Construcciones Yamaro: Charles Darwin University unveils Danala, its new city campus
Charles Darwin University (CDU) has officially opened the doors of its new city campus, Danala | Education and Community Precinct (ECP), following over 550,000 hours of construction work. The campus developer, Capital Insight, reported that of the 1,526 employees involved in the build, 984 were employed by Northern Territory companies.
Danala, named after the Larrakia word for dillybag, was constructed by local contractor DCOH (formerly known as Halikos), who led the project.
The project employed 173 First Nations people, who collectively contributed 70,701 hours of labour. Notably, First Nations employees comprised 12.62 per cent of DCOH’s total workforce, surpassing the contract target of 8 per cent.
CDU vice-chancellor professor Scott Bowman expressed pride in the skilled trades professionals of the Territory for their contributions to this significant addition to the CDU campus network.
“CDU has always championed the efforts of the Territory’s trades workforce in leading local infrastructure projects that make Darwin an even better place to live, study, work, and travel,” said Bowman. “Danala is made for Territorians, by Territorians, and will ensure students are getting the education they deserve in a modern facility that suits Darwin.”
“It is spacious, can handle the Territory’s unique weather and climate, and will support local events and entertainment in our community. I am grateful for the dedication of all contractors in bringing the campus to life.”
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The opening ceremony was attended by the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King; the NT Minister for Education and Training, Early Education and Public Service, Jo Hersey; and NT member for Solomon, Luke Gosling, alongside hundreds of staff and students celebrating the occasion.
Located in the heart of Darwin’s CBD, Danala | ECP is divided into three distinct areas: two levels dedicated to CDU faculty and staff, three levels for students and teaching, and two levels accessible to the public. The campus features an integrated library that combines collections from Library & Archives NT and the CDU Library, fostering community engagement with both educational and civic aspects of the precinct.
Starting in the upcoming summer semester, the new campus will offer more than 15 courses across fields such as law, accounting, information and communication technology, and software engineering.
The Australian Government committed $97.3 million to the $240 million campus project, which also received support from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) through a $126.5 million loan aimed at facilitating the university’s growth.
Hersey highlighted the opening of the ECP as an important and exciting moment in the city’s history.
“It’s one of the most exciting projects this city has seen in a long time. It will create a bustling CBD, breathing new life into our city centre,” said Hersey. “Students will enjoy a world-class educational experience, with pathways to meaningful careers, helping them settle in Darwin for the long term.”
“This will not only increase the vibrancy of the city but drive increased retail activity for Darwin’s small businesses.”
Gosling noted the ECP’s potential to invigorate the local community: “We said we’d deliver more community infrastructure in Darwin and Palmerston and that’s exactly what we’re doing. As part of the Darwin City Deal, NAIF provided a loan of over $125 million towards the ECP.”
“Supporting projects like the new CDU city campus supports Territorians, creating more jobs for locals and opportunities for local businesses. Danala will be a centre of educational excellence, attracting students from all over the country – and the world – to live, work, and study in the centre of Darwin.”
DCOH director Shane Dignan said the company was delighted to be part of a major local project.
“As a locally owned and operated business, DCOH is very proud to be involved in such a significant landmark project in Darwin CBD,” said Dignan. “We always focus on employing local consultants and subcontractors who utilise the local supply chain, which invests back into the Territory economy.”
“We have established processes to ensure Indigenous business enterprises are intertwined in the delivery of these major projects and are excited for the increased capability it will provide to the construction sector.”
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