Northern Territory Art Gallery contract awarded in $145m precinct redevelopment
Construction on a multimillion-dollar new art gallery in Darwin city is set to start after a Top End company was awarded the contract. See the plans.
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A multimillion-dollar contract has been awarded to build a new art gallery in the Darwin CBD.
Top End company Sitzler is set to start building the Northern Territory Art Gallery, which will later be given a dual Aboriginal title.
The centrepiece building forms part of a $145m transformation of the city’s Civic and State Square, between the Esplanade and Bennet St.
Sitzler’s $88m contract also includes construction of the precinct’s ‘Central Heart’, a shaded space for community events, as well as a tropical tree walk along Smith Street and forecourts to Parliament House and Supreme Court.
Works already complete in the area include an underground carpark and landscaping of the former 90-bay car park.
The Chan Building was demolished more than two years ago to make way for the precinct’s redevelopment.
Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Minister Eva Lawler said the precinct, the masterplan for which was released in 2019, would create a “vibrant new heart for the city.”
“(The Civic and State Square) will attract locals, visitors, artists and businesses and provide an enhanced pedestrian link between the Darwin CBD and the Waterfront,” Ms Lawler said.
“The economic benefits of this investment will not only support an estimated 322 jobs in the construction phase but will also help to achieve our goal of a $40bn economy.”
Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Chansey Paech said the new gallery would deliver social and cultural benefits.
“The new Northern Territory Art Gallery will provide space for exhibition that the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory does not currently have and will allow us to share more of our immense collection and touring exhibitions.”
The NT government has not released a construction timeline, however works on the new gallery are due to start this year.
Consultation with Indigenous groups and stakeholders will go ahead to determine an appropriate Aboriginal name for the building.
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