‘It’s important for the future of Darwin, as long as its built with consideration’: Tourism boss

THE proposal for a 5-star luxury hotel in the heart of Darwin would be welcomed by key players in the tourism sector – if the project is done properly

An artist's impression of the 38 storey luxury accommodation that is planned to be built in Darwin's CBD. PICTURE: Architecton

THE proposal for a 200-room, 5-star luxury hotel in the heart of Darwin would be welcomed by key players in the tourism sector – if the project is done properly.

Tourism Top End chief executive Glen Hingley told the NT News increasing the amount of rooms would keep trains and planes on the NT route. “This would be a welcome addition to some of the terrific accommodation we already have,” he said.

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“It’s important for the future of Darwin, as long as its built with consideration for where we’re at with the demand. It’s a long-term project it’s not going to be here next year. It’s hard to grow jobs, it’s hard to grow the economy so this is an important process in creating jobs and increasing the value of our products and the high value tourism plays in the NT.”

An artist's impression of the 38 storey luxury accommodation that is planned to be built in Darwin's CBD. Picture: Architecton

A document being circulated by the government was calling for expressions of interest from potential investors for the proposed Darwin Resort project at 84 Mitchell Street, where the Poinciana Motel is located.

Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce said going forward without due diligence could prove detrimental to the developers and existing operators.

“I think if some of these proposals are going to be more than a pipedream, the government does need to bring forward its plans with regards to unregulated accommodation,” he said. “To make these projects stack up, there needs to be, post COVID-19, a viable investment decision (made).

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“Part of that is to level the playing field so the traditional accommodation can’t continue to be undermined by unregulated accommodation which we know is a growing problem in Darwin.”

The Department of the Chief Minister, where the project sits, said there had been no major discussions held regarding the project’s investment at this stage. But the project, which features as the largest of several on a list of major tourism investment projects, could become the centrepiece if the Waterfront Hotel is not resumed by mid 2021.