Potential end of the line for RSL Esplanade clubhouse plans as council flags intention to green over Cenotaph carpark

DARWIN council is expected to begin ripping up the Cenotaph carpark in the coming months and greening over the bitumen, in a move Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis says would more or less spell the end of the RSL’s plans to build a clubhouse on the site.

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DARWIN council is expected to begin ripping up the Cenotaph carpark in the coming months and greening over the bitumen, in accordance with public pressure.

It comes after the RSL officially withdrew its proposal on the same site following significant public backlash.

An artist’s impression of the proposed Darwin RSL clubhouse on the Esplanade. The Darwin RSL has since withdrawn its development application for the facility with Darwin council. Picture: Supplied

Alderman Andrew Arthur said in the coming weeks, council would be addressing the controversial carpark.

“In the very near future we might be looking at a proposal to follow through with the city deal prop, rip up that carpark and green it over,” he said.

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Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said it more or less spelt the end of the RSL’s plans on the site.

“We should accept their withdrawal and wish them luck on finding another place,” he said.