Darwin Development Projects Uncosted

The Opposition welcomes the opportunity for community consultation on Creating Darwin's Future but questions the almost complete absence of costings for any of projects.

"To make informed choices about the future development of Darwin you must have some idea of the relative cost of the various projects proposed in the documents,” says Jodeen Carney, Opposition Leader.

"Otherwise it's like doing the rounds of houses for sale without knowing the price of the properties you're inspecting and no idea of how much money the bank will lend you.

"It's called whistling in the dark and it's no way to plan the future development of Darwin.

"I'm the first to admit Creating Darwin's Future contains plenty of good ideas, many previously advocated by the CLP, but that's but a very small first step.

"The Government must get to work developing comprehensive costings of all the proposals outlined and provide a realistic indication of just how much money will be available for the future development of Darwin.

"Until proper costing and financing details are made available the public has the right to be sceptical about the Martin Government's capacity to deliver.

"Indeed the plans state that the upgrading of Tiger Brennan Drive is a medium term proposal. Yet the promise to upgrade that section of road is more than two years old and the Martin Government hasn't been able to come up with its half of the cost.

"Equally jarring is the extensive range of harbour, foreshore and waterfront developments included but no mention of what's to be done about the infamous poo shooter discharging raw sewage at Lamaroo Beach.

'”Not to mention the cost cutting exercise the Government has just embarked upon by closing the after hours Farrar medical centre.

"Glossy brochures and good ideas are fine but what's it going to cost”

2006-10-11