The project area was a former industrial area, more recently used as a series of government instrumentality works depots, varying in ages, states of use and disuse. Surrounded by significant roads, residential and commercial industrial areas as well as environmental buffers, the site was at a crossroads.

Combine that with the opportunity of a future major public transport node and its ability to influence the surrounding area was considerable. The primary objective was to prepare a vision document and accompanying master plan for the site.

Working with the Department of Lands, Planning and the Environment, we:

• Got to know the site thoroughly;
• Liaised with relevant government and private stakeholders;
• Met with key investment groups;
• Defined the site’s development parameters;
• Prepared a draft master plan;
• Liaised with a project control group; and
• Refined the plans.

Element Advisory produced an urban renewal master plan for 20 hectares of under-utilised government land strategically located on a planned transit corridor and close to Darwin’s CBD and Papa. The master plan is responsible for establishing and designing the vision for the sites as a transit-oriented urban village. The project is expected to ultimately generate around 3,000 dwellings, along with local shopping and business opportunities as part of a pedestrian friendly, high density precinct.