Archive for year: 2020

Local jobs are set to flow from the next phase of construction of the Charles Darwin University (CDU) Education and Community Precinct in Darwin’s Central Business District, with Territory-based contractors appointed for design and construction works.

Building the world-class university campus is expected to provide a $600 million boost to the Darwin economy over a 30-year period.

Construction of the precinct will create 730 jobs and provide a long-term boost to local businesses like cafés, restaurants, bars and retail stores by attracting an influx of students and visitors.”

Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said it was critical that the city deal project provided a high level of local participation in the design and construction of the precinct.

“This is one of the most significant and unique construction projects to be undertaken in Darwin in recent times,” Mr Tudge said.

“As a project under the Darwin City Deal, local industry participation is a key priority to ensure and maximise benefits for Territory businesses and workers.

Chief Minister of the Northern Territory Michael Gunner said the precinct would be a major win for the Darwin economy.

“Local companies means local jobs – and we will see the economic benefits flow within the Territory.

“We want to get people into the guts of the city, and this project will do just that – while keeping Territorians in work along the way.

“Already local engineers, architects, town planners and tradespeople have benefitted from the project and this will increase further as construction ramps up over the coming months.”

Senator for the Northern Territory, Dr Sam McMahon said the precinct is the centrepiece of the Darwin City Deal, bringing together culture, education and urban living.

“Construction of the CDU city campus is a great example of a partnership between governments and the community to work towards a shared vision for productive and liveable cities,” Senator McMahon said.

“Getting on with the job of building city-shaping infrastructure like this for the Territory is important now more than ever, as we support jobs and stimulate the local economy as we recover from the pandemic.”

CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Maddocks said the university had worked with the Australian and Northern Territory governments through the City Deal to maximise the opportunities for local businesses.

“One of the key evaluation criteria for this contract required tenderers to demonstrate how their bids made maximum use of local consultants, contractors and suppliers,” Professor Maddocks said.

CDU has appointed Darwin construction company Halikos Pty Ltd for the first phase of the precinct’s construction and local architectural firm Mode Design Corp Pty Ltd as Principal Design Consultant (PDC).

“We are pleased to see local company Halikos awarded the first phase construction contract as they will be a key partner in our vision to help revitalise the city centre and secure the future of CDU,” Professor Maddocks said.

“The PDC will also work to broad principles aimed at creating modern learning facilities that will attract new students domestically and from overseas to study in a building that uses the latest green technology and science.”

This contract with Halikos covers work to finalise design development and provision of the Phase 2 contract for the construction and fit-out of the new building, including the two-level underground carpark, landscaping and public open spaces.

The PDC will be responsible for all aspects of the detailed design of the project.

The City Deal is a joint initiative of the Australian and Northern Territory governments and the City of Darwin.

The transformation of Darwin’s city centre is officially underway with construction commencing today on the $250 million Education and Community Precinct with Charles Darwin University (CDU).

The precinct is the centerpiece of the Darwin City Deal and will include state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities, an art gallery and a library.

The project will support hundreds of local jobs and has already ploughed financial stimulus into the NT economy through project contracts awarded to local companies.

NT business, DTA Contractors, will begin work on the precinct after winning the contract for site works and main building excavation, supporting up to 18 contractors working on site.

The precinct will create 350 on-site jobs and a further 380 jobs across the supply chain through to 2024, making it one of the biggest building projects undertaken in Darwin during recent times.

Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the start of construction activity means jobs and an economic boost for Darwin.

“Not only will this precinct provide invaluable education opportunities for generations, it will deliver economic benefits now and into the future for the NT,” Mr Tudge said.

“It will create unprecedented avenues for locals in the construction industry as well as architects and building engineers.”

Chief Minister of the Northern Territory Michael Gunner said this is just another part of our work to make sure the Territory bounces back strong after the coronavirus crisis.

“Getting major projects started as fast as possible allows for jobs to be created now, and for local businesses to be supported now,” Mr Gunner said.

Senator for the Northern Territory, Dr Sam McMahon said the City Deal was a joint initiative of the Australian and Northern Territory governments and the City of Darwin.

“The Australian Government’s decision to bring forward $74.8 million has enabled the excavation works to begin this year,” Senator McMahon said.

CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Maddocks said the awarding of the contract and breaking ground was a significant step forward for the project.

“This is the culmination of several years of work in collaboration with our partners,” Professor Maddocks said.

“This facility will build on our ability to meet future student demands while offering a state-of-the-art Education and Community Precinct for the Darwin community to come together and share ideas.”

Professor Maddocks said CDU had worked with the Australian and Northern Territory Governments through the City Deal process to maximise the opportunities for local businesses.

DTA Contractors Managing Director David Divilly, said the excavation contract would provide work for about 18 people.

“This work means I can keep my staff numbers up. You need a flow of projects to maintain staff levels and this excavation job means we can keep the team together, which might have been hard without it,” Mr Divilly said.

Charles Darwin University (CDU) has released the latest tender for the design of the $250 million Education and Community Precinct, a key element of the Darwin City Deal.

The 32,000-square-metre, seven-level project has moved through the masterplan, concept design and scheme design phases.

CDU is now advertising for a Principal Design Consultant and sub-consultants to progress the project through the design development and construction documentation phases.

Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said it was a major multi-million dollar contract that would span three years of work until the project was complete.

“That means jobs opportunities for architects and building engineers, but also highly specialised skills such as wind engineering, acoustics and wayfinding,” Mr Tudge said.

“Every local job we support means one less worry for another Australian and their family, more reliable work on the books for local companies and more cash flowing through local businesses and communities doing it tough due to COVID-19.

Chief Minister of the Northern Territory Michael Gunner said the Principal Design Consultant would need to have a strong presence in Darwin, continuing the Deal’s focus of creating local jobs using local businesses.

“Construction of this new precinct is expected to support 700 jobs and I want the majority of those jobs going to locals,” Mr Gunner said.

“The Territory is the nation’s comeback capital and will emerge from the coronavirus crisis with a jobs-led recovery.

“We threw the kitchen sink at saving jobs, and now we are on the road to recovery we will keep doing it with jobs.”

Senator for the Northern Territory Dr Sam McMahon welcomed the news, saying the new campus would be a game-changer for Darwin.

“Building this world-class university campus is also expected to provide a $600 million boost to the Darwin economy over a 30-year period, create an estimated 54 ongoing jobs every year and provide a long-term boost to local businesses,” Senator McMahon said.

“Through this City Deal, we are emphasising some of the best this great city has to offer while creating sustainable infrastructure and jobs to stimulate the local economy.

“That’s exactly what this precinct will do, by attracting more students to the city and allow the University to provide even more specialised courses.

“This means even more people will get a taste of what makes Darwin a great place to live, study and work and I am excited to see this major tender go out.”

CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Maddocks said the tender also outlined design principles that will help create contemporary learning spaces in an iconic building designed to incorporate the latest environmental technology and science.

“Principles include how to activate the precinct’s street fronts, creating safe and welcoming pedestrian links and how the use of small retail spaces, community activity zones, attractive seating and building entries can make a positive visitor experience,” Professor Maddocks said.

“Another principle covers how landscaping could create green walls as well as attractive and environmentally sustainable landscaping at ground level.

“The new Principal Design Consultant will be encouraged to engage with the Darwin Living Lab (DLL) and its work when developing heat mitigation, energy efficiency and smart building measures, as the new precinct represents an ideal opportunity to further our knowledge on these measures.”

The City Deal is a joint initiative of the Australian and Northern Territory governments and the City of Darwin.