that “the NT Government was no longer actively pursuing the development of the Darwin Water Theme Park project.”
The NT Government has advised those that expressed an interest in its Darwin Water Theme Park project that:
“Following consideration of the expressions of interest, and the outcomes of the Structured Engagement Process, it is clear that proceeding with the project would not represent value for the Territory.
“Therefore, the NT Government is no longer actively pursuing the development of the Darwin Water Theme Park project.”
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Chief Minister Michael Gunner told estimates this week the expression of interest process had ended after none of the interested parties were willing to bear their own costs.
“At the final stages of that process there were people interested in the water park but not in a way that was acceptable to us as a government,” he said.
“The business case showed that it is possible to operate a commercial water park in Darwin if someone wants to.
“Unfortunately, the people putting forward the ideas for the water park were saying, ‘Yes, we want to run one, it is very exciting, thank you government for putting forward some land but can you cover all of our costs.’ — we said, ‘No, we are not going to do that’.”
When it was announced Mr Gunner said the Darwin water theme park was part of a comprehensive $100 million plan to revitalise Darwin CBD and make it a world-class tourism mecca, reflecting its status as the capital of northern Australia.
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He promised the water theme park would be a world-class tourist attraction that unlocks further private investment.
“My Government’s number priority is creating local jobs and facilitating exciting private sector projects like this water theme park will do that,” Mr Gunner said when announcing Stokes Hill Wharf precinct as the preferred site for the water park.
“Done well, an international standard water theme park will encourage tourists to visit the Territory and stay longer, as well as improve the liveability of Darwin for locals.”
It was mooted that the integrated water theme park development could include: Entertainment precincts; public open space; recreational activities; accommodation options; food and retail outlets; public walkways proving uninterrupted public foreshore access.
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