‘There have been additional works associated with latent conditions and improved community infrastructure’: Reasons for delayed Nightcliff Police Station opening revealed
Unexpected conditions have been blamed for the delayed opening of the Nightcliff Police Station.
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UNEXPECTED conditions have been blamed for the delayed opening of the Nightcliff Police Station, which was supposed to be finished in early 2021.
The NT government says ‘latent conditions’, which are physical conditions that cannot have been reasonably identified through observations or investigations for the tender documentation, have caused the hold up.
The latent conditions listed by Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Minister Eva Lawler include asbestos and old pipes and cables.
Ms Lawler said they required remedial works.
For months, part of Progress Dr has been closed to traffic as these remedial works are completed.
Ms Lawler said the roadworks were expected to be completed this month.
“There have been additional works associated with latent conditions and improved community infrastructure,” she said.
“Requirements on projects are negotiated through the life of the contract, and therefore total costs are provided on the conclusion of the contract.”
NT Police Association president Paul McCue said it was frustrating to be told the police station would be operational only for that not to happen.
“You’ve got a facility that should be ready to go and instead you have people still working out of a facility in Nightcliff that isn’t fit for purpose,” Mr McCue said.
Mr McCue said the station was never really needed in the first place. “You’ve got to question the overall need for it given you have facilities in remote areas that are 50-60 years old and you have Casuarina and Darwin,” he said.
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The Nightcliff Police Station will operate 24 hours a day and is part of the John Stokes Square redevelopment.
Opposition jobs and training spokeswoman Marie-Clare Boothby said the cop shop was just one of several construction budget blowouts, including Garramilla Boulevard and the Myilly Point playground.
“Territorians are paying for Labor’s incompetence and its failure to complete jobs on time and on budget,” she said.
“Territory police are voting with their feet and leaving the force in droves because Labor cannot deliver the support and infrastructure.”
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