CITY CAMPUS FAST TRACKED

Feds spend $75 million to start build next month

CONSTRUCTION of the CBD’s Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) Education and Community Precinct will start next month – a year ahead of schedule – with the federal government announcing it is fast-tracking $75 million in funding for the project.

The funding is not related to yesterday’s $150 million NAIF deal.

Population, Cities & Urban Infrastructure Minister Alan Tudge said the federal government has decided to fast track $74.8 million in federal funding to accelerate construction to help the Territory’s struggling economy.

The fast-tracked funds are part of the federal $97.3 million commitment to build the new precinct. Country Liberal Party Senator for the Northern Territory Sam McMahon said fast tracking the funding will bring jobs online months earlier than planned with an expected 700 positions to be supported during construction — 300 onsite and 400 across the supply chain.

“It is fantastic that construction of the new precinct will now start this year to underpin jobs and bolster the local economy and businesses at such a critical time,” senator McMahon said.

“This new precinct will help us meet future student demands while offering a stateof-the-art learning facility for the Darwin community to come together and share ideas.”

Mr Tudge said the federal government recognises every single job will make a world of difference to the Territory.

“Bringing forward this federal money, means we’re bringing forward construction, which means for jobs for Darwin and the Top End right now,” he said. “It’s close to $75 million for the NT economy at a time when communities and businesses are reeling from the impacts of COVID-19.

“It’s also great news that $150 million was made available to the project through the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.”

The NAIF funding was announced Friday by the Federal Minister for Northern Australia Keith Pitt.

The CDU project is expected to be completed in 2023.