New features for Smith Street as CBD works for $3m Streetscape project to kick off

City of Darwin’s imagined Smith St makeover will soon become a reality, with works for the transformative project to start within weeks. See what it’s going to look like.

City of Darwin’s imagined Smith St makeover will soon become a reality, with works for the transformative project set to commence on March 31. Picture: GHD

City of Darwin’s envisioned Smith St makeover will soon become a reality, with works for the transformative project to start on March 31.

The Smith Street Streetscape project plans to add more greenery and pedestrian crossings, new street furniture and public art from local creatives, and dedicated bicycle and e-scooter lanes as part of the upgrades.

The $3 million project, funded by the Northern Territory government under the Darwin City Deal, but led by council, will be contained within the section of Smith St between Knuckey and Whitfield streets.

Screenshots from a flythrough developed by GHD of the City of Darwin’s Smith Street Streetscape makeover. Picture: GHD

Some car parks will be removed to make way for the new greenery, a move the City of Darwin says “keeps in line with the community’s desire to see a cooler, cleaner, greener area created”.

The accessible carparking currently located on Smith St will be relocated to Peel St.

The rainbow crossing, alternatively referred to as the Pride Flag, will be replaced with the Inclusive Progress Pride Flag, as determined in consultation with peak representative bodies.

Screenshots from a flythrough developed by GHD of the City of Darwin’s Smith Street Streetscape makeover. Picture: GHD

Local Darwin company DEC Installations has been selected to complete the project, setting a tentative finish date of July.

Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said the final design of the project had been shaped by the community and hoped it would transform Darwin into a more vibrant and liveable tropical city.

“We undertook considerable community consultation for the Smith Street Streetscape project with nearly 80 per cent of respondents supporting the upgrades,” he said.

“Over half the people surveyed said they would be more inclined to visit the street once the improvements are made.

Screenshots from a flythrough developed by GHD of the City of Darwin’s Smith Street Streetscape makeover. Picture: GHD

“Our aim is to create a cooler, greener and more dynamic hub with enhanced pedestrian experience and safety.

“We are also excited to see the public art components come to life, with works from local creatives, including Denise Quall, Lee Harrop, Amina McConvell, Katy Moir and Minna Leunig, included in the final design.”

Originally published as New features for Smith Street as CBD works for $3m Streetscape project to kick off