Planning a Tropical City

A major outcome of consultations about Creating Darwin’s Future was the need to prioritise Darwin’s development as a world class Tropical Harbour City.

In April this year, the Northern Territory Government in conjunction with the Darwin City Council brought together more than 180 leaders in urban planning, architecture, property, government and related industries to take part in a forum to chart the future of Darwin’s Central Business District (CBD).

Actions

The CBD Urban Planning Forum recommended a number of changes to the NT Planning Scheme. The Northern Territory Government and Darwin City Council have agreed on a set of priority actions to implement these changes:

Established an Urban Design Advisory Panel to achieve better building design on the Darwin peninsula. The Panel has been asked to provide advice on:

  - appropriate heights and setbacks for buildings in the CBD
  - plot ratios, open spaces and special merit exemptions
  - building performance controls and the size of the CBD
  - addressing anti-social behaviour through better design.
Proposed amendments to the NT Planning Scheme, including:

  - awnings for all new buildings in the CBD
  - 75 percent of site frontage in new developments be an
     ‘active interface’ with the street
  - better screening and design of car parking in new developments
  - using Darwin City Council’s Streetscape Strategy to ensure new      developments positively contribute to the streetscape.

CBD urban planning forum

The Forum was followed by two public feedback sessions. These consultations asked the questions:

• How should our city function?
• How do we achieve better building design?
• What should our streets, parks and open spaces look like?

Following public feedback, the Northern Territory Government and Darwin City Council have worked collaboratively to respond to these questions with real
initiatives to shape the future face of Darwin’s CBD.

Planning changes

New amendments to the NT Planning Scheme will:

• See 75 per cent of site frontages in new developments within the CBD offering an ‘active interface’ with the street or public realm.

• Mandate awnings to new buildings in the CBD – a proposal in line with the Darwin City Council’s Streetscape Strategy which is designed to improve the overall look and feel of the city. The awnings will offer weather protection for people working and shopping in the city.

• Require car parking for new developments to be hidden from view at ground level, which can be achieved by screening and improved design.

• In all current and future changes to the NT Planning Scheme, apply the principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design to control
and minimise anti-social behaviour in the CBD.

Urban design advisory panel

Drawn from local, interstate and international experts, the Panel gives advice to the Minister for Planning and Lands on amendments to the planning laws and on other design issues. Its members are:

• Professor Rob Adams, Director of Design and Culture for the City of Melbourne

• Leonard Lynch – NT group of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects

• Colin Browne – Royal Australian Institute of Architects

• Ross Finocchiaro – Property Council of Australia

• Vacant – NT Government Architect

• Brendan Dowd – Darwin City Council

• Mark Doonar – Tract Consultants, Brisbane

• Mark Meldrum – NT Department of Planning and Infrastructure

As a priority, the Minister has already sought advice from the Panel on changes which will ensure improved building design that focuses on environmental impact as well as aesthetic values.

Timeline

The Urban Design Advisory Panel has been established and is actively advising the Minister for Lands and Planning on a range of priority issues. The first reports are due back to Government – by September 2007.
The Government is inviting public comment on proposed amendments to the NT Planning Scheme by the end of September 2007. The proposals will then be subjected to the ordinary planning approval processes and are expected to be passed – by November
2007.
Darwin City Council has made a commitment to funding its Streetscape Strategy and to implementing a 5-year plan for streetscape upgrading to commence – from July 2008.
The Northern Territory Government is also actively considering further changes to planning controls to improve the look and functionality of the city centre.