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Final designs for Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) new Education and Community Precinct have been unveiled with final approvals now in place and construction set to start.

The $250 million project is the centrepiece of the Darwin City Deal and is a partnership of the Australian and Northern Territory governments and Charles Darwin University.

The project received conditional development approval in July last year and has now received the green light to proceed to construction.

Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the new precinct would provide a modern city campus for CDU, and a new purpose-built home for the Northern Territory Library and event spaces.

“This is a significant project for Darwin and the centrepiece of the $320 million Darwin City Deal, which is a 10-year plan to position Darwin as a vibrant and liveable tropical city with a diversified economy,” Minister Fletcher said.

“The Morrison Government has committed $97.3 million towards the new campus, which will include state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities, an art gallery and library that will be enjoyed by the local community and help boost Darwin’s competitiveness in the international education sector.”

The design features a striking facade designed to provide the best solar access to the heritage-listed Boab Tree on site, green wall elements and will host Northern Territory and CDU Libraries and the university’s Art Gallery.

The Boab Tree is the focal point of the design, creating a new public gathering space for the people of Darwin. The design caters to the Boab, with a sloping façade to ensure the tree is not overshadowed and gets enough sunlight, supporting the continued long life of this special city landmark.

The façade design by the Precinct’s architects, MODE, features a variety of landscaped terraces and sunshades as well as an old Darwin favourite – louvres – to best manage the heat load. These features manage the reflection off the building while maximising light and views inside.

Northern Territory Minister for Jobs and Training, the Hon Paul Kirby MLA, Northern Territory Minister for Jobs and Training, the Hon Paul Kirby MLA, said the Precinct will benefit local businesses and tradies while creating a more vibrant city centre.

“This Precinct is the centrepiece of the Darwin City Deal and forecast to inject $600 million into our economy, with the construction phase delivering 730 jobs,” Minister Kirby said.

“We want to boost the number of visitors coming into our CBD and this Precinct will also offer innovative learning areas, 232 underground car parking spaces, landscaped green space and the ability to support pop up community activities such as food trucks and events.”

Federal Senator for the Northern Territory, Dr Sam McMahon, said the new education and community precinct will attract students and business to the city centre.

“The precinct will integrate education and community facilities, as well as commercial and public spaces,” Senator McMahon said.

“Halikos has had workers on site since the start of the week in order to get as much work completed to avoid any further delays due to the wet season. As a result of this construction and other Federal Government work, Halikos is also now looking to expand its current staffing levels and is actively seeking more construction workers. This type of project creates jobs to keep our economy going in these times.”

The project team took the public feedback on the original design on board and spent many hours refining the design and addressing issues ranging from stormwater runoff to the aesthetics of the façade.

CDU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Scott Bowman, said the new campus would help cement Darwin as Northern Australia’s centre of education.

“This new campus will be the jewel in the revitalised Education and Community Precinct – supporting future jobs, education, new investment and future research,” Professor Bowman said.

“Being at the centre of this new precinct will help Charles Darwin University train and educate more Territorians – helping them get the skills and experiences they need to thrive in their local communities.”

The project team has collaborated with Darwin City Deal’s CSIRO Darwin Living Lab, another Darwin City Deal initiative, to make the building as energy efficient as possible and to ensure it is liveable and resilient in the face of Darwin’s hot climate.

National and international sustainability rating systems have been used by the design team for benchmarking to inform the selection of sustainability initiatives for the project.

Once complete at the end of 2023, the Precinct will house CDU’s Asia Pacific College of Business and Law, the College of Indigenous Futures, Education and the Arts, IT teaching, the university’s International College and Art Gallery.

Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) new city campus has reached a significant milestone this week with the excavation for the main Education and Community Precinct building completed ahead of schedule.

Carried out by Darwin business DTA Contractors, the excavation involved digging a 73-metre-wide and 71-metre-long hole to a depth of seven metres to accommodate a two-level basement carpark.

Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the new precinct is the centrepiece of the Darwin City Deal.

“The new precinct is one of the most significant construction projects in Darwin for a long time, delivering state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities, an art gallery and library that will open up remarkable opportunities for students and the broader community,” Minister Fletcher said.

“Territorians will continue to see new jobs and more cash flowing across local businesses as we continue to progress projects under the Darwin City Deal.”

Northern Territory Minister for Jobs and Training, the Hon Paul Kirby MLA, said the project is a major win for local jobs and the NT economy.

“The Education Precinct is the centrepiece of the Darwin City Deal, with the construction phase delivering 730 jobs, and the precinct forecast to provide a $600million boost to our economy,” Minister Kirby said.

“It is also backing local business and keeping Territory tradies in jobs – and this is why this precinct is so important for the Territory’s economic comeback.

“We need to get more people into the heart of our city and position Darwin as a world-class spot to study, upskill and reskill.”

Senator for Northern Territory, Senator Dr Sam McMahon, said all on-site works have been delivered by Territory businesses so far, with excavation alone supporting the employment of 50 local workers.

“I am very pleased to see this exciting project for Darwin is already providing local job opportunities, which means much-needed employment and economic stimulus for the Territory at such a critical time in our recovery from the impacts of COVID-19,” Senator McMahon said.

“The progress already made is nothing short of spectacular and a sign of the transformational impacts this Deal is having, with excavation alone removing 37,170 cubic metres of soil from the site, which is the equivalent of more than 14 Olympic-sized swimming pools.”

CDU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Scott Bowman AO, said being in the heart of the city means the university will become more accessible for the community and important stakeholders in government and business.

“Increasing engagement with the local community with a city campus is a priority for the university,” Professor Bowman said.

“So many of the Darwin community have or are attending CDU, and it is a lot easier to keep that bond with the local community if we are right in the middle of the city promoting our work and specialities.”

Detailed design of the project is being finalised, and CDU and consultant partners are working together to meet the conditions of its development approval.

The construction phase of the project is expected to begin in the middle of the year and run until late 2023.

Once complete, the Precinct will house CDU’s Asia Pacific College of Business and Law, the College of Indigenous Futures, Arts and Society, IT teaching, the university’s International College and Art Gallery.

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.