Darwin’s Chapel Lane to undergo $1.3m upgrade as part of City Deal
More than a million dollars will be spent on upgrading a Darwin city laneway and replacing some carparks with an alfresco dining area. Have your say on the plans.
Northern Territory
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The historic Darwin City Deal has taken a step forward with a $1.3m commitment to revitalise a central business district laneway.
Chapel Lane is set to become a “deliberate detour” between Mitchell Street and West Lane with upgrades to include public art, greenery and lighting.
The Territory government funding will also go towards replacing the nine carparks out the front of Bub and Sool Korean restaurant, transforming the area into a pedestrian and dining-friendly space.
Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said the council would develop a plan after three weeks of community consultation.
“I want more trees, more shrubbery, more greenery and tables, chairs and umbrellas up, just like any other city in Australia and Europe,” he said.
“We live in the best place in the world with the best weather at the moment – why would you want to lock yourself in airconditioning?
“We’re trying to make the Darwin CBD a place to work, enjoy and play and this Chapel Lane transformation will do exactly that.”
While losing the nine carparks is expected to cost the council, Mr Vatskalis said he was eager for the area to be transformed into a pedestrian space as surrounding off-street carparks were usually 70 per cent full at most.
“There’s the Parliament House underground carpark, West Lane and of course the Dragonfly,” he said.
“There’s plenty of parking in Darwin … I know people like to park outside the restaurant but what’s another 10 or 20 steps?”
Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the project would aim to make Chapel Lane not unlike Austin Lane and Spain Place, which have already been upgraded to the tune of $3m as part of the Darwin City Deal.
“(This) will turn it into an alfresco dining, vibrant space that community can use both during the day and into the evening,” she said.
“We’ve seen the success with the activation of Austin Lane and we look forward to hearing people’s ideas to activate this space in our CBD.”
The Darwin City Deal is a $200m agreement and 10-year plan between all three levels of government, signed in 2018, to transform the Top End capital’s CBD into a vibrant and liveable space.
The Chapel Lane project comes after multimillion-dollar upgrades to other laneways while funding has also gone to council-run private security patrols, the monthly Austin Lane markets and the Darwin Street Art Festival.
Solomon MP Luke Gosling said the plan was about transforming underused parts of the city for locals and tourists alike to enjoy.
“Territorians know what’s best for the Territory and I encourage the local community to make sure their voice is heard by jumping online to complete the survey and provide their feedback,” he said.
To have your say on the project head to engage.darwin.nt.gov.au/chapel-lane before September 8.
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