Greenery, accessibility part of plans for a revitalised Cullen Bay

CULLEN Bay is getting a $10 million facelift with plans for more greenery and a flowthrough walkway

Artist's impression of redevelopment at Cullen Bay. Picture: Supplied

CULLEN Bay is getting a $10 million facelift with plans for more greenery and a flowthrough walkway to help bring customers and more businesses to the precinct.

Member for Port Darwin, Paul Kirby addresses the media. PICTURE: JUSTIN KENNEDY

Member for Port Darwin Paul Kirby said the project would be funded from the NT Government as part of the Darwin City Deal.

Mr Kirby said it would help revitalise the precinct, which has been ignored for almost 30 years.

“The initial stages will involve greening from (the Marina), a walkway from the Terminal right through to the promenade from this side up over the beach (and) some shaded areas for some families to be able to sit and enjoy,” he said.

“It’s a shared space, a shared walkway so families know they can enjoy both sides of the road and children can move around safely within the precinct as well.”

The project would see also the footpath levelled out with the road to create an easier transition for pedestrians moving between the marina and beach sides of Marina Blvd, and would extend up to the beach lawns.

Boatshed Coffee House owner John Bonnin said the project would help revitalise Cullen Bay and make it a Darwin destination.

“It will attract and it will give credibility to bring more stakeholders in, it’ll give tourists an understanding of what Darwin really is,” he said.

“It will give locals an opportunity provided we solve connectivity issue and that could be Territory Wildlife Park style transport system between the wharf the city and (Cullen) Bay.”

Mr Bonnin said events such as the Vibes in the Bay and Laneway series that had come to Cullen Bay had shown the area’s potential to become a Darwin hotspot.

“We were a bit surprised by the success of their attendance to be honest, I think it shows getting together and doing something … is a very important part of getting Darwin back together again,” he said.

“I’m feeling optimistic about the future of Darwin. I haven’t been able to say that for a decade.”