City of Darwin budget 2024–25: Full list of council’s capital works to improve your city this year
Council has unveiled its draft municipal plan for next financial year. With oval upgrades, footpaths, memorials and a significant CBD project all on the cards, see the full list of where your rates are going.
Northern Territory
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The City of Darwin has unveiled a $140 million-plus budget as part of its 2024–25 draft Municipal Plan, with rates to rise 4 per cent.
Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said it was a “great pleasure” delivering a draft plan and budget he said would “deliver for all residents of Darwin”.
“We are very proud of our vibrant, thriving and inclusive city, and have worked hard to create a municipal plan that delivers for the community,” he said.
Mr Vatskalis said the rate rise of 4 per cent was below CPI and would equate to an increase of $1.35/week for the average residential property, or $1.65/week when combined with increases to the annual waste levy.
On-street carparking rates will rise slightly, by $0.20/hour in zone A spaces, and $0.05/hour in zones B and C.
Mr Vatskalis said his council had maintained an iron grip on spending to dampen the need to slug ratepayers, with only employee costs (up $1.975m) rising significantly since last year’s budget.
Total expenses have risen by 1.1 per cent, pushing the budget to $140.75m, a deficit of about $8.4m.
The council has allocated $61m towards its capital works program.
Headline items include $40m towards redeveloping the Civic Centre alongside a multistorey, 400-space carpark, $600,000 towards a “kinetic” Cyclone Tracy monument at Bundilla Beach that will move with the wind, and a new regional park within Waters Ward.
Other council infrastructure that will see upgrades in 2024–25 include Wagaman, Nightcliff, Bagot and Nakara ovals, Bagot Park and Jingili Water Gardens, George Park, Fong Park, Dorisvale Park, and Bayfield Park.
Although not included in the 2024–25 program, as the money has already been allocated, the council expects the new $26.8m Casuarina Aquatic and Leisure Centre to open in the coming months.
Other previously unveiled projects that will see significant headway in 2024–25 includes the revitalisation of Bundilla Beach with a new dog park, 3x3 basketball court, landscaping and barbecue tables and shelter, and the redevelopment of Chapel Lane.
A grant funding pool of $1.6m will be available for community organisations to deliver events.
The draft municipal plan is open for community feedback until May 23.
engage.darwin.nt.gov.au
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