Message from the Lord Mayor

Monday 15th March 2010

As we are all aware Darwin and the Top End has a high percentage of people who are homeless or without shelter. The State of Australian Cities Report released on 5 March 2010 shows that Darwin has a substantially higher rate of homelessness, 276 people per 10,000 population.

Darwin City Council in partnership with the community services sector is proud to host the Northern Territory’s inaugural Homeless Connect Darwin event, on World Health Day, Wednesday 7 April 2010...

• Read the entire Message from the Lord Mayor

Latest News 

Week commencing Monday 22nd March 2010

Chan Ward By-Election, Saturday 17 April 2010

Mr Bill Shepheard, the Returning Officer for the Darwin City Council Chan Ward by-election, advises that polling day will be held on Saturday 17 April 2010.

Mr Shepheard said, “This by-election only affects residents within the Chan Ward which includes the suburbs of Coconut Grove, Nightcliff, Rapid Creek, Millner, Jingili and Moil.

Eligible electors within these suburbs must be correctly enrolled and are required to vote.”

The roll for this by-election closes at 5pm Tuesday 16 March 2010. Anyone who needs to enrol for the first time or update their address has until this date to enrol. To check current enrolment details visit www.aec.gov.au or call 13 23 26.

Enrolment forms are available from Electoral Commission offices, Post Offices, Council offices and the Northern Territory Electoral Commission website www.ntec.nt.gov.au.

• For more information...

Homeless Connect Darwin

Wednesday 7 April 2010 - World Health Day

Finn & Trevor work on a poster to promote Homeless Connect Darwin

Darwin City Council in partnership with the community services sector is proud to host the Northern Territory’s inaugural Homeless Connect Darwin event, on World Health Day, Wednesday 7 April 2010.

The Homeless Connect Darwin event is dedicated to providing a wide range of health, wellbeing and support services in one place for people who are homeless or without shelter in the Darwin area by removing barriers of access and through strong partnerships

• For more information...

Darwin City Council supports Earth Hour

Earth Hour is an annual global event organized by the World Wildlife Fund to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change. This year Earth Hour takes place at 8.30pm on Saturday 27th March 2010.

In 2009 hundreds of millions of people around the world showed their support by turning off their lights for one hour. Earth Hour 2010 will continue to be a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community. A call to stand up, to show leadership and be responsible for our future.

Darwin City Council is supporting this event and while maintaining security, will reduce lightening in its buildings for Earth Hour 2010. Throughout 2010 Council will be undertaking a range of energy and emissions reduction projects as part of its commitment to Climate Change and Environment.

The new Earth Hour Australia website will be your access to information and tools to help make Earth Hour 2010 a success. For more information or to register your interest please go to the website www.earthhour.org.au.

Earth Hour is an opportunity to have fun and organise various events such as - candlelight dinners, picnics with friends, or having spooky stories with your children in the dark for an hour.

Council Walkway Decision

During the First Ordinary Council Meeting on 9th March 2010, Council decided in DECISION NO.20\2543 to permanently open Walkway 102, Rosella Crescent to Vanderlin Drive, Wulagi.

• For more information on recent Walkway decisions...

Submissions are invited for the Community Grants Program

Darwin City Council’s Community Grants Program provides up to $100,000 of funding per year for projects or events directly benefit the Darwin community.  The funds are distributed in two rounds of funding.

Submissions are now invited from community organisations for funding of projects occurring in the second half of 2010 (1 July 2010 – 31 December 2010) through the first round of the 2010/2011 Community Grants Program.

• For more information...

Applications close on Friday 9 April 2010.

Parking Infringement Locations

Are you interested in where most parking infringements occur?

• Parking Infringements by Street

Veteran Returns to Secret Base

George Thompson a returning veteran for the 68th Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin served at Truscott airbase on the Anjo Peninsular. Today the Base is used by Shorelands to supply oil and gas exploration in the Timor Sea.

Shorelands Group kindly flew George to Truscott and arranged a tour of the area. George was almost moved to tears as the memories of the war years and old mates came flooding back.

George Thompson (WWII B-24) explains to Daniel (Hardy Aviation Pilot) how the B-24 crashed.

The ball turret from the belly of the B-24. The ball-turret gunner scheduled for this flight was pulled at the last minute and the replacement gunner perished in the crash. The B-24 was fully loaded with bombs and mines.

9:58 AM - We Remember

The Commemoration of the 68th Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin

This year marks the 68th Anniversay of the Bombing of Darwin. Darwin City Council conducts a Commemoration Service at The Cenotaph each year to honour those who died during the attacks on Darwin and to remember those who have died in the years that have passed.

This Friday at 9:58am we pause to reflect on one of the most significant moments in our history, the first Japanese attack on Darwin on 19th February 1942.

