It may be hyperbole, but little Darwin has been told by a close observer of Territory politics that proposed controversial changes to the NT Planning Scheme -changing the CBD from the so- called pyramid design to an overall uniform 90 metre maximum height- has the capacity to bring down the government. So insensed , he says , are influential members of the community over the proposed changes that they are “gunning “ for the government. It was claimed that come election time , some people, who formerly kicked in money to help the government, would either withhold funds, back the opposition or even field a sympathetic independent or two.
Intrigued by this statement, Little Darwin applied an elephantine ear to the ground to pick up the rumbles in the concrete jungle. Under the existing pyramid scheme , multi storey buildings were constructed in the centre with lower ones on the outskirts up to a maximum of 36 metres. The proposed uniform 90 metre blanket has many ramifications. For instance, building sites will soar in value because of the higher towers that can be constructed. More money for developers, architects, lobbyists, council rates. etc. While some can see megabucks , others are alarmed at the possible detrimental impact on the CBD . A meeting of developers to discuss the proposed amendments showed that there were mixed feelings. Hans Vos,of the think big school, said he did not think there should be any height restrictions. He likened the Darwin peninsula to New York’s Manhattan island, a part of the Big Apple which Rupert Murdoch laughingly describes as an Australian slum because of all the Aussie journalists who live there .
Intrigued by this statement, Little Darwin applied an elephantine ear to the ground to pick up the rumbles in the concrete jungle. Under the existing pyramid scheme , multi storey buildings were constructed in the centre with lower ones on the outskirts up to a maximum of 36 metres. The proposed uniform 90 metre blanket has many ramifications. For instance, building sites will soar in value because of the higher towers that can be constructed. More money for developers, architects, lobbyists, council rates. etc. While some can see megabucks , others are alarmed at the possible detrimental impact on the CBD . A meeting of developers to discuss the proposed amendments showed that there were mixed feelings. Hans Vos,of the think big school, said he did not think there should be any height restrictions. He likened the Darwin peninsula to New York’s Manhattan island, a part of the Big Apple which Rupert Murdoch laughingly describes as an Australian slum because of all the Aussie journalists who live there .
Another developer said Darwin was not ready for a vast area of high rise buildings. Well known developer and crocodile talent scout, Doug Gamble , said he feared the new code would result in high rises mainly being built along the coast which would turn Darwin into something like the Gold Coast, a mediaeval city with a wall around the outside and a dead centre.
In discussions Little Darwin had with various interested parties , a concerned person injected an exciting Hawaii Five-O note into the debate when he said the proposal would probably lead to the Hawaiian situation which saw taller and taller beachfront towers whacked up , stealing the amenity of the buildings behind them. Public submissions on the proposed building closed July 10 and the outcome will undoubtedly spark further lively debate.
