Luxury Darwin hotel project attracts more than 10 bidders
The timelines for expressions of interest to build a luxury hotel in Darwin have been pushed out to accommodate greater interest in the project.
The deadline for registration of interest in the major project had been December 11, but was bumped to January 29 next year.
Expressions of interest will now close on February 26.
At the North Australia Investment Forum held last month, the Giles Government indicated there had been “significant interest” in the project.
That interest has now increased, with the NT News understanding more than 10 groups may pursue the hotel.
Last week Chief Minister Adam Giles and Tourism NT bosses, including chairman Michael Bridge and chief executive Tony Mayell, visited China with other industry leaders.
The delegation stayed at the Landbridge Jinjiang International Hotel in the city of Rizhao, located in the Shanhaitian Resort district.
The $200 million luxury six-star hotel is owned by the Landbridge Group, the lessee of Darwin Port.
It boasts 212 rooms, of which 172 have sea views, and describes itself as a “comprehensive business hotel”.
It has a conference and convention centre that can hold 2000 people. The hotel was designed by Japanese firm KKS, which specialises in hotels.
Owner of Landbridge, Ye Cheng, has expressed an interest in investing beyond the port. He organised a meeting in Beijing for the Territory delegation with major Chinese airline Hainan Airlines, which also operates hotels, and the Civil Aviation Administration of China to discuss a direct air link to the NT.
Hainan will be starting direct flights from the ancient capital Xi’an in the Shaanxi Province to Sydney on Wednesday.
A range of site options exist for a luxury hotel in Darwin, including government-owned vacant land. A site near the Deckchair Cinema has been previously identified. However, a Giles Government source said the eventual site could end up on private sector land, given the level of interest.
The Government wants the luxury hotel to be located in the Darwin CBD close to business centres, the Parliamentary precinct and key tourism sites, including the Darwin Waterfront and Convention Centre.
Bidders will have until February 19 for any additional information on the evaluation criteria, which will be used to assess EOI proposals.
The Government hopes to announce its preferred proponent by July next year.
Source: NT News, Ashley Manicaros, 21st December 2015
