‘We will now look for a new builder of a luxury hotel at the site’: NT Govt to hunt for new builder

Landbridge’s plan for a $200m six-star Westin hotel at the Darwin Waterfront is dead and buried with the NT government reclaiming the site.

The NT government reclaiming the site after the 12-month construction extension it gave the Chinese company expired. Picture: Che Chorley

• Luxury Waterfront hotel in doubt as works suspended for 12 months
• Darwin Port owner stops work on $200m luxury hotel

LANDBRIDGE’S plan for a $200m six-star Westin hotel at the Darwin Waterfront is dead and buried with the NT government reclaiming the site after the 12-month construction extension it gave the Chinese company expired on Wednesday.

The prime waterfront site below Government House and adjacent to the Darwin Port Cruise Ship Terminal is being put back on the market by the NT government.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the government would now look for a new builder of a luxury hotel at the site.

MORE TOP NEWS

Seafarms raises $92.5m to start NT prawn farm

Tracey Hayes appointed the new head of NAIF

‘Our responsibility lies with the safety of the greater population’: Darwin Fringe Festival cancelled

Industry sources say they expect the site, with its absolute seafront location near an established hospitality precinct, will attract plenty of interest.

Landbridge, which is the centre of a Department of Defence investigation in relation to its Darwin Port lease, suspended work on the luxury hotel 10 months ago. It also said it would not continue with the Waterfront hotel if construction was not resumed by the end of June 2021.

“Today is the first day Landbridge’s option to extend its lease of the Waterfront hotel site expires,” Mr Gunner said.

The NT government reclaiming the site after the 12-month construction extension it gave the Chinese company expired. Picture: Che Chorley

“We will now look for a new builder of a luxury hotel at the site.”

Mr Gunner said he would turn his attention to the process of finding a new luxury hotel proponent after the current Covid-19 crisis had been resolved.

“I have asked for the process to be paused until we come out of lockdown … right now, my number one priority is dealing with Covid-19 and making sure Territorians are kept safe.” Mr Gunner said there would be a Register of Interest process to canvass interest in building a new luxury hotel at the site and this would begin as soon as possible.

“We are aiming to open up Registrations of Interest by the end of this month,” he said.

Mr Gunner was upbeat about securing a new luxury hotel builder.

“Once you throw international tourism back into that mix, demand for high-end accommodation in Darwin as a launch pad into the Territory’s spectacular landscape and cultural richness, will have never been greater,” he said. It is anticipated cabinet would consider and approve a successful application around October or November this year.