The Territory Labor Government is revitalising and transforming Darwin’s CBD from ‘waterfront to waterfront’, to bring more people into the city, create local jobs and stamp Darwin’s position as the Capital of the North.

Government today announced it has partnered with the Cullen Bay Marina Management Corporation to revitalise, beautify and transform the popular Cullen Bay Marina Precinct as part of the revitalisation program (which starts at the Waterfront Precinct and follows a natural path to the extended CBD area at Cullen Bay Marina).

A $10 million capital grant to the Cullen Bay Marina Management Corporation is funding made available through specific infrastructure grant funding from 2017-18.

Transforming Cullen Bay will include greening, cooling and making the area more pedestrian friendly by connecting businesses with the Marina and the beach. It will work in tangent with Darwin’s Civic and State Square precinct revitalisation, which is being undertaken as part of the $200 million Cities Deal.

Work on revitalising Cullen Bay is expected to create 60-80 jobs, lift the attractiveness of the precinct and generate income for local businesses through increased visitation to restaurants and retail outlets.

Work is expected to begin by the end of the year with completion late next year.

A key election promise for the Territory Labor Government was the urban redevelopment and revitalisation of all towns and cities across the Territory. *

The redevelopment projects create local jobs and make more liveable centres for Territorians, as well as attract people from interstate to visit and live here.

Quotes from the Member for Port Darwin, Paul Kirby: 

“The Cullen Bay beautification project will create attractive, cool and shady precincts that along with the Waterfront, book end our wonderful CBD.

“There’s a natural flow from one to the other that will improve the liveability of the town and become even more of a draw card for families and tourists. 

“We promised to lift the CBD from waterfront to waterfront in Darwin and we’re delivering with areas that pay homage to our tropical lifestyle. 

“With 60-80 jobs supported during construction and the inevitable flow-on of increased trade and visitors, the beautification of Cullen Bay makes sense.”

Quotes from Cullen Bay Marina Management Corporation Chief Executive, Carmen King:

"Cullen Bay Marina Management Corporation is excited to partner with the NT Government to transform Cullen Bay into a family-oriented village with greatly improved pedestrian activation.

“Stage 1 of the beautification project is long overdue and will bolster Commercial trade and provide a needed connection to the CBD and waterfront.

“The completed project will complement the beautiful sunset grassed area and will enhance tourism and liveability in Darwin.”

Quotes from Activate Darwin advisory board member, Jason Hanna:

“Transforming public spaces is at the top of our agenda at Activate Darwin and this funding commitment will make a huge difference to Cullen Bay.

“If we want to encourage new residents and new businesses to invest in the city we need to make sure there are places for everyone to enjoy, from waterfront to waterfront.

“The focus on shade and greening and creating the right environment for year round events and activities will bring more people into the city.”

Quotes from Boatshed Coffee House owner, John Bonnin:

“Stakeholders in Cullen Bay have worked very hard for a long time to make their business dining and retail destinations in Darwin.

“This project will return Cullen Bay as an extension of the CBD and the Waterfront to destination status for both locals and tourists alike, as it was when it was first built.

“Cullen Bay is already but this investment will only increase visitation, and create a link from the Waterfront, through the CBD to Cullen bay, encouraging more foot traffic to the area.”

*See attachment for additional infrastructure the Territory Labor Government has invested in to beautify our urban centres since being elected in 2016.

**Also see attached concept images of the proposed revitalisation and beautification project.

Media contact: Hannah West 0436 641 108.