Deputy opposition leader Gerard Maley slams NT government’s plans for shade

The opposition has written off the NT government’s plans to cool the city down as ‘complete disrespect for taxpayer money’.

The CLP has slammed the government’s decision to “waste” another $3m on “greening and cooling” the Darwin CBD in the midst of a “crime crisis”.

Deputy Opposition Leader Gerard Maley said Territory Labor’s plans to “revitalise” Smith St squandered money that would be better spent elsewhere.

“We know the Territory is in the middle of a crime crisis, we know that we’ve had at least five code yellows in the hospital over the last year,” he said.

“This money would be better spent on the hospital or reducing crime.”

Deputy Opposition Leader Gerard Maley says the money could be better spent. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

Mr Maley said the announcement indicated a “complete disrespect for taxpayer money”.

“Every time you think this Labor Government couldn’t possibly be more out of touch, they take it up a notch,” he said.

“The treasurer, Eva Lawler, has even rinsed and repeated her old lines trying to spruik that the cooling of the city would bring more visitors to Darwin.

“If Labor want more people to come to our city they need to take immediate action on crime, which every Territorian knows is the number one deterrent to tourists.”

Artists’ impression of the heavily criticised vine shade structure over Cavenagh Street in a previous cooling initiative. Picture: Supplied

Mr Maley said he would push for an expenditure review committee in parliamentary sittings.

“What we want make sure of is that any taxpayers money is spent on the benefit of all Territorians, and we say that we need to make sure the Territory becomes a safe place and a secure place,” he said.

“We want to see value for money, we want to see something that’s going to act in the best interest of Territorians.

“We need to focus on crime and health and education and all those frontline workers that have been doing it tough for such a long time.”

Budget funding to beautify Darwin CBD to tune of $3m

The Northern Territory government will spend $3m in the 2023 budget revitalising and beautifying a key Darwin street.

Treasurer Eva Lawler said the $3m would deliver the next stage of the Darwin CBD greening and cooling initiative which began with the so-far-unsuccessful covered shade shelter in Cavenagh Street.

Despite years of planning and expert horticultural advice, the $2.7m Cavenagh Street shelter is best-known for the lack of shade it provides shoppers and passers-by.

Undeterred, Budget 2023 will deliver $3m in additional upgrades along Smith Street between Knuckey and Whitfield streets.

It is expected to deliver increased shade trees, improved green spaces and better pedestrian access.

The streetscape revitalisation of Smith Street is part of the 10-year Darwin City Deal linking the federal and NT governments and the City of Darwin to transform the capital into a vibrant and liveable tropical city.

The Cavenagh Street shade shelter on Sunday still has a way to go.

The government believes the CBD upgrades will support a growing population and a diversified economy through the implementation of initiatives to revitalise, cool and green the city centre.

The government hopes continued urban greening and cooling strategies will mitigate heat in the CBD and increase public usage and pedestrian traffic.

The strategy involves decreased energy use and increased economic benefit by encouraging people to stay longer in retail, commercial and recreational areas.

Ms Lawler said the $3m allocation would continue to enhance Darwin for foot traffic.

“Smith Street is the heart of Darwin’s CBD,” she said.

“It’s where Territorians and tourists come to relax, shop and socialise.

Looking down Smith Street from Whitfield Street where the beautification works will take place.

“This is a project that will beautify and cool a key area of our CBD.”

A 2017 study identified Darwin’s CBD as a “heat island”, often with temperatures up to two to three degrees hotter than surrounding suburbs.

The study identified that car parks, roofs and streetscapes had surface temperatures above 60 degrees whereas the surface temperature of trees was 38 degrees.

Member for Port Darwin, Paul Kirby, said cooling Smith Street would contribute to making the CBD more liveable.

“Territorians have shown their love for our public art, green environments and infrastructure that complements a tropical lifestyle, which is exactly what this announcement will deliver,” he said.

“The constituents of Port Darwin, as well as all Territorians and visitors who head into the city daily, will benefit from this important budget announcement.”

Work on the beautification is expected to begin early next year and be completed in 2025.