Darwin RSL relocation: Plan to rebuild site on The Esplanade near Cenotaph
THE Darwin RSL has a plan to rebuild its venue on the Esplanade, it can be revealed.
Northern Territory
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THE Darwin RSL has a plan to rebuild its venue on the Esplanade, it can be revealed.
It is understood the Darwin RSL will relocate to the carpark with support of Darwin council once their insurance claims are finalised.
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Details of the plan have yet to be revealed publicly but they are expected to be revealed within weeks.
The Deckchair Cinema said if the development goes ahead it will impact on their operations.
“Deckchair Cinema, one of Darwin’s most iconic and loved attractions, is under threat,” Darwin Film Society chair Jeff Coulter said in a letter to members.
“Having carefully considered the proposal, it is clear that the development would cause ongoing severe noise disruption to the cinema.
“Showing movies without noise disruption is crucial to the cinema and it is likely that the Deckchair Cinema will no longer be able to operate if the development proceeds.”
The proposed development will only be 90 meters from the Deckchair Cinema screen in a direct line of sight for customers when watching a film.
The Darwin Film Society will table a letter to council at next week’s meeting.
Darwin resident Geoff Hunter said the plan was a disgraceful situation.
“The Bicentennial Park along the Esplanade is the Crown Jewel of Darwin City and is a place where tourists and locals can relax, walk or exercise with free access from Doctors Gully to the Waterfront,” he said.
“The resiting of the RSL, where the main daily pursuit is playing poker machines, onto the
Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce said plans for an Esplanade venue could help the Territory economy, with an organisaiton such as the RSL deserving of such an esteemed location.
“Given Darwin’s long and continuing history of defence of this nation, our service personnel past and serving deserve a top class RSL in a top shelf location, following all proper processes,” he said.
Esplanade must be resisted as it will restrict free access along the park for the next 50 years.”
Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said council had not received an official proposal from the RSL.
“When it comes it will have to go through proper assessment and come to full council,” he said.
But the idea of an Esplanade venue isn’t new for the lord mayor.
“With the Government putting in the underground carpark, our own carpark at the Cenotaph becomes defunct,” he said halfway through his tenure in 2018.
“That’s council land and I want to see that developed into a restaurant overlooking the ocean.”
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Darwin RSL President Steve Gloster said he couldn’t comment on the matter.
The RSL building in Cavenagh St burnt down in June 2018.
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