The Property Council Australia has today called on the Northern Territory Government to deliver a comprehensive and up to date Metro Plan for the Darwin region.
The population of the Darwin region (including Palmerston and Litchfield) is projected to grow to an estimated 189,000 by 2026. This is a significant increase (56%) relative to the region’s population of 120,652 in 2008.
Ms Karen White, Property Council NT Executive Director said: “As the population of Darwin continues to grow, we need a thorough plan to cater for this growth.”
“The Northern Territory Government will be releasing its Territory 2030 Strategy shortly and we would like it to include a commitment to produce a comprehensive Metro Plan for Darwin”.
“The Property Council highlighted the need for a plan such as this in its Submission to the Territory 2030 strategy. Investors and the community alike need to know where future transport routes, land uses and infrastructure will be located”.
The key elements that a Metro Plan would need to bring together are:
1. Population: population growth and demographic change.
2. Land use: land use including the identification of growth centres and areas suitable for increased residential density or urban infill.
3. Infrastructure: planned road and essential services infrastructure.
4. Land release: planned and sequenced release of greenfield residential and industrial land.
5. Climate change: plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and respond to the impacts of climate change.
6. Public transport: targets for public transport patronage and identification of future public transport corridors.
7. Community space: public open space and community facilities.
8. Urban design: urban design that is uniquely Darwin.
The Rudd Government has recently set out its reform agenda for capital cities, and is considering linking future infrastructure funding to a city’s long-term plan for growth. Darwin and Canberra are the only Australian capital cities that do not have documented Metro Plans that address the Rudd Government’s criteria.
“It would be a shame if the Northern Territory missed out on Federal funds for the want of a cohesive plan,” said Ms White
“We are aware that the Northern Territory Government is working on separate plans for land use, transport, climate change and infrastructure. These are all pieces of a bigger puzzle that needs to be put together for the community to review and discuss,“ said Ms White.
For more information contact:
Karen White, NT Executive Director, Property Council of Australia 0438 822 952
