Darwin Council Acting Lord Mayor demands Government deliver on underground power promises

Darwin Council’s Acting Lord Mayor has called for the Territory Government to deliver on its long-awaited promise to underground Top End power.

UPDATE APR 28: A CITY of Darwin councillor has called for the Territory Government to deliver on its long-awaited promise to underground Top End power.

Acting Lord Mayor Sylvia Klonaris has requested a briefing from the Territory government to determine whether the pledge will be honoured.

In the wake of 2018’s Cyclone Marcus that left thousands of Top End residents without electricity, many of those for weeks, the Government promised to re-start the roll-out of underground power.

Domestic roll-out was expected to begin after Top End schools had their power converted underground - but so far not a single house has been connected to underground power.

The Government promised to spend $10m a year undergrounding power lines.

The NT government promised to underground power in Darwin in the wake of Cyclone Marcus, which left thousands of Territorians without power for weeks.

“I think it’s important we know what the Government is actually doing with its plan to underground power to our older suburbs,” Cr Klonaris said.

“This is something I’m asked about all the time. People want and deserve clarity on this issue. That’s why I am seeking a briefing on the Government’s undergrounding plans.

“Marcus highlighted just how vulnerable our above-ground power network is. I don’t want another event where people are without power for two weeks.

“The older suburbs with power poles are where so many of our old Darwin families live and have lived for decades.

“There are a lot of ageing and vulnerable people in these suburbs. Many have medical conditions which demand 24/7 access to electricity. Power outages put their lives at risk.

“If nothing else, the Government owes Darwin’s most vulnerable residents a clear explanation about when they can expect the certainty the comes with underground power.”

Infrastructure Minister Eva Lawler hinted an announcement could be made in next month’s Territory budget.

“We are looking into the budget to look at the next stage because the schools are resilient. There will be some announcements in the near future about that.”

Permission for lights approved in Top End

A POPULAR Top End golfing destination has got approval to switch on the lights for charity events and functions for another year.

It comes after the City of Darwin received three complaints about the brightness of lights in 2021.

This was rectified by dimming the lights.

Gardens Park Golf Links submitted their routine annual application to the council seeking permission to use solar led lights on the first hole has now been approved.

Managing director Rodger Dee said the club requested permission yearly to “do the right thing” by their landlord, which is the council.

The primary reason for the request is so the venue can light the course’s first hole for a few hours for charitable events like the Million Dollar Hole-In-One Competition.

“We run the lights for functions from May to February each year which includes charity events,” Mr Dee said.

“We just request every 12 months, we just do the right thing and ask them.”

The April 26 Council meeting agenda approved the request from Gardens Park Golf Links under the conditions the hours of use was no later than 9pm Monday to Saturday and the lighting was compliant to the requirements of obtrusive lighting standard.

Local Golfer Daniel Easton as DarwinÕs best shot to become a millionaire has returned for 2022, with Rotary Club of Darwin bringing back its ÔMillion Dollar Hole in OneÕ competition at Gardens Golf Links. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Mr Dee reminded his patrons that the Million Dollar Hole-In-One Competition was ramping up again on Wednesday night and invited everyone to join in, from 6pm to 9.15pm.

“Greening” of esplanade

THE Darwin Council has resolved to defer the “greening” of its Esplanade car park following concerns it could spell “disaster” for the city’s Anzac Day and Bombing of Darwin commemorations.

Council staff had recommended the deferral, partially due to the need to get heavy equipment onto the Esplanade for the events, with aldermen voting at Tuesday night’s meeting to continue consultations.

Speaking after the meeting, Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said there were potential solutions to the problems but further talks with the Australian Defence Force were required.

“We need hardstand, especially for the Bombing of Darwin, the Queen’s Birthday, when the army bring heavy equipment, heavy artillery,” he said.

“If we grass it, twice a year it’s going to be churned up and it’s going to be a disaster.”

The council staff also raised concerns the estimated $1.14m required to complete the works, along with $20,000 in annual maintenance, was yet to be allocated in the budget.

Anzac Day commemorations could be ‘a disaster’ if a greening project goes ahead. Picture: Tim Hunter

Mr Vatskalis said if the greening works were to go ahead, the money would have to be allocated from somewhere else.

“So we have to actually find the money, it’s easy to say ‘Oh let’s do it’, well what do you want me to cut? What things don’t you want to do?” he said.

“People want everything done and their little pet project as well, it doesn’t work like that, so we have to put the money into the budget to do it.”

According to the report to the council, the car park is “heavily utilised” and currently pulls in more than $100,000 a year in parking fees, raising concerns its loss would have a “likely detrimental impacts on businesses”.

But Mr Vatskalis said there were “plenty” of alternative parking spaces for city workers, with most of the Esplanade car park generally booked out for the year anyway.

“Actually, the Dragonfly carpark, is only 75 per cent to 80 per cent full, so there’s plenty of space if people want to park there,” he said.

The Day Dawn Service at the Darwin Cenotaph. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“And don’t forget you’ve got the big carpark now under Parliament House, so there’s plenty of parking.”

The greening project was approved at the previous council meeting by a vote of seven to four, to “support the transformation of the city centre into a greener, cooler, walkable city, while ensuring access and support for military and community events”.