Mr MITCHELL - 1995-11-22
In light of the government's commitment to open up additional industrial and residential land in the Territory's main urban areas, can the minister advise on planned land developments in the Stuart Park area of Darwin?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, members will be aware that, in Future Directions, the Chief Minister made a commitment on behalf of the government that more industrial and residential land would be released in urban areas to take account of the growth that is occurring, particularly in Darwin. One area that lends itself to such redevelopment is Stuart Park north. Today, I released land use strategy proposals for that area. Those documents will be on public display for 28 days from today. I encourage those who are interested, particularly current residents of the area, to look well at the documents and make comment because this very open public process is an opportunity for residents to make input to the future land use and development of that area.
This proposal offers extensive opportunities in relation to existing government industrial infrastructure in the area. I include in that the Ben Hammond workshops, which are used by the Power and Water Authority, the Northern Territory Bus Service and NT Fleet Depot at the 2-Mile on the Stuart Highway, which is used currently by the Department of Transport and Works, and the Commonwealth-owned land adjoining the 2-Mile Depot. We are negotiating with the Commonwealth with regard to the possibility of rezoning that area also for residential development.
The proposal includes a range of medium- to high-density urban residential developments on an area of a little over 50 ha that is close to existing services such as schools and other government infrastructure. The proposal will take advantage of the marvellous recreational potential and aesthetic values of Darwin Harbour. It has the potential to provide for an additional 5000 people to live in that area. It will be of great benefit to the central business district because it will provide opportunities for people to work and to access commercial and government office activities in the CBD. In turn, that will give a fillip to the retail sector in the
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central business district of Darwin. This is a major announcement in terms of the opportunities that the proposal offers. The land use objectives cover 6 major precincts including Stuart Park itself, the Daly Street and Stuart Highway area, Bishop Street, Dinah Beach, and the Sadgroves Creek and Ludmilla precincts.
Mr Bailey: Is this a ministerial statement or an answer to a question?
Mr REED: It is a great shame that the member for Wanguri does not show more interest in the development of Darwin and the potential that this rezoning will provide for that development.
Mr Bailey: It is not an answer to a question. It is a ministerial statement.
Mr REED: It is an important issue. I have taken all of 2 or 3 minutes to provide what I think is some very sound background. As I speak, I am also advising, by fax machine, real estate agents and other interested groups in Darwin. I am sure they will be much more interested in this development opportunity than is the member for Wanguri.
Mr Bailey: We are interested in debating it.
Mr REED: This is a major redevelopment proposal which, together with the relocation of the tank farm, will provide jobs. That is what this government is about. It is a major development opportunity for Darwin and the Northern Territory. If the member wants to debate the matter, he will have the opportunity to do that later. We are talking about Darwin's development being managed in a responsible way.
This proposal will include redevelopment of green belts to take into account the environment that we share and appreciate, including nearby developments such as Bayview Haven, and the need to provide for better traffic flows in that area. If members take the opportunity to view the plans that are on display from today, they will see that there are some major development proposals for Woolner Road. They also will have a broad impact on and benefit for the wider community of Darwin. This is a major opportunity for us to redevelop that area. I encourage the people of Darwin to make comments so that they might be incorporated in the long-term land use strategy for that area.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, members will be aware that, in Future Directions, the Chief Minister made a commitment on behalf of the government that more industrial and residential land would be released in urban areas to take account of the growth that is occurring, particularly in Darwin. One area that lends itself to such redevelopment is Stuart Park north. Today, I released land use strategy proposals for that area. Those documents will be on public display for 28 days from today. I encourage those who are interested, particularly current residents of the area, to look well at the documents and make comment because this very open public process is an opportunity for residents to make input to the future land use and development of that area.
This proposal offers extensive opportunities in relation to existing government industrial infrastructure in the area. I include in that the Ben Hammond workshops, which are used by the Power and Water Authority, the Northern Territory Bus Service and NT Fleet Depot at the 2-Mile on the Stuart Highway, which is used currently by the Department of Transport and Works, and the Commonwealth-owned land adjoining the 2-Mile Depot. We are negotiating with the Commonwealth with regard to the possibility of rezoning that area also for residential development.
The proposal includes a range of medium- to high-density urban residential developments on an area of a little over 50 ha that is close to existing services such as schools and other government infrastructure. The proposal will take advantage of the marvellous recreational potential and aesthetic values of Darwin Harbour. It has the potential to provide for an additional 5000 people to live in that area. It will be of great benefit to the central business district because it will provide opportunities for people to work and to access commercial and government office activities in the CBD. In turn, that will give a fillip to the retail sector in the
Page 1015
central business district of Darwin. This is a major announcement in terms of the opportunities that the proposal offers. The land use objectives cover 6 major precincts including Stuart Park itself, the Daly Street and Stuart Highway area, Bishop Street, Dinah Beach, and the Sadgroves Creek and Ludmilla precincts.
Mr Bailey: Is this a ministerial statement or an answer to a question?
Mr REED: It is a great shame that the member for Wanguri does not show more interest in the development of Darwin and the potential that this rezoning will provide for that development.
Mr Bailey: It is not an answer to a question. It is a ministerial statement.
Mr REED: It is an important issue. I have taken all of 2 or 3 minutes to provide what I think is some very sound background. As I speak, I am also advising, by fax machine, real estate agents and other interested groups in Darwin. I am sure they will be much more interested in this development opportunity than is the member for Wanguri.
Mr Bailey: We are interested in debating it.
Mr REED: This is a major redevelopment proposal which, together with the relocation of the tank farm, will provide jobs. That is what this government is about. It is a major development opportunity for Darwin and the Northern Territory. If the member wants to debate the matter, he will have the opportunity to do that later. We are talking about Darwin's development being managed in a responsible way.
This proposal will include redevelopment of green belts to take into account the environment that we share and appreciate, including nearby developments such as Bayview Haven, and the need to provide for better traffic flows in that area. If members take the opportunity to view the plans that are on display from today, they will see that there are some major development proposals for Woolner Road. They also will have a broad impact on and benefit for the wider community of Darwin. This is a major opportunity for us to redevelop that area. I encourage the people of Darwin to make comments so that they might be incorporated in the long-term land use strategy for that area.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016