Work on Darwin’s new underground carpark begins

DARWIN has a new hole and it’s getting bigger and bigger. Work is well underway on the new underground carpark in State Square.

Concrete is being poured for the foundation of the new underground car park beside Parliament House in Darwin on Thursday morning. Picture: JUSTIN KENNEDY

DARWIN has a new hole and it’s getting bigger and bigger.

Work is well underway on the new underground carpark in State Square.

It is already 12m deep and 40,000 tonnes of dirt has been removed.

This will make way for a 450-space, three-level underground carpark.

While those on ground level currently can’t see into the hole, those in office buildings around the site have watched as it was excavated.

The carpark will replace the carparks at the Supreme Court, Chan Building and Cenotaph.

This will enable these existing surface car parks to be redeveloped as cool and shaded parklands.

The project marks the start of the State Square redevelopment as part of the $200 million City Deal, which will ultimately see the relocation of the bus terminal, the demolition of the Chan building and improved and activated laneways, walkways, cycle paths and relaxing/social areas.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the projects would “cement Darwin’s place as the capital of the North”.