NIMBYs and activists putting NT potential at risk: Cunningham

Boundless Possible, they told us. A phrase that once summed up the ethos of the Territory but the rise of NIMBYism and anti-fracking activists are putting it at risk, writes Matt Cunningham.

“The naysayers and idea killers never came this far. Instead, it’s home to people like us, those who saw the boundless potential in this place.”

Those words were written just a few short years ago.

And they were written about this place.

The great Northern Territory, where anyone can achieve anything.

Boundless Possible, they told us. And while they might have butchered the English language, the phrase accurately summed up the ethos of a place where people came to find opportunities they could only dream of somewhere else.

A place established against the odds, despite the stifling heat and humidity that drives many away.

Those who stayed long enough came to realise the magic of the Territory and its seemingly endless, untapped potential.

The City of Darwin is proposing an RV park trial at Bundilla Beach in Fannie Bay. Map: Supplied

So what’s happened? Because lately it feels like the naysayers and idea killers have arrived here en masse, shouting down any hint of progress.

Look at the idea for an RV park at Bundilla Beach.

Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis put forward the plan a few weeks ago to activate an under-utilised area in a prime part of our city.

“We want to see increased tourist numbers in Darwin, because we know that tourist spending stimulates the local economy beyond just accommodation and into retail, hospitality, art and creative industries, tours, transport and more,” Mr Vatskalis said.

But the ink on the press release had barely had time to dry before the idea killers emerged, aided by local MLA Brent Potter and 177 signatures on a petition, ready to put this plan to bed.

The NT's Boundless Possible slogan is at risk of becoming Nothing’s Possible if braver MLAs don’t stand up to NIMBYism and anti-gas activists.

This growing NIMBYism is helped by the tiny size of the Northern Territory’s electorates.

When a dozen votes changing hands can determine the outcome of an election, it takes a very brave MLA to stand against a vocal community group, no matter how small.

The rise of the naysayers is costing Darwin its competitive advantage.

Anyone who has been to Cairns and walked along that city’s esplanade knows what could be possible.

This area has been activated with sporting facilities, a boardwalk, a walking/cycling track, a public swimming pool, monuments to our Indigenous past and war history, and the overflowing Muddies Café and playground.

Matt Cunningham is the Northern Australia Correspondent and Darwin Bureau Chief at SKY NEWS Picture: Justin Kennedy

Each day it’s teeming with locals and tourists and alike.

Our esplanade, meanwhile, is probably the deadest part of our city.

Despite being lined with hotels, few people use this beautiful area that looks out over Darwin Harbour.

And any ideas to activate the area are quickly shot down, as the Darwin RSL club discovered three years ago.

Now the Northern Territory government is proposing the Esplanade be made a heritage listed area.

This would prevent any future development here from Doctor’s Gully all the way across to the Deckchair Cinema, including the Darwin Council’s plan to develop the Lameroo Baths as a tourist attraction.

As Mr Vatskalis told Mix FM: “It’s very curious for a government that wants to develop a $40bn economy.”

He has questioned whether events like the Bombing of Darwin commemorations and The Glenti will still be able to be held here.

Matt Cunningham Sky News dinkus

You can possibly forgive the government for giving in to noisy activists when you witness the kind of behaviour they are subjected to.

Just look at the harassment of Chief Minister Natasha Fyles at the hands of anti-fracking activists while she was competing in the West Macs Monster trail race in Alice Springs last weekend.

I suspect those activists haven’t taken a close look at the forward estimates in the NT budget because if our slogan at the moment is Boundless Possible, without the gas industry we might need to change it to Nothing’s Possible.

But let’s go back to the words in that slick marketing campaign released in 2018.

“Here, you feel what it’s like to be part of a collective of doers and creators. Where humility sees innovative thinking, simply referred to as ‘getting things done’. It’s a place where you hear ‘give it a go’ a lot more than you hear the word ‘no’.”

Those words belong to the Northern Territory government. It’s time to live up to them.

- Matt Cunningham is the Sky News Darwin Bureau Chief and North Australia correspondent