Darwin ‘should follow Cairns’ lead’ on its Esplanade: Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis

WHILE debate rages in Darwin over its Esplanade, another similar, tropical, far northern Australian city has used the COVID-19 drop in tourism numbers to launch a $28 million overhaul of its own, very similar precinct

DARWIN’S Lord Mayor has admitted we should follow Cairns’ lead as the tropical city splashes $28 million on a fine dining precinct along its Esplanade.

The new precinct in the north Queensland city of 150,000 — similarly sized to Darwin — was accelerated to minimise disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic and bolster the city once tourists return.

Part of the existing Cairns Esplanade (above) and the Darwin Esplanade (below). The similarities are obvious, but the differences are also striking. Cairns is currently ploughing another $28 million into a fine dining precinct along its Esplanade

Darwin's Esplanade.Picture: Che Chorley

Cairns’ version has been so successful that Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis has admitted the Top End should emulate it, as debate rages over a controversial new RSL along our Esplanade.

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

“Darwin is beautifully positioned on a peninsular and doesn’t take enough opportunity of admiring its harbour and foreshore,” he said.

Mr Vatskalis said more waterfront dining was a must to take advantage of Darwin’s location.

Concept art (above and below) provides a look at how the new $28 million Cairns Esplanade dining precinct redevelopment will look once completed. Picture: Supplied

New concept art gives a closer look at how the $28 million Cairns Esplanade dining precinct redevelopment will look once completed. PICTURE: SUPPLIED

New concept art gives a closer look at how the $28 million Cairns Esplanade dining precinct redevelopment will look once completed. PICTURE: SUPPLIED

He said Darwin council had spent $3.7 million over five years on the Esplanade and another $3.9 million on Bicentennial Park.

“We need to do more, which is why City of Darwin is pursuing the Lameroo Beach and Baths below the Esplanade in Darwin City.”

The Cairns Esplanade is the product of decades of work between various local bodies, according to Cairns mayor Bob Manning.

View of Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, a large public pool next to the beach in Cairns, Queensland, Australia.

Scenes from the existing Cairns Esplanade (above two photos) and the Darwin Esplanade (below two photos). The similarities are obvious, but the differences are also striking. Cairns is currently ploughing another $28 million into a fine dining precinct along its Esplanade

Darwin's Esplanade including the site of the proposed Darwin RSL development and Deckchair Cinema.Picture: Che Chorley

Darwin's Esplanade.Picture: Che Chorley

“There’s a lot of money invested in the Esplanade,” Cr Manning said.

“We tried not to overload it too much, too much of a good thing kills it,” Cr Manning said.

“We have a fairly narrow Esplanade, but it’s wide enough that we have a boardwalk attached to that.”

“It also has bike paths and it also has exercise areas,” he said.

Cr Manning said there had never been strong local objection to dining along Cairns’ waterfront.