Darwin's new Lord Mayor, Peter Styles, has addressed community concerns, stating that the construction of the council's new civic centre will not affect funding for other major projects or the Cyclone Fina clean-up efforts.
Project Overview
The Darwin Civic Centre is a $150 million, 21-storey public-private development located in the CBD. Construction began late last year. Property developer DCOH is a part-owner and is responsible for the design and construction in collaboration with the council.
Community and Architectural Concerns
The project has faced criticism from local residents and the Australian Institute of Architects, who have raised concerns about the building's scale, intensity, and its integration with other structures in the area.
Councillor Julie Fraser noted that constituents expressed "legitimate concerns" regarding the financial implications for the council and potential impacts on priorities such as local infrastructure, climate resilience, and community services.
Lord Mayor's Reassurance
Lord Mayor Peter Styles, elected in August, stated that his initial concerns about the council's investment were resolved after thorough briefings upon taking office.
He affirmed that the project is beneficial for the City of Darwin and that the council has achieved "value for money."
Financial Details
In 2021, the City of Darwin committed $30 million to the redevelopment, increasing the budget to $78.5 million in 2024 as part of its 2030 municipal plan.
As of December, $19.5 million has been spent on the project since its consultation phase in 2022, with approximately $11 million spent in the past year. The current project budget is $77.6 million, with an additional $2 million allocated for "project contingency" costs.
Funding Allocation
Cr Styles confirmed that the civic centre's expenses, sourced from various council funds and territory government approval, would not impact other council projects.
"The civic centre's expenses, sourced from various council funds and territory government approval, would not impact other council projects, including the Cyclone Fina clean-up."
He emphasized that the council maintains a separate budget for other capital works, such as a $10 million allocation for the Darwin tip expansion and $3 million for a recreation space in the city's northern suburbs for 2025-26.
Construction Progress and Challenges
DCOH chief operations officer Lachlan Michell expects the building to be completed by 2028, with levels 15 and 16 projected to be in place by January 2027. The installation of a Lubeca Jumpform system marks a significant milestone.
The project has remained on schedule despite challenges including Cyclone Fina, wet season conditions, and a worker injury last month, where a 50-year-old worker sustained an arm injury. DCOH reported the incident to NT WorkSafe and is cooperating with the investigation, with the worker reportedly recovering well.
Commercial Leasing
Upon completion, DCOH will own the upper 10 floors, which are planned for lease as office space. Leasing proposals are currently out for five floors, with strong interest reported from local and interstate tenants. NTC Property is advertising about 11,000 square meters of space, described as being in the "prestigious eastern precinct of the CBD" and aiming for "premium rents."
Future of Current Chambers
The City of Darwin confirmed that its existing council chambers will be either fully or partly demolished after the new civic centre is operational. Consultations this year will determine the future of the site, with a focus on preserving a 100-year-old Banyan tree in the current building's courtyard.
Community and Commercial Spaces
400 square meters on the new civic centre's lower floors have been designated for "community-commercial" use. These spaces are intended for arts and cultural organizations, commercial entities requiring a small retail footprint, and community gathering areas for meetings and pop-up art installations.