Dubai has done it, now Darwin could be next. Plans to build homes on a futuristic island off the Nightcliff Foreshore are evidently more than just a drop in the ocean, with geotechnical studies underway, Peter Kafkas says.
Darwin-based developer Halikos Group has confirmed it will begin drilling offshore this weekend to gather geotechnical samples.
“The samples are part of preliminary studies for a possible offshore residential development,” Halikos said in a statement yesterday.
“Should the project proceed, the Halikos Group expects to do detailed environmental studies, lodge a development application … and do comprehensive community consultation.”
With Darwin growing rapidly, the island plan would provide an unconventional step to ease to the Top End property squeeze.
The concept was first revealed by Planning Minister Peter Chandler during a Budget Estimates hearing last year.
At the time he said a proposal for a man-made island, which would be built about 200 metres offshore roughly from the point where Progress Drive turns into Casuarina Drive, had been referred to the NT Planning Commission.
The Palm Islands are two artificial islands in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in the shape of palm trees. The Belgian and Dutch dredging and marine contractors Jan De Nul and Van Oord, were hired to complete construction.
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