Darwin’s Frances Bay to be a precinct for tourists

Darwin’s Frances Bay is to be revitalised into an exciting waterfront precinct for tourists, locals and boaties.

The Territory Government has today begun a market sounding process to gauge private interest in redeveloping the Frances Bay basin – aka the ‘Duckpond’ ­– and the adjoining ‘Gobi Desert’ site.

Chief Minister Adam Giles said the area presented a golden opportunity for an imaginative mixed-use redevelopment which would draw in visitors to the overlooked waterfront location.

“We’ve seen fabulous waterfront developments occur around Darwin and I believe there’s a great opportunity to rejuvenate Frances Bay,” Mr Giles said.

“The Duckpond is the heart of our commercial fishing industry and we want to keep it that way.

“Auckland and Hobart have turned their fishing ports into attractive harbourside destinations, where visitors can enjoy a drink, meal or catch a cruise.

“Darwin can do the same – and within just a stroll of the CBD. Our vision for Frances Bay would support fishing, tourism and harbourside living while creating new jobs for Territorians.”

The site is owned and operated by the Territory Government and the Department of Lands and Planning will be seeking feedback on its future use from business until September 30.

The ‘Gobi Desert’ is reclaimed land and developers will be able to consider further reclamation.

The city council’s Darwin City Centre Master Plan envisages an enhanced marina in the area and Lands and Planning Minister David Tollner said he would be interested in seeing this for the site.

“The Duckpond has 85 berths and is at capacity during the wet season, so expanding facilities in Frances Bay will be high on the agenda,” Mr Tollner said.

“As well as testing the market for development, we’ll also be talking to the Duckpond’s existing users to make sure their future needs are at the heart of this development.”

The market sounding process allows proponents to indicate their interest and formally open a dialogue with the Territory Government.

The sounding process will be finalised by the end of the year and the public will be kept informed regarding the future use of the site.