Ms LAWRIE - 2002-03-05
Can the Chief Minister advise us of the steps the government is taking to assist the development of a convention centre in Darwin?
ANSWER
That is an excellent question from the member for Karama. First of all, Madam Speaker, in terms of a convention centre for Darwin, I put on the record that this government is absolutely committed to such a convention centre, and supports the concept of it. Quite obviously, as this House recognises, the economic benefits that come from such a convention centre - whether it be the Alice Springs Convention Centre that was talked about this morning or one in Darwin - the economic benefits right across the Territory are undoubted.
As honourable members would be aware, the Darwin City Council has a proposal for a convention centre on the Carlton Hotel site which would incorporate the Darwin Entertainment Centre. I have met with the council on the proposal and, at first glance, it seems that it would involve a considerably lower capital cost than the other proposals that we have seen. On that basis, I am pleased to announce today that the government is fast-tracking a preliminary assessment of the Darwin City Council proposal. This involves an assessment of the likely capital cost, the functionality and the marketability of the proposed facilities. Local and interstate expertise is being used in this assessment. While at this stage there is no commitment, this government is fast-tracking this preliminary work because of the benefits a convention centre will bring to our local economy.
The benefits are many. There is a significant project for the building industry during design and construction stage; there are jobs in the convention centre itself; there is business for suppliers to the convention centre; vastly increased convention business for Darwin, which will benefit all our hotels and operators in the wider tourist industry; and, last but not least, will provide considerably enhanced entertainment facilities for Territorians. I looked this morning at the benefits that were flowing, and will flow into the Alice Springs economy because of the Alice Springs Convention Centre, and these are very similar for a Darwin convention centre. This government is absolutely committed to developing a convention centre in Darwin, and will consider the results of our preliminary assessment within two weeks, and make a decision by the end of March on whether to either enter into detailed negotiations on this proposal with the Darwin City Council, or to immediately call for fresh expressions of interest.
There is a commitment to a Darwin convention centre from this government. We have a proposal in front of us from the Darwin City Council. Its capital costs look very attractive at this stage, so we are going to be fast-tracking that preliminary assessment. We will have the answer before the community by the end of March, and either we will be saying, ‘Yes, we will go further with the Darwin City Council proposal’, or we will call for fresh expressions of interest.
ANSWER
That is an excellent question from the member for Karama. First of all, Madam Speaker, in terms of a convention centre for Darwin, I put on the record that this government is absolutely committed to such a convention centre, and supports the concept of it. Quite obviously, as this House recognises, the economic benefits that come from such a convention centre - whether it be the Alice Springs Convention Centre that was talked about this morning or one in Darwin - the economic benefits right across the Territory are undoubted.
As honourable members would be aware, the Darwin City Council has a proposal for a convention centre on the Carlton Hotel site which would incorporate the Darwin Entertainment Centre. I have met with the council on the proposal and, at first glance, it seems that it would involve a considerably lower capital cost than the other proposals that we have seen. On that basis, I am pleased to announce today that the government is fast-tracking a preliminary assessment of the Darwin City Council proposal. This involves an assessment of the likely capital cost, the functionality and the marketability of the proposed facilities. Local and interstate expertise is being used in this assessment. While at this stage there is no commitment, this government is fast-tracking this preliminary work because of the benefits a convention centre will bring to our local economy.
The benefits are many. There is a significant project for the building industry during design and construction stage; there are jobs in the convention centre itself; there is business for suppliers to the convention centre; vastly increased convention business for Darwin, which will benefit all our hotels and operators in the wider tourist industry; and, last but not least, will provide considerably enhanced entertainment facilities for Territorians. I looked this morning at the benefits that were flowing, and will flow into the Alice Springs economy because of the Alice Springs Convention Centre, and these are very similar for a Darwin convention centre. This government is absolutely committed to developing a convention centre in Darwin, and will consider the results of our preliminary assessment within two weeks, and make a decision by the end of March on whether to either enter into detailed negotiations on this proposal with the Darwin City Council, or to immediately call for fresh expressions of interest.
There is a commitment to a Darwin convention centre from this government. We have a proposal in front of us from the Darwin City Council. Its capital costs look very attractive at this stage, so we are going to be fast-tracking that preliminary assessment. We will have the answer before the community by the end of March, and either we will be saying, ‘Yes, we will go further with the Darwin City Council proposal’, or we will call for fresh expressions of interest.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016