The Chief Minister Paul Henderson today announced that Weddell would be the Territory’s new city.

 

Speaking to an audience of business and community leaders in Darwin, Mr Henderson said an estimated 10,000 blocks of land catering for a population of some 40,000 people would make up the new city that would be situated just south of Palmerston

 

“Weddell will be the site of the Territory’s fourth city. Planning for the development of the site is now underway with the first blocks likely to be turned off in 5 years,” Mr Henderson said.

 

“This will follow the development of four more suburbs in Palmerston and the new suburb of Muirhead in Darwin. With the settling of the Kenbi Land Claim development will be able to proceed in the medium to longer term on Cox Peninsula.

 

“That means the future direction of growth for the greater Darwin and Palmerston area can now be determined for the next decade and beyond.

 

“The new city will have environmental considerations built in to transport, carbon footprint and recycling.

 

“Of course the new city will need services and infrastructure like schools, shops, electricity, parks, sporting grounds and roads and the challenge of providing for these will be part of our vital planning work into the future.”

 

The Chief Minister briefed business and community leaders on the results of intense planning work undertaken by Government.

 

“The Territory has a growing economy and population – and this Government is undertaking comprehensive planning to cater for this growth,” Mr Henderson said.

 

“The population of Greater Darwin and Palmerston is projected to increase by 19,000 to 133,000 in 2013, by 39,000 to 154,000 by 2021, an increase of 34 per cent.  In 2030 the population is forecast to be 177,000 – an increase of 63,000 from 2006—or 55 per cent.

“Much of this growth will be housed in Palmerston and Weddell.

 

“As a result of this growth it is estimated that the Territory Government will need to provide:

 

• 1700 new dwellings of housing per year;

·        Providing schools to service more than 7000 new students requiring approximately 430 additional teachers;

·        172 additional police;

·        293 additional nurses; and

·        54 additional doctors.

·        We will need an additional 121 hospital bed places.

“This growth in services will also be matched by a major growth in the regions which is also being addressed by the Government,” Mr Henderson said.

 

“While there is no doubt that the global financial crisis will impact on the Territory no where else in Australia is looking forward to growth and expansion like the Territory…and this Government is planning today to meet those needs.”

 

Contact: Geoff Fraser 0407 360 256