New Darwin Civic Centre design unveiled

The City of Darwin has unveiled a proposal for a $150 million new civic centre, designed by CA Architects. Located on the southern point of the city's peninsula, the new building is intended to replace the city's existing hub, which has been in service for over 50 years.

Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis commented, "The new civic centre features a larger library with an expanded footprint, meeting rooms and function spaces that can be booked by the community, new council chambers, space for a cafe and an improved customer service centre."

In order for the current building and library to remain open throughout construction, the new civic centre is proposed to be constructed on the car park site adjacent to the existing building. Ten floors of the new 20-storey tower will accommodate City of Darwin offices, with two floors dedicated to customer service, the new library, a new function space with capacity for 300 attendees, council chambers, public meeting rooms and community space. The remaining ten floors are designated commercial office space and include 10,000 square metres of net lettable area.

Located within the entry courtyard of the current civic centre, Galamarrma, the Tree of Knowledge, will be retained and protected throughout the new building's construction. Being significant to both the Larrakia people and the culturally diverse Darwin community, the historic Banyan tree will be given prominence within the new community plaza design. The design of this plaza is aimed at transforming the entire precinct and enhancing the connection through to the nearby Civic Park.

In order to accommodate tourists and locals alike, the new building will also include a five-level contained carpark with approximately 400 car parking spaces for residents, workers and visitors.

According to a media communique from the City of Darwin, the council undertook an extensive community and stakeholder engagement process in February 2022 with Rossi Architects in order to develop the new civic centre's functional design brief.

Following an expressions of interest period in December 2023, local contractor DCOH has been selected to deliver the new civic centre. An application for development consent is soon to be lodged, with construction expected to commence in the 2025 dry season. The project is scheduled to be complete in 2028.