From NT News April 20
GARY SHIPWAY
City of Darwin says it is confident that the proposed $150m redevelopment
providing Darwin with a new civic centre and office tower is in alignment
and compliance with the Local Government Act and other applicable
legislation and requirements.
The council says contingencies and risks have been factored into the
project plan allaying concerns and questions asked about any cost
overruns and their impact on ratepayers.
A City of Darwin spokesman pointed to the fact that the new Civic Centre
project had been in planning for over four years, and the final
procurement process had independent probity oversight in place to ensure
all requirements were met.
“We are confident that the proposed redevelopment and associated
infrastructure is in alignment and compliance with the Local Government
Act and other applicable legislation and requirements,” the spokesman
said.
“As with all City of Darwin projects, contingencies and risks have been
factored into the project plan and will be managed accordingly throughout
the life of the project.
“City of Darwin’s investment of $77m into the new Civic Centre is
comprised of both reserves and external borrowings.
“The use of the $30m in carparking reserves and $17m in sale of land
reserves is undertaken in compliance with the legislative and restriction
requirements for these types of reserves.
“The use of borrowings for the new Civic Centre means that build costs are
allocated across multiple future years and ensures intergenerational
equity, reducing the reliance on current ratepayer revenue.”
Opponents to City of Darwin’s new civic centre filed an application during
the week in the Federal Court requesting the disclosure of council
20/04/2025, 10:39 Northern Territory News
https://todayspaper.ntnews.com.au/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&edid=18fc2a9c-5857-41b7-811c-846e1fca38b4 1/2
documents relating to the 21-storey, $150m development.
The Federal Court application of disclosure was made by Darwin legal firm
De Silva Hebron on behalf of Nourse Nominees; Liveris Nominees; Civitas
Properties Pty Ltd, and Rapid Form Systems.
A member of the group said they were concerned that the project would
cost more than the $150m.
“The council has never answered what will it do if there is a cost overrun,”
they said.
“We want to know what contingencies are in place … will they levee
ratepayers or will they absorb it within their own financial mechanisms?”
City of Darwin says financially it is much better to have the new
development now with running costs for the current building around
$1.5m a year to keep it operational.
It says the new building will be more environmentally efficient and
cheaper to run.
See original content here: https://planinc.org.au/civic-centre-redevelopment/