NT firms win key contracts for Charles Darwin University CBD campus

TWO NT firms have been appointed for key design and construction works for the CDU city campus. SEE WHO THEY ARE HERE

Cities Minister Alan Tudge announces two key contracts for Charles Darwin University’s Darwin city campus. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Matray

• $250m Darwin CDU campus construction starts
• CDU city campus project hits a snag after asbestos found at site

DARWIN construction company Halikos Pty Ltd has won the job for the first phase of

the $250m Charles Darwin University (CDU) Education and Community Precinct in Darwin’s CBD.

And the other key job as Principal Design Consultant (PDC) has gone to another local business, architectural firm Mode Design Corp Pty Ltd.

The construction contract with Halikos covers work to finalise design development and provision of the Phase 2 contract for the construction and fit-out of the new building.

This includes the two-level underground carpark, landscaping and public open spaces.

Mode Design Corp will be responsible for all aspects of the detailed design of the project.

Excavation work on the city campus site has been progressing well, with about 80 per cent of the digging completed.

MORE NT NEWS

NT Cattlemen’s chief executive Ashley Manicaros makes shock exit

Morrison Govt chips in $50m to speed up Beetaloo development by two years

CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Maddocks said the university had worked with

the Australian and Northern Territory governments through the City Deal to maximise the

opportunities for local businesses.

Vice-Chancellor Maddocks said a key evaluation criteria for this contract required tenderers to demonstrate how their bids made maximum use of local consultants, contractors and suppliers.

Federal Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Minister Alan Tudge said it was critical that the project provided a high level of local participation in the design and construction of the precinct.

The new CDU city campus site under construction. Picture: Che Chorley

He said the CDU city campus is one of the most significant and unique construction projects to be undertaken in Darwin in recent times.

“As a project under the Darwin City Deal, local industry participation is a key priority to

ensure and maximise benefits for Territory businesses and workers,” Minister Tudge said.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner was ecstatic that two local firms had won the key contracts and said the precinct would be a major win for the Darwin economy.

“Local companies means local jobs – and we will see the economic benefits flow within

the Territory,” Mr Gunner said.

He said the precinct would be a major win for the Darwin economy.

“We want to get people into the guts of the city, and this project will do just that – while

keeping Territorians in work along the way,” Mr Gunner said.

“Already local engineers, architects, town planners and tradespeople have benefited

from the project and this will increase further as construction ramps up over the coming

months.”

An artist’s impression inside the planned Charles Darwin University city campus. Picture: Supplied

Vice-Chancellor Maddocks said a key evaluation criteria for this contract required tenderers to demonstrate how their bids made maximum use of local consultants, contractors and suppliers.

Northern Territory CLP senator Dr Sam McMahon said getting on with the job of building city-shaping infrastructure like the campus is important now more than ever to support jobs and stimulate the local economy post COVID-19.

Building the world-class university campus is expected to provide a $600 million boost to

the Darwin economy over a 30-year period.

Construction of the precinct will create 730 jobs and provide a long-term boost to local

businesses like cafes, restaurants, bars and retail stores by attracting an influx of students and visitors.