Darwin Convention Centre upgrade and what else we can expect in Budget 2024

A major upgrade to Darwin Convention Centre is one of 25 cash splash announcements made ahead of Budget day. Here’s what else to expect from NT Budget 2024.

Fia Walsh

@fiawalsh

2 min read

May 14, 2024 - 11:43AM

NT Budget 2024 will invest more than $19m to upgrade Darwin Convention Centre.

Northern Territory

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Darwin Convention Centre will receive a major upgrade under a $19.2m plan to expand the events venue.

The investment, to be pledged in the 2024 NT Budget being handed down Tuesday, will increase the capacity of the centre by 4350 seats to a total of 5550 seats.

The upgrades hope to allow Darwin to host more major events, including those that have seating requirements beyond the current capacity.

Upgrades to the 2008 build will also include public amenities, and audio and visual equipment.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler said the investment would be great for tourism and would strengthen the appeal of the Darwin Waterfront.

“Tourism and major events are key pillars of the Territory’s economy – and that’s why my government is backing projects that support growth in these industries,” Ms Lawler said.

“We’re boosting the capacity of the Darwin Convention Centre because we need the facilities to be able to bring bigger and better events to the Territory, because that means more work opportunities for Territorians.

“The $19.2m investment into expanding the Darwin Convention Centre will deliver flow on benefits far and wide.”

Tourism is expected to receive $68m in the budget. Budget 2024 also includes $41m for NT Major Events, up $4m from last year.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler will hand down the 2024-25 NT Budget on May 14, 2024. Picture: Mitch Drescher.

Here’s what we know so far about Budget 2024:

PUBLIC ORDER AND SAFETY

An extra $90m per year for police, bringing NT Police’s operating budget to $561m, up from $472m last year. This falls under a commitment of $570m over five years
$34m for infrastructure upgrades at Alice Springs Correctional Centre
$57m for two new women’s prisons
$34m to repurpose Don Dale for adult male inmates
A combined investment from the Mid-Year Budget of $35.2m to support 50 new custodial staff, 40 new support staff, and increased rehabilitation programs and reintegration support
$5.4m for private security patrols, up $1.1m from last year

COST OF LIVING

$3m to extend rental subsidy scheme for key workers and low income earners
$3m to continue the Home and Business Battery Scheme (HBBS)
$3.1m to continue the Remote Power System Strategy rollout

EDUCATION

$890m in total, including an additional $100m from last year
$1.34bn for education split 60-40 between Territory and federal governments from 2025-2029, bringing NT public schools up to full funding standards for the first time
$2m to conduct assessments, consultations and planning for new Palmerston schools

HEALTH

$2.2bn for health, up $200m from last year

LIFESTYLE

$1.65m into building a permanent track for the FIM Motocross World Championship at Hidden Valley
$3m investment into the wider Hidden Valley Masterplan implementation
$3m redeveloping the Tracy Village Sport Precinct
$41m for Northern Territory Major Events Company
$68m for tourism, which includes $6m more funding than last year. The $6m boost includes $3m to encourage more international visitors to the Territory, and $3m for the Territory Aviation Attraction Scheme.
$20.66m for digital IDs

HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT