Former deputy chief minister Peter Styles unveils mayoral plans for City of Darwin
Former Deputy Chief Minister Peter Styles has thrown his hat into the ring to become the next Lord Mayor of Darwin. Find out what he is campaigning on.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Peter Styles promises to be a leader that “listens, acts and delivers” if he is elected as Darwin’s next lord mayor, with the long-time politician laying out his plans ahead of August 23.
The former deputy chief minister said more needed to be done from a basic level – such as fixing footpaths, adding more lighting and CCTV, cleaning up the parks around the town, and developing more affordable car parks and bicycle lanes.
On the topic of car parks, Mr Styles said he would advocate for an annual permit for those who work in the city, but it would only be in designated areas to stop people from leaving their cars parked in front of stores all day.
“If people have to pay a fortune for parking, they’ll want to stay at home because they don’t want to spend the $60-$70-$80 a week on parking,” he said.
“But if you give them an annual permit, you’re giving people who work in the city a break, especially when things are tough; that might be the difference between a family going out on a Sunday to do something or staying home.”
Mr Styles also said putting lights in the parks was a big promise of his, as there were many people – especially women – who do not feel safe walking through the parks during the night.
“This is about having lights in the park, it’s about mowing the grass more often, it’s about kicking the undergrowth out so anti-social people can’t hide in it,” he said.
Other things such as footpaths and bins were also not being fixed or cleaned as quickly as they should be, Mr Styles said, and he would look to change that if he was elected.
As for other additions to the City of Darwin, Mr Styles showed the NT News development plans to create filtered rock pools along the Esplanade, where a lagoon is currently being built, as well as potential sites for a WWII Museum to celebrate Darwin’s military history.
In an attempt to also improve transparency and openness, Mr Styles said he would like to introduce more frequent meetings in the council, rather than the one per month that the City of Darwin currently do.
In the wake of the current housing crisis, Mr Styles also said he would commit to building towers designed exclusively for international university students by local companies.
He said the development would “attract” students to the Northern Territory while also helping the local residential market.
There would be safeguards and conditions on the development, he said, to prevent international companies from buying the units and using them.
The 72-year-old acknowledged that he was older than others running against him, however he said that his experience in the Northern Territory Government would be good for the council and allow him to mentor younger people coming through the council ranks.
To keep up to date with Mr Styles or to see his policies in greater detail, go to: https://www.facebook.com/PeterStylesForMayor
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