Darwin Museum Plan Welcomed

The Territory Opposition has given the Martin Government a mixed report card on its Creating Darwin's Future.

"I'm delighted by the decision to create a world class World War 11 Museum to commemorate the defence of the top end but disappointed at the proposed location of the Museum next to Parliament House,” says Terry Mills, Deputy Opposition Leader.

"To my mind the existing museum at East Point would be a far better location for a World War 11 Museum.

"East Point is an important historical site and evidence of the defence of the top end remains – you can't buy authenticity.

"Establishing the Museum at East Point would also have the benefit of opening Darwin up to visitors – extending the vision beyond the city. The drive from town to East Point, with its dazzling glimpses of the sea, is genuinely beautiful and a great selling point for Darwin.

"The proposed site of the museum next to Parliament House also seems flawed to me.

"It flies in the face of the Chief Minister's pledge to 'protect and expand green open spaces to surround the Darwin city peninsula'.

"Further diminishing the already limited amount of open space in the CBD is very short-sighted for a city hoping to increase the numbers of residents living in town.

"The ribbon of green is an excellent idea and I can see no reason for hacking a prime piece out of it.

"I'm also concerned the Chief Minister intends to wash her hands of the plight of the Mall.

"The Mall is central to a city vision and strong leadership is needed to restore its place as the centre of the CBD.

"Turning her back on the Mall will undermine the wider vision the Chief Minister is trying to develop. As difficult as it may be the Chief Minister needs to make the Mall a focus of future plans for Darwin.

"It was September last year that this consultation process was initiated. I hope the Government will move more decisively on implementing its plan that it was in developing it.”

2007-08-28