2012
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Please contact the Media Manager for further information about the Department of Lands and Planning news, media releases or other activities:
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Young people to benefit from Drive Safe NT
The Territory Government is giving young people the tools to get a car licence and be safer road users through the $2 million driver education program, DriveSafe NT.
Minister for Transport, Gerry McCarthy, said the initiative was available to drivers aged 16 to 25 who are keen to get a licence and learn safe driving skills.
“This innovative program will give young Territorians the opportunity to learn the road rules, develop safe driving practices and attitudes at the beginning of their driving careers. Having a licence would also improve employment prospects, so this is a valuable initiative all round,” he said. Media Release
Greater Darwin is growing - safely sharing our roads.
Greater Darwin is growing. With lots of major projects and construction underway, there are more heavy vehicles sharing our road network.
Road trains can be up to 50 metres long, and we all need to do our part to share the road safely.
The Territory Government is investing in major projects to improve our road network across the region.
We’re also working with industry, schools and other organisations to spread the message about sharing the road around heavy vehicles. Further Information on Traffic Management Plan
Cullen Bay Sea Wall Maintenance Works
Construction work will commence on the installation of new fuel tanks at Cullen Bay on Thursday 26 April 2012. There will be changes to the traffic flow/direction around the Cullen Bay Ferry Terminal during the tank installation and restrictions on car parking.
Funding injection for Katherine roads
More than $2.2 million will be spent on upgrades and maintenance to the roads in the Katherine region in the Territory Government’s Budget 2012, Minister for Lands and Planning Gerry McCarthy said. Read the Media Release
$28 million Central Australian roads boost
Locals, freight companies and tourists are set to benefit from a $28 funding injection into Central Australian roads in Budget 2012, Minister for Lands and Planning Gerry McCarthy announced today. Read the Media Release
$28 million in housing for Territory families
The Territory Government is helping families get ahead with a $28 million investment across affordable and social housing and release projects as part of the upcoming 2012 Budget, Treasurer Delia Lawrie said. Media Release
Have your say on Darwin’s future
Minister for Lands and Planning, Gerry McCarthy has announced that the public and stakeholders would get an additional two weeks to comment on the Territory Government’s proposed Greater Darwin Plan. Mr McCarthy said the comment period was scheduled to close this Friday, however he wanted to ensure everyone had ample time to share their opinions. “This plan will guide Greater Darwin construction and planning for decades to come so it’s important that the public, including our new council members, have an opportunity to comment,” he said. Media Release
Building confidence boost from January 1
Minister for Lands and Planning Gerry McCarthy has announced that builders and consumers will receive a confidence boost from 1 January, 2013, when the Residential Building Cover package begins. Mr McCarthy said building a new home was a significant investment for families and given expected Territory growth, all parties needed to be protected. “As we enter the next stage of Territory growth we need to ensure that home buyers and builders feel confident that they are protected from unforeseen circumstances during construction,” he said. Media Release
Kilgariff Area Plan Unveiled
An area plan of Alice Springs’ newest suburb, Kilagriff, was today released as construction of the eagerly awaited development continues to go full steam ahead. Mr McCarthy said the release of the Kilgariff Area Plan provided an overarching framework for development of the 180 hectare site. “The Territory Government is delivering this estate in line with its 2030 target to support population growth and get families into affordable, quality housing,” he said. Media Release
Greater Darwin planning for future commuter light rail
Chief Minister Paul Henderson today inspected Darwin’s future light rail corridors as part of the Territory Government’s plan to gear up for growth. The Chief Minister said light rail is a long term public transport option highlighted in the Greater Darwin Plan.
“Darwin is set to grow by up to 70 000 extra people over the next 15 years and we’re planning now to ensure we can accommodate this extra population growth with a world-class public transport network,” Mr Henderson said. Media Release
More housing options to fuel the Territory’s Growth
Chief Minister Paul Henderson has announced a new housing initiative as part of the Territory Government’s strategic housing package.
The Territory Government is proposing to introduce a Dual Occupancy option to give owners of residential blocks of at least 1000 square metres the opportunity to build a second residential dwelling onsite, as part of a plan to give Territorians more options in the housing market. “Major resource projects are set to turbo-charge the Territory economy, and we are ready with a range of housing options to meet the pressures of growth,” Mr Henderson said. Media Release | More information on the Planning Scheme Amendment process | Dual Occupancy Factsheet
Greater Darwin Set for Growth
Chief Minister Paul Henderson has released the Greater Darwin Plan, a strategic framework that will guide the growth of Darwin City and surrounding region. Mr Henderson said the Greater Darwin Plan was strategically formulated in line with Territory 2030 growth targets and feedback sourced through community consultation last year. “It’s important we plan for that growth and introduce infrastructure that suits the individual needs and requirements of communities in order to maintain our great Territory lifestyle,” Mr Henderson said. More Information
Short Stay Accommodation Village
On 23 January 2012, the Territory Government announced the calling of interest in developing Section 4445 Hundred of Bagot, Batten Road site under a Crown lease term, for a short stay workers accommodation village to provide housing options for key service workers and people on short term postings to Darwin.
