Unprecedented Investment Outlined in 2019/2020 Municipal Plan

City of Darwin has today released their draft 2019/2020 Municipal Plan and Annual Budget, outlining an unprecedented $53.07M investment in community infrastructure, smart technology and environmental initiatives.

This expenditure is more than double Council’s average expenditure of $23.5M each year over the past 5 years.

Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said “City of Darwin is implementing a new vision for our city and expenditure in the Budget focusses on five strategic directions to create a city that is vibrant, creative, innovative, connected, healthy and environmentally responsible.”

“These strategic directions focus on putting Darwin First and underpin Council’s ambitions for our City’s future - to be strong, sustainable and smart,” said Lord Mayor Vatskalis. 

Key projects under these strategic directions include - 

o    Sustainable Infrastructure - $2.5M for stage 2 of the Lakeside Drive upgrade project

o    Safe, Liveable and Healthy - $3.3M to deliver lighting at key urban ovals  

o    Cool, Clean and Green - $22.45M for the Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility 

o    Smart and Prosperous - $1.8M for LED street lighting 

o    Vibrant and Creative – nearly $2M for public art and community support.

“I continue to be passionate about the beautification and greening of our city and I’m delighted to announce significant funding of $4.7M in this area, said Lord Mayor Vatskalis. 

“Over the next 12 months Council will be planting an additional 4,000 trees across Darwin, beautifying Daly Street and spending more than $1.5M to improve streetscapes in our suburbs.”

In line with Council’s Long Term Financial Plan, there will be a 3 per cent rate rise, with average household rates increasing by $53 a year, or around $1.00 a week.  This level of rate rise is important for Council’s long term sustainability.

“This is an exciting time for Darwin and for Council,” said Lord Mayor Vatskalis “our draft 2019/20 Municipal Plan and Budget represents a significant investment in our community and our local economy, providing a strong foundation for Darwin’s long term future.

Council will continue to collaborate and partner with the Northern Territory and Federal Governments, peak industry groups and key stakeholders across Darwin to address and resolve challenges in a positive and productive way for the betterment of our community.

The DRAFT 2019/20 City of Darwin Municipal Plan was endorsed at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 14 May 2019 and is available for public display and submissions from Wednesday 15 May 2019 to Friday 7 June 2019, a period of 23 days.

All feedback will be considered by Council in adopting of the final 2019/20 Municipal Plan at the Ordinary Council Meeting scheduled to be held on Tuesday 25 June 2019.  The Rates Declaration and adoption of the Annual Budget will also occur at this meeting.