Ms SACILOTTO - 2005-06-30
The waterfront project is an exciting new development for my electorate and the Territory. With financial close having been reached last month, can you please update the House on current progress towards construction?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Port Darwin for her first question in the House; one which is very relevant to her electorate, of course. This is the first sittings of parliament since 9 May, when we reached financial close for the waterfront. That was a very exciting time for the Territory. As I have committed to, in the next sitting of parliament there will be a full ministerial statement about the waterfront, and I certainly hope for a very involved debate about the waterfront and what it means for the Territory and our future.
In general terms, most members in the Chamber are aware of what will take place over the next 10 to 15 years with the development of the waterfront. Importantly for the Territory, over 1000 jobs will be created during the construction phase. It will stimulate economic growth and, hopefully, bring tens of thousands of new visitors to the Top End, particularly attracted by what is going to happen at the 1500-seat convention and exhibition centre.
The community facilities that many of our community are looking forward to with such delight include the wave pool, a sea wall, swimming areas, public promenade, parklands and picnic areas, and those important complementary commercial developments.
Mr Mills interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: It is interesting, Madam Speaker. The former Leader of the Opposition still wants to scrap the waterfront.
Members interjecting.
Mr Mills: Rubbish. It is not true.
Ms MARTIN: He cannot actually do anything that says: ‘I support it’. He is saying: ‘Oh, rubbish!’.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms MARTIN: It is extraordinary, Madam Speaker.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Blain!
Ms MARTIN: You would think that finally the CLP would say: ‘Let us grasp this opportunity. Let us grasp the new business opportunities’.
Mr Mills interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Blain, cease interjecting!
Mr Mills interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Blain!
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, there are very important complementary commercial developments including a hotel, harbour-side cafes, restaurants, and staged residential development.
Since 9 May, it has been full steam ahead. There have been three contracts let worth over $3m for demolition works to prepare the way, particularly for the convention and exhibition centre. One has gone to McMahon for the demolition of three storage tanks which is worth $1.8m; one to Steelcon Constructions for almost $1m to demolish the old Fort Hill Wharf, which is about 80 years old; and another of $322000 to Territory business Trans Australian Constructions Pty Ltd for the demolition of the boom shed.
The waterfront is a very exciting project. This is an opportunity, after an election, for the CLP to get right behind government, like we did with the railway, and say this is a great project for the Territory.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, let us have bipartisan support for what is job creation, business opportunities and an enhancement of the Darwin lifestyle. It is great. Let us see the new CLP walk this extra mile and celebrate the waterfront.
Members: Hear, hear!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Port Darwin for her first question in the House; one which is very relevant to her electorate, of course. This is the first sittings of parliament since 9 May, when we reached financial close for the waterfront. That was a very exciting time for the Territory. As I have committed to, in the next sitting of parliament there will be a full ministerial statement about the waterfront, and I certainly hope for a very involved debate about the waterfront and what it means for the Territory and our future.
In general terms, most members in the Chamber are aware of what will take place over the next 10 to 15 years with the development of the waterfront. Importantly for the Territory, over 1000 jobs will be created during the construction phase. It will stimulate economic growth and, hopefully, bring tens of thousands of new visitors to the Top End, particularly attracted by what is going to happen at the 1500-seat convention and exhibition centre.
The community facilities that many of our community are looking forward to with such delight include the wave pool, a sea wall, swimming areas, public promenade, parklands and picnic areas, and those important complementary commercial developments.
Mr Mills interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: It is interesting, Madam Speaker. The former Leader of the Opposition still wants to scrap the waterfront.
Members interjecting.
Mr Mills: Rubbish. It is not true.
Ms MARTIN: He cannot actually do anything that says: ‘I support it’. He is saying: ‘Oh, rubbish!’.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Ms MARTIN: It is extraordinary, Madam Speaker.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Blain!
Ms MARTIN: You would think that finally the CLP would say: ‘Let us grasp this opportunity. Let us grasp the new business opportunities’.
Mr Mills interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Blain, cease interjecting!
Mr Mills interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Blain!
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, there are very important complementary commercial developments including a hotel, harbour-side cafes, restaurants, and staged residential development.
Since 9 May, it has been full steam ahead. There have been three contracts let worth over $3m for demolition works to prepare the way, particularly for the convention and exhibition centre. One has gone to McMahon for the demolition of three storage tanks which is worth $1.8m; one to Steelcon Constructions for almost $1m to demolish the old Fort Hill Wharf, which is about 80 years old; and another of $322000 to Territory business Trans Australian Constructions Pty Ltd for the demolition of the boom shed.
The waterfront is a very exciting project. This is an opportunity, after an election, for the CLP to get right behind government, like we did with the railway, and say this is a great project for the Territory.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, order!
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, let us have bipartisan support for what is job creation, business opportunities and an enhancement of the Darwin lifestyle. It is great. Let us see the new CLP walk this extra mile and celebrate the waterfront.
Members: Hear, hear!
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016