Registration to participate in this Government initiative closed 30 January 2012. An Industry Briefing was conducted for those who registered on 2 February 2012. Registrations after this date cannot be accepted.
The closing date for the lodgment of proposals is Friday 9 March 2012, 2:00pm CST. Proposals submitted after the closing date will not be considered.
For further details:
Email: SSAVRFP@nt.gov.auVisit: Department of Lands and Planning
2nd Floor,Cavenagh House
38 Cavenagh Street
DARWIN NT 0800
Getting Set for Territory Growth
The Territory Government has released three long-term strategies to guide infrastructure investment to support the Territory’s growth.
Minister for Lands and Planning Gerry McCarthy said the 10-year Infrastructure, Roads and Transport strategies were part of the Territory 2030 roadmap to maintain high levels of investment in infrastructure to underpin long-term development and expansion. Media Release
Road rule changes to improve motoring safety
Changes to Northern Territory road rules come into effect today to create a safer road environment. Most of the modifications are only slight variations that clarify the details of 80 existing rules. The key changes include: SEATBELTS: The driver is to ensure that all passengers in the car are wearing a seatbelt. If all the seatbelts are in use no extra unrestrained passengers can travel in the vehicle. Read the Media Release.
Fishos to benefit from improved roads
The NT Government has announced plans to complete significant maintenance work to Namarada Drive in the popular fishing community of Dundee Beach, and upgrades to crossings along Fog Bay Road. The work delivers on the Territory Government’s commitment to progressively seal Fog Bay Road, and ultimately improve access to Bynoe Harbour and the Finniss River. Media Release
Road safety cameras new to Alice Springs
The first red light and speed cameras in Alice Springs have been installed at the Larapinta Drive, Stuart Highway and Stott Terrace intersection. The two cameras are located on the Stuart Highway on the northern and southern approaches to the intersection. The junction is the busiest in the town and is characterised by a high volume of traffic moving in different directions, including turning vehicles. Media Release
Edith River bridge open
The Edith River high-level bridge, north of Katherine on the Stuart Highway, has re-opened to vehicle traffic. The Edith River was subject to an extreme flooding event in late December 2011 caused by Tropical Cyclone Grant. Huge volumes of water had washed through the area and the Edith River high-level bridge was badly damaged. Repairs required to the bridge were substantial and crews have been working very hard to repair the bridge as quickly as possible and re-open it to vehicle traffic. Speed restrictions will be in place for both the high-level and low-level bridge until repairs to the railway line are complete. Motorists are urged to drive through the area with care and observe all signs. For road updates, free call 1800 246 199 or go to the Road Report Website at www.roadreport.nt.gov.au. Media Release.
Time Theatre Production: The Road, A Car, A Bad Decision
Nearly 3500 senior students from across Darwin, Palmerston and Katherine will attend the road safety theatre production, Time. This thought-provoking dance-based drama, choreographed by Joanna Noonan, focuses on the impact on family and friends of a death from a serious car crash after five teenage friends make the bad decision to drive after drinking. Department of Lands and Planning Manager Road Safety Education, Shaan Myall, said the target audience—people under the age of 25—are three times more likely to be killed or seriously injured on Territory roads than other road users. Media Release
Gas Plant Construction Set to Start
The Territory Government given development consent for the multi-billion dollar Ichthys gas plant at Blaydin Point. This follows the announcement last week that the Ichthys Final Investment Decision is locked in. Acting Chief Minister Delia Lawrie today also announced that an offer for a Crown Lease on the project site had been made. This will enable construction of the LNG onshore processing facility at the Blaydin Point site, provided the project meets the conditions set. Media Release
New transit centre opens at Humpty Doo
A new $900,000 park and ride bus interchange has opened at Humpty Doo. The new park and ride facility will offer 12 bus travel options per weekday, as well as six on Saturday. Rural area residents will pay $4 for a standard return trip to the Darwin and Palmerston CBD, enjoy free bus services to big events such as the Darwin Show and have the option to leave their car at the secure site.
Ichthys Accommodation Village gets development approval
The Territory Government has announced the development approval required for the Ichthys Project to proceed with construction of its accommodation village at Howard Springs has been granted. Chief Minister Paul Henderson announced the Territory Government has approved an exceptional development permit for the Howard Springs accommodation village which will house the fly-in-fly-out workforce required to build the LNG plant. Media Release
Increased heavy vehicle traffic on NT highways
Due to the recent damage to the Edith River Rail Bridge near Katherine, there is likely to be an increase in heavy vehicles using the Stuart Highway. Road users are reminded of the need to safely share our roads and highways with trucks and road trains. Please be aware of the increased number of these vehicles until the rail bridge is open.