Property Council welcomes draft Council Budget

Property Council welcomes draft Council BudgetThe Property Council of Australia is putting its support behind the City of Darwin’s Draft 2015/2016 Municipal Plan and Annual Budget.Property Council NT Director Ruth Palmer welcomed the draft plan as it contains acceptable increases to rates and on-street car parking charges while having a focus on reenergising the City Centre.”The Draft plan has injected $1.5 million into delivering key projects identified in the Darwin City Centre Masterplan,” Ms Palmer said. “The Darwin City Centre Masterplan was supported by the Property Council and it is great to see works starting on these projects and we look forward to them coming to fruition.”This investment will see the completion of Tamarind Park; a play space at Bicentennial Park; and a Smith Street upgrade aimed to boost economic activity and make access to the City Centre even easier. The Property Council has long advocated for implementation of the Masterplan. “By reenergising the city, you are making it attractive not only for tourists but for workers, and people who want to live here.” Ms Palmer said. “The projects in the plan will help ensure that Darwin can become a competitive alternative for international business and will secure our links to the economies and culture of South East Asia.”We have always held the view that the Darwin City Centre needs to be the primary employment and entertainment hub for the greater Darwin region. Capital cities are the engine rooms of the economy. We look forward to seeing the Darwin City Masterplan finalised and implemented.”Media contact: Ruth Palmer | M 04 428 314 | E [email protected]