Darwin Council silent on whether DCOH will pay for parking shortfall at new civic centre
Darwin Council will not say if developer DCOH will pay the estimated $2.8 million car parking shortf
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Everyone knows this outrageous CoD $multi-million self-interested deal is dodgy, CoD LM Vatskalis & CEO Simone Saunders are known liars, bullies & manipulators. Vatskalis creates deals in secret, without community consultation, then bullies & defames Cr Amye Un because Amye asked to see tender documents. Vatskalis is addicted to power & control, perhaps a sign of insecurity? Or wilful disregard for the City of Darwin rate-payers? Remember COVID & the money transferred into mates accounts. Darwin lies & fraud like the Darwin Waterfront scandal. Darwin doesn’t offer enough to do to be as expensive as Sydney? No tolls at least.
The City of Darwin is on the brink of making a costly mistake. Rather than opting for a sensible and cost-effective renovation of the existing Civic Centre—estimated at approximately $25 million, including essential asbestos removal—the Council appears determined to pursue a vastly more expensive alternative: constructing an entirely new building at a cost likely to run into the tens of millions more.
With modern architectural techniques and materials, the current Civic Centre could be transformed into a striking, functional, and energy-efficient facility—one that meets contemporary standards while preserving ratepayer funds.
It is difficult to ignore the growing concern in the community: that this push for a new civic precinct may serve interests beyond the public good. The financial case for the new build remains vague and unconvincing, with cost estimates that appear fluid and insufficiently scrutinised. At best, the numbers are rubbery; at worst, they raise serious questions about transparency and accountability.
In an era when every public dollar must be stretched further, Darwin deserves leadership that places fiscal responsibility and community benefit above all else. The Council must explain, clearly and honestly, why it is choosing the most expensive path—and who stands to gain from it.