Mayoral candidates share differing visions for the future of Darwin

The City of Darwin will inevitably change as time goes on, but how the Territory’s capital will look could depend greatly on who wins the mayoral race. The candidates reveal their ideas here.

THE City of Darwin will inevitably change as time goes on, but how the Territory’s capital will look in four years could depend greatly on who wins the mayoral race.

Incumbent Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said, if re-elected for another term, Darwin will be “greener and cooler” come 2025.

“Planting more trees and landscaping our roads are changing Darwin into a real tropical city,” he said. Mr Vatskalis also said he wants beaches and playgrounds to be more accessible and for infrastructure like bike paths to be upgraded to attract more people to live and visit.

However, if the scales tip to favour Calvin Donaldson, he said he wants Darwin to become a place for local business to thrive.

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“My vision is to see more local businesses succeed in their goals and become a sustainable opportunity for our city,” he said.

Meanwhile, Robin Lawrence said if he were to take on the city’s top job, he’d work to make Darwin more affordable and better promote its assets.

“My vision would be that it would be a place to call home, a place that is affordable to live,” he said. “It would be a place that promoted its natural coastline and its multicultural past and future.”