Security for Mall rejected
A GOVERNMENT proposal to increase city security has been snubbed by Darwin Council, despite an offer for the government to foot half the bill.
The Sunday Territorian understands the proposal, submitted to council’s confidential hearing on Tuesday night from the Activate Darwin committee, would have seen security at the Darwin Waterfront extended through to Knuckey St and Austin Lane at a cost of approximately $80,000.
Restaurateur Jason Hanna said it was disappointing the proposal wasn’t adopted.
A GOVERNMENT proposal to increase city security has been snubbed by Darwin council, despite an offer for the government to foot half the bill.
The Sunday Territorian understands the proposal, submitted to council’s confidential hearing on Tuesday night from the Activate Darwin committee, would have seen security at the Darwin Waterfront extended through to Knuckey St and Austin Lane at a cost of approximately $80,000.
Restaurateur Jason Hanna said it was disappointing the proposal wasn’t adopted but was confident council and the government would come to an agreement.
“From what I can gather it was looking to take advantage of resources, information and staffing at the Waterfront and bring some of that into the city,” he said.
“The Waterfront has got a great model, people think there’s no trouble down there but it’s because they’ve got a great team of cleaners, rangers, admin staff.
“Knocking back any security is a concern (but) hearing more about the facts and talking to the aldermen, you can tell it was just something they were surprised by.
“There will be a presentation to council at the next meeting — we can hopefully see council take a bit of leadership in this role.”
Police Minister Nicole Manison said it was disap
“We need to work together to make the CBD safer” POLICE MINISTER NICOLE MANISON
pointing council rejected the trial given the government offered to pay for half of the project.
“The Territory Government does its part by funding police, the Larrakia Day and Night Patrol and supporting business to improve their security,” she said.
“The Council needs to do their part and fund this trial … we need to work together to make the CBD a safer place.”
Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said the idea initially came from another council project, which saw a roving patrol put into the Smith St Mall after hours following a failed parking trial at the West Lane carpark.
“Council, on the first meeting in April, decided to redirect funding to a trial patrolling at the mall, that is here, it’s happening as we speak, we’re putting in place patrols in the mall,” he said.
“NTG realised it was a good idea, they wanted to be a part of it.”
Council has not yet committed to a partnership on the project, hoping to see more details from the Government.