Sneak pictures at the State Square overhaul

EXCLUSIVE FIRST IMAGES: Space for events for up to 7000 people. A billabong garden. A cafe. An art gallery. And a Build up busting interactive water-feature. All part of the Civic and State Square masterplan launched today. CHECK IT OUT.

Plans for the Civic and State Square masterplan have today been released, mapping out how Darwin will be revitalised to try and make it a greater tourism and cultural destination.

The State Square overhaul is a part of the historic $200 million City Deal, delivered in partnership with the Australian Government and City of Darwin.

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Chief Minister Michael Gunner launched the Civic and State Square masterplan, this morning. Image is an artist’s impression.

Key features of the Masterplan include

■ Large, shaded lawns creating added space for concerts and events up to 7000 people;

■ A signature art gallery featuring a “grand veranda” will be located next to the central heart, showcasing the Territory’s art collections, significant national and international travelling exhibitions, further activating the cultural space.

■ A central heart featuring a large sculptural shade structure inspired by the vortex of a cyclone pattern;

■ A billabong garden adjacent to the proposed art gallery site, with plants from the Top End;

Chief Minister Michael Gunner has this morning launched the Civic and State Square Masterplan, which is a major part of the Darwin City Deal

■ A cafe space, with room for displays, pop-ups and stalls;

■ An extensive, interactive water-feature drawing crowds through the theatre of water play, and a chance to cool down, with playful seating reminiscent of the unfurling of cycad and fern fronds of the tropical north;

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■ At night-time, an atmospheric starlike lighting reminiscent of the Top End’s big night skies;

■ A playful water wall when illuminated becomes a canvas for interpreting Darwin and the Territory’s living history;

■ Pedestrian focused tropical walks and generous sheltered walkways throughout; and

■ Shaded and sculptural gardens across key infrastructure including white trunked eucalypts, Sand palms and cycads, as well as porcellanite stone providing a backdrop for Aboriginal sculptural works and Territory artists.

An artist’s impression overview of the total redevelopment.

The changes will be made in stages, with work set to start this year on a garden above the State Square underground car park that is nearing completion.

Community feedback on how the new spaces can be used is invited through the exhibition at the Activate Darwin Hub in the Smith St mall.

The redevelopment of Civic and State Square is a partnership between the NT Government and the City of Darwin.

A Charles Darwin University campus and student accommodation in the CBD — bringing in around 1000 students to the city centre is also part of the City Deal.

Lord Mayor Kon Kon Vatskalis has been in office for two years. Picture: KERI MEGELUS

Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said the release of the plan marked the beginning of the transformation of Darwin.

“Darwin will be the place to be, the place to live, the place to visit — a true capital of the NT,” he said.

“We’ve seen a lot of plans, we’ve had a lot of talking about it. Now we’re starting, and that’s the exciting part.

“It will not be the same ever again, Darwin will be something that everyone will be envious of.”

Planning Minister Eva Lawler said one of the first stages of the masterplan would be to build a garden on top of the underground carpark.

“We’re getting rid of four hot carparks, putting in 450 carparking spaces outside Parliament House,” she said.

“The sculpture garden will start in the last quarter this year — following that will be the demolition of the Chan Building, that has been an eyesore.”

Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner is a fan of the project. (AAP Image/Lucy Hughes Jones)

Chief Minister Micheal Gunner said it was an exciting project and would enliven the Darwin CBD.

He expected the entire project to be complete in the next couple of years.

“It takes a bit of time for trees to grow, but we are looking at over the next couple of years for this to be done,” he said.

Mr Gunner said $65 million had been earmarked for the redevelopment. “$15 million for the Civic Park State Square works, $50 million for the art gallery and $1.5 million for the demolition of the Chan,” he said.