From water parks to nuclear energy, here are the top suggestions from our reader survey

We asked our readers what your ‘big ideas’ were to transform the Territory’s economy, tourism industry, and encourage population growth. You didn’t disappoint. Here are the TOP 10 IDEAS. Tell us what you think and VOTE IN OUR POLLS.

WE asked our readers what your ‘big ideas’ were to transform the Territory’s economy, tourism industry, and encourage population growth.

You didn’t disappoint. We received more than 180 responses, many with detailed, well-thought ideas and researched ideas.

We whittled it down to the 10 which were most consistently suggested. Cast your vote and tell us what you think in the comments.

Ocean baths

READER IDEAS: Turn Darwin into the ocean pools swim centre of the world.

Filter ocean water into seaside formed ‘rock pools’ for year-round ocean swimming, free of crocodiles and box jellyfish. A series of pools could be located along the foreshore from Bundilla Beach to Casuarina Beach, or in Nightcliff, and the pools could also be used for thalassotherapy. We should take inspiration from the ocean pools in New South Wales.

Rail system

READER IDEAS: Establish a rail service from Darwin to Palmerston and Katherine.

Create a train line connecting the northern suburbs to Palmerston and the CBD and make it a faster, more convenient, economic and cleaner mode of transport. Also consider a regular train service to Katherine and back, which would allow Darwin residents to go visiting and camping, and enable Katherine residents to more regularly travel to Darwin.

Crocodile hunting safaris

READER IDEAS: Legalise crocodile hunting under strict regulations, and have them only with safaris. It could be a beneficial way to assist/maintain the ecosystem, or to capitalise on the growing crocodile skin industry.

Legalise marijuana

READER IDEAS: Legalise recreational and medical cannabis use, based on the Canadian government-controlled model. Allow the NT government to run the farms, supply chains and dispensary shops, creating jobs and making a profit. Take advantage of the opportunity to become the Amsterdam or California of Australia. It could attract tourists and encourage population growth by making the NT a legal and safe space to use.

Water park

READER IDEAS: Build a huge water park for the local families and tourists with water slides, pools, trampolines, barbecues, gaming areas and relaxation spaces. Parks like Wet ‘n’ Wild attract thousands of locals and tourists each year. The park should have sufficient coverage to keep away the sun and encourage regular use. It should cater to adults as well as adolescents with a bar, restaurant and 18+ events.

Activate the Esplanade

READER IDEAS: Convert the Esplanade into an attraction akin to Southbank in Brisbane. Have food trucks, revamp it with a boardwalk and tasteful restaurants, and create a water play/feature along it.

Nuclear energy

READER IDEAS: Turn the Territory into Australia’s leading power generator and establish a nuclear power station. The cheap electricity will provide many benefits: a reduction in cost of living and more business and manufacturing opportunities, resulting in more people moving to the Territory. It will also encourage more investment in solar with our kilometres of open and awaiting land and make the Territory the cheapest place to live.

Film industry

READER IDEAS: Expand the Territory’s film industry and entice more movies and television series to be shot here. The NT should become more competitive against locations such as Sydney, Melbourne and now Perth. Internationally recognised and renowned films like Crocodile Dundee, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Australia and Top End Wedding have put the Territory on the map and more need to be encouraged.

Take inspiration from Singapore

READER IDEAS: Turn to Singapore and other tropical cities to make the Territory a cooler, more innovative place to visit. Create gardens similar to Singapore where you can stroll around and have coffee in small nooks and crannies, all submerged in colourful flora with odd and intriguing Territory art and culture to be discovered. Plant trees, build covers for shade and create the Darwin equivalent of Singapore’s Clarke Quay.

Surfing precinct

READER IDEAS: Develop a proper wave pool/surf park like URBNSURF in Melbourne. The year-long tropical climate should be taken advantage of. Surfers from around Australia and the world would flock to Darwin for the opportunity to surf in the Top End sun. Establish it as a precinct with cafes, restaurants, shops and other retailers. Operate it day and night and it will attract people chasing the waves.

Do you have other ideas? Feel free to share them in the comments below.

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