Woolworths will not build a Dan Murphy’s superstore in Darwin following independent review

WOOLWORTHS will not go ahead with a Dan Murphy’s in Darwin.

WOOLWORTHS will not go ahead with a Dan Murphy’s in Darwin.

The Woolworths group announced on Thursday it would not proceed with the Darwin superstore following an independent panel review that considered issues with the development.

Woolworths Group chairman Gordon Cairns said the board expressed its appreciation for the comprehensive work of the Independent Panel.

NT NEWS EDITORIAL: A majority feel let down by this decision

“Establishing the Independent Panel, led by eminent Australian lawyer Danny Gilbert, reflected a desire by the Board and Management to ensure that the full breadth of community stakeholders had been consulted and that no community concerns had been overlooked before a final decision was made on the future of the project.

“The Gilbert Review has made it clear that we did not do enough in this community to live up to the best practice engagement to which we hold ourselves accountable.

In particular, we did not do enough stakeholder engagement with a range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations.”

Woolworths Group chief executive Brad Banducci said the insights and recommendations within the Gilbert Review would serve to strengthen Woolworths Group and Endeavour Group’s future stakeholder engagement.

“More importantly, it will create a platform for working better together in our engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“Given the Gilbert Review’s breadth and the number of recommendations made, we will be providing a response by mid June.”

Chief Minister Michael Gunner told the NT News: “We realise that there are passionate views for and against this project.”

“The Government’s role was to provide certainty which we did. We have dealt with all the historical applications now,” he said.

“We respect the decision of the NT Liquor Licensing director. We also respect Woolworths’ decision not to proceed.

“The Northern Territory Government has positioned itself as a leading jurisdiction when it comes to alcohol reforms in Australia.

“The current Territory Labor Government has done more to minimise the harm caused by alcohol than any previous Territory Government, including bringing back the Banned Drinkers Register and introducing a minimum floor price for alcohol.

“Despite Woolworths’ decision people remain able to enjoy a drink responsibly in the Darwin and Palmerston area and enjoy choice. There are several hundred licensed liquor outlets across the region.

All applications now will go through our new Act and the independent Liquor Commission.”

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