Darwin City Council invites the community to share in this commemoration service, we ask members of the public to be seated by 9:30am.

• Program for the Commemoration of the 68th Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin
• More information on the Bombing of Darwin
• Video Commercial for the Bombing of Darwin

U.S. Ambassador to Australia visits Lord Mayor of Darwin

On Thursday 18th February the U.S. Ambassador to Australia, his excellency Mr Jeffrey L. Bleich and the Consul-General Mr Michael Thurston visited the Lord Mayor of Darwin, Graeme Sawyer. The American Ambassador to Australia is the personal representative of President Barak Obama of the United States.

The Ambassador is visiting Darwin for the commemoration ceremony for the 68th anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin and is accompanied by his wife and the Consul-General Mr Michael Thurston.

Council submission to NT Licensing Commission

This submission is presented by Darwin City Council to the Northern Territory Licensing Commission following a series of Council decisions relating to the development of strategies to address the adverse impact of alcohol upon the Darwin municipality.

Council’s principle assertion in relation to adverse impacts of alcohol upon the Darwin municipality is that this issue is certainly not confined to the alcohol consumption of particular cultural groups or product types.

Rather, Council understands adverse alcohol impacts to be a much broader social and economic issue manifesting throughout Darwin in multi-factorial and complex ways, affecting a very wide range of socio-economic and cultural groups of community members requiring the development of highly rigorous (evidenced-based), far-reaching and innovative solutions in conjunction with diverse expertises both medical and non-medical.

• For more information read the full submission to the NT Licensing Commission

Acknowledgement of Country

As well as the traditional “Lords Prayer” Darwin City Council now has a new tradition a recital of the “Acknowledgement of Country".

The new opening protocol was introduced at the first Council meeting for 2010 and will remain as a fixture henceforth.

• To read the full story, click here....

Australian Government Funding for Local Projects

Lord Mayor, Graeme Sawyer shows Federal Member for Solomon, Damian Hale completed projects.

• Click here for full story

MY0800 - Darwin City Revitalisation

Darwin City Council is working with the Australian Government, the Northern Territory Government and the private sector to revitalise the economic growth, social and cultural development of Darwin city.

Works are underway. The Knuckey Street component is progressing well with the service trenching complete and the tree build outs excavated.

In the coming weeks we expect to complete the first pits at the Cavenagh Street end and see trees in place.

• For more information visit the MY0800 website

New Disabled Parking TV Commercial - "If you're Able?"

• Watch the TV Commercial Now!

2009 Technologist of the Year Awards

Darwin City Council's Asset Manager, Tom Maher recently received the prestigious 2009 Technologist of the Year Award from Engineers Australia. With more than 85,000 members nationwide, Engineers Australia is the largest and most diverse professional body for engineers in Australia.

Presented to a Technologist member of Engineers Australia, the Technologist of the Year Award is given to someone who has demonstrated competence and significant achievement in community affairs and a demonstrated understanding of the role and purpose of the engineering profession within society and proficiency in the use of communication skills.

Tom Maher has done an outstanding job at Darwin City Council in terms of Asset Management. His credentials in this area are exceptional. Tom is also a member of a national committee developing an international asset management manual.

Pride of Workmanship Awards

Darwin City Council's Environment Support Officer, Shelley Inglis was one of the eight Award Recipients who were from Government Departments and Business nominations. Shelley received her award from the Chief Minister, the Honourable Paul Henderson, in the presence of Lorraine Asprey, President of Rotary Club Darwin North and assembled guests from Darwin and Palmerston.

Shelley was nominated as someone who shows excellence in the workplace, particularly with Council's Waste Management Agenda, has a good attitude to her work, has demonstrated a passion for recycling and has been a cheerful 'can do' member of the Climate Change and Environment team.

2008/09 Annual Report

Darwin City Council has published their Annual Report for the 2008-2009 financial year.

Download it Now! To download the Annual Report 2008/09 as a whole document click here please note that this document is 3MB. To download previous Annual Reports got the Annual Report Page, The Darwin City Council Annual Reports are available for download through Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you require this program visit www.adobe.com for you free download.

The Department of Planning and Infrastructure, Darwin City Council and Litchfield Council are undertaking a review of the Greater Darwin arterial cycle path network. Local cycle path networks in Darwin and Litchfield Council  areas will also be looked at. The review will update the five year strategy that was produced in 2004 and provide direction for the future development of the cycle network.

Further information is available in the review document:

• Darwin and Palmerston Arterial Cycle Path Network Review (2.12MB)

Darwin City Council's Ten Year Financial Plan

Council is required under Section 126 of the Local Government Act  to prepare a Long Term Financial Plan and Council at its meeting on Tuesday 28 July 2009 considered a report on the 2009/10 -2019/20 Long Term Financial Plan .

