I have made the decision not to approve the rezoning of 16 and 25 Blake Street, The Gardens to Specific Use Zone. Rezoning would have facilitated high and medium density residential development.
I have not made this decision lightly. I have given careful consideration to a range of matters and have concluded this area should remain zoned for Community Purposes at this time.
My reasons for this decision include:
- the scale and density of the development, which does not fit with the existing character of The Gardens and therefore represents an overdevelopment of the site;
- the significance of the Botanic Gardens and how the development application has not given appropriate consideration to how it blends with the natural environment of this public space; and
- the lack of evidence the surrounding road network can accommodate the additional traffic the development would bring.
Projects that bring economic value to the NT should align with community expectations.
I have listened to the concerns of the community regarding this application.
Unlike the CLP, whose disregard for sound planning destroyed public confidence in the system, the Territory Labor Government listens to Territorians.
I have asked the Northern Territory Planning Commission to review the Darwin Inner Suburbs Area Plan that relates to this locality, in the context of my decision and to ensure the plan reflects current community values.
The Planning Commission will commence the review process in the current financial year and will engage with the community in reviewing the plan.
