Ms LAWRIE - 2003-08-12
Please outline to the Assembly details of the government’s role in developing the $600m Darwin City waterfront project, particularly its $100m commitment towards the construction of a convention centre and infrastructure works at the site.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this is a very important question because this is a bold and visionary development for the Territory. It was with great pride that I announced the details of the Darwin City waterfront redevelopment yesterday while standing on Stokes Hill Wharf and looking back at the 25 hectares of land, currently very much a neglected industrial site, that will be a landmark development for Darwin and the Territory.
The overall value of this project, 10 to 15 years worth, is something like $600m. What it means is hundreds of jobs in construction over that time and, very importantly, in tourism and retail. It will be a significant boost to our economy. An important part of the redevelopment I announced yesterday is $100m from government for building a convention and exhibition centre. That is the important catalyst for seeing this development move ahead. The wharf area is a significant site for the convention centre and is an integral part of the CBD.
If there is to be any discussion about that, it is interesting that the now Opposition Leader, when he was Chief Minister, oversaw a land use objective for the CBD, and very clearly in that is the waterfront site. It is an important landmark. It will be an important driver for our economy, and will produce jobs for our economy. It will be a mixed use development. The catalyst of that area will be a convention centre and an exhibition space. It will be residential, commercial, very importantly recreational, naval and cruise ships - all those developments ready to happen.
The big difference between my government and any previous government is that there was a lot of talk previously, now this will happen. We have put $100m to build that convention centre and associated infrastructure for the entire project, and it will happen. Let me indicate what this is, because we have had a very …
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, it would be interesting if even one member of the opposition had asked for a briefing on this. Do you know, there is such a lack of interest that they have never, ever asked for a briefing. We have them running outside making statements based on ignorance, and that is what is so distressing about this.
I will now talk about the detail of the convention and exhibition centre. We have done careful work on this, and I thank PricewaterhouseCoopers for the work they have done on the economic viability. Again, we have an Opposition Leader who, when we announced this study, said: ‘Why are you having a study? Just get on and do it’. Let me say very clearly that we now have the fundamentals about how we can build a convention and exhibition centre, and how it will work. This is a significant investment from Territory taxpayers. We want to make sure it works.
It will be a convention centre that, in plenary sessions, can seat 1500 people. It will have 4000 m of exhibition space. The important thing about that exhibition space is that it can grow. Every other convention and exhibition centre around Australia is growing their exhibition space. We have to start on a viable basis, but we also have to have the capacity to grow that. It is an important development. It is one we should all be proud of because it will bring jobs and growth to the Territory. It will support retailers, hotel owners and a whole myriad of businesses. The benefits of building a convention and exhibition centre have been demonstrated clearly around Australia and the world.
The process from here is that we will immediately start the environmental assessment of the project. Tenders have already been called, and that process will take 12 months. We will be seeking expressions of interest from the private sector to join with government in, importantly, an integrated development of the site, including the convention centre. Site works will begin almost immediately, including the removal of container sheds. There will be development of a plan to ensure ongoing community consultation. We will be working with the Darwin City Council to guarantee the future of the Darwin Entertainment Centre and ensure redevelopment complements the remainder of the CBD. This is enhancing and bringing greater coherency and vibrancy to our CBD.
We hope to start the project in 18 months time. It is an ambitious time frame, but I believe we can do it. We can have that major economic generator happen for our city, our Territory, in 18 months. It is 10 to 15 years of construction, jobs and real growth in our Territory. I have to say, Madam Speaker, of this I am very proud.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this is a very important question because this is a bold and visionary development for the Territory. It was with great pride that I announced the details of the Darwin City waterfront redevelopment yesterday while standing on Stokes Hill Wharf and looking back at the 25 hectares of land, currently very much a neglected industrial site, that will be a landmark development for Darwin and the Territory.
The overall value of this project, 10 to 15 years worth, is something like $600m. What it means is hundreds of jobs in construction over that time and, very importantly, in tourism and retail. It will be a significant boost to our economy. An important part of the redevelopment I announced yesterday is $100m from government for building a convention and exhibition centre. That is the important catalyst for seeing this development move ahead. The wharf area is a significant site for the convention centre and is an integral part of the CBD.
If there is to be any discussion about that, it is interesting that the now Opposition Leader, when he was Chief Minister, oversaw a land use objective for the CBD, and very clearly in that is the waterfront site. It is an important landmark. It will be an important driver for our economy, and will produce jobs for our economy. It will be a mixed use development. The catalyst of that area will be a convention centre and an exhibition space. It will be residential, commercial, very importantly recreational, naval and cruise ships - all those developments ready to happen.
The big difference between my government and any previous government is that there was a lot of talk previously, now this will happen. We have put $100m to build that convention centre and associated infrastructure for the entire project, and it will happen. Let me indicate what this is, because we have had a very …
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, it would be interesting if even one member of the opposition had asked for a briefing on this. Do you know, there is such a lack of interest that they have never, ever asked for a briefing. We have them running outside making statements based on ignorance, and that is what is so distressing about this.
I will now talk about the detail of the convention and exhibition centre. We have done careful work on this, and I thank PricewaterhouseCoopers for the work they have done on the economic viability. Again, we have an Opposition Leader who, when we announced this study, said: ‘Why are you having a study? Just get on and do it’. Let me say very clearly that we now have the fundamentals about how we can build a convention and exhibition centre, and how it will work. This is a significant investment from Territory taxpayers. We want to make sure it works.
It will be a convention centre that, in plenary sessions, can seat 1500 people. It will have 4000 m of exhibition space. The important thing about that exhibition space is that it can grow. Every other convention and exhibition centre around Australia is growing their exhibition space. We have to start on a viable basis, but we also have to have the capacity to grow that. It is an important development. It is one we should all be proud of because it will bring jobs and growth to the Territory. It will support retailers, hotel owners and a whole myriad of businesses. The benefits of building a convention and exhibition centre have been demonstrated clearly around Australia and the world.
The process from here is that we will immediately start the environmental assessment of the project. Tenders have already been called, and that process will take 12 months. We will be seeking expressions of interest from the private sector to join with government in, importantly, an integrated development of the site, including the convention centre. Site works will begin almost immediately, including the removal of container sheds. There will be development of a plan to ensure ongoing community consultation. We will be working with the Darwin City Council to guarantee the future of the Darwin Entertainment Centre and ensure redevelopment complements the remainder of the CBD. This is enhancing and bringing greater coherency and vibrancy to our CBD.
We hope to start the project in 18 months time. It is an ambitious time frame, but I believe we can do it. We can have that major economic generator happen for our city, our Territory, in 18 months. It is 10 to 15 years of construction, jobs and real growth in our Territory. I have to say, Madam Speaker, of this I am very proud.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016