Each year a 10 Year Financial Plan is prepared and presented to Council. The plan uses a series of assumptions to provide an estimate of Council’s financial position over time. This can help to inform Council on the longer term impacts of its current service levels, new initiatives and capital works program and make decisions regarding its overall financial direction. The 10 Year Plan also helps Council to set its parameters for the preparation of its annual budget and four year business plan.

One of the assumptions of the plan is an annual rate increase of 5.6% per annum. Over time it has become apparent that consistently increasing rates by CPI is not enough to generate the required amount of funds to sustain Council’s projected operations. Council in recent years when determining rate increases has considered a cost index of materials and services that is based upon an average of the CPI and the Tender Price Index prepared by Rider Levett Bucknall, who are reputable, global property and construction consultants specialising in cost management and advisory.

Council is responsible for $657M of infrastructure assets. Council’s 10 Year Capital Works Program which is incorporated into the Long Term Financial Plan includes capital expenditure of $217M over the ten years. This level of capital expenditure ensures that Council assets will be maintained and replaced as their useful lives expire. As part of the normal planning process the asset prioritisation model is reviewed and updated regularly so that the Long Term Plan reflects the current priorities for capital works.

Council’s financial position is strong. The Long Term Financial Plan forecasts Council holding significant cash balances at the end of each financial year. The plan also allows for significant capital expenditure each year to ensure the ongoing sustainability of Council infrastructure.

• Darwin City Council's Ten Year Financial Plan 2009/10 - 2019/20

2009/2010 City of Darwin Municipal Plan

Darwin City Council endorsed the 2009/2010 City of Darwin Municipal Plan and Budget at the Second Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 30 June. Council strives to deliver vital infrastructure and quality services. As with previous years, our planning is based on a long term financial strategy that maintains our assets and provides for growth of the city through new capital works and operational initiatives.

During the 2008/2009 financial year, council endorsed the new Evolving Darwin, Towards 2020 and Beyond Strategic Plan. The Evolving Darwin Strategic Plan sets out Darwin City Council's aspirational vision for the City which will now act as the basis upon which future decisions are made. The Evolving Darwin Plan is aligned to the long term financial strategy and now provides Council and our community a clear way forward and will influence the way in which Council operates over the coming years.

The 2009/2010 Municipal Plan aims to ensure that the needs of current and future residents, business and industry are met whilst balancing the community's capacity to pay. We believe this plan will provide an appropriate mix of operational service levels, ongoing capital works and new infrastructure initiatives within a responsible and financially sustainable framework.

• 2009/2010 City of Darwin Municipal Plan

Local Governments for Sustainability

Darwin City Council has successfully completed Milestone 4 in the Cities for Climate Protection Program. Council's achievement of this milestone demonstrates that Darwin is a leader in greenhouse action, through the implementation of innovative abatement actions.

The Lord Mayor Graeme Sawyer and CEO Brendon Dowd received the award at the Australian Local Government Association's National General Assembly on Monday 22nd June which was held in Canberra.

2009 Brolga Awards

Darwin City Council is proud to be a sponsorship partner of the 2009 Brolga Northern Territory Tourism Awards (Brolga Awards).

The Brolga Awards recognise and encourage tourism businesses that strive for excellence in every area of their operation. The competition is open to tourism operators, industry suppliers and outstanding individuals. The Brolga award is the industry’s highest accolade and the recipients represent the best products and services in the Northern Territory.

• For more information...

Nation Building Program - Roads to Recovery

Darwin City Council welcomes the announcement of the Nation Building Program Roads
to Recovery allocations for the period 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2014. Darwin will receive
$3.3M starting in July 2009.

• For more information...

Evolving Darwin - Strategic Directions Towards 2020 and beyond

The Darwin City Council endorsed the Evolving Darwin Strategic Plan on 16 December 2008.

The Council recognises the need for change and through its various plans will strive to do what is necessary to ensure the city continues to offer a great lifestyle, together with environmental, economic and social wellbeing and in doing so will provide growth and facilities to meet the needs of the people of Darwin and its visitors into the future.

We would like to thank and acknowledge all of our residents, community groups and businesses who provided feedback through public consultation. All of your thoughts and ideas have helped shape the final document. The goals and strategies outlined in the Evolving Darwin plan will support our City and our community to grow and prosper.

Many interesting ideas were put forward and many will be included in Council’s Operational Plans and implemented over the coming years.

• Evolving Darwin - Strategic Directions Towards 2020 and beyond

Graffiti Management Plan

After Hours number change

Darwin City Council's emergency after hours number has changed. As of 21 April 2008, the after hours number has changed from 0500 893 677 to 1800 099 557.

Work Zone Traffic Management

Click on the above link to access the Work Zone Traffic Management info-sheet