The Charles Darwin University Danala Campus – Education and Community Precinct, has been selected as a national finalist in the 2025 Project Management Achievement Awards (PMAAs).

Capital Insight was engaged for all phases of the project, from initial brief development, funding and development agreement confirmation, approvals, design, procurement, delivery/ implementation and operational commencement, providing strategic leadership, management of the extensive engagement and relevant agreements with both Government and non-government stakeholders, and detailed management at all phases of the project implementation.

The overall category winners will be announced at the annual conference in Sydney on 8-9 September. Capital Insight has previous won a PMAA award in 2014 (Chris O’Brien Lifehouse), 2016 (Westmead Institute for Medical Research) and 2020 (UNSW Lower Campus Sciences and Engineering Precinct).

Project Summary

Charles Darwin University (CDU) partnered with the Commonwealth, Territory and local governments, and traditional owners to create a new focus of culture and education. Reflecting a government framework – the ‘Smart Cities Plan’ – the new facility aimed to address common challenges in our cities through clever design and use of technology. The project sought to revitalise Darwin, attracting new residents, students and businesses, encouraging broader investment through the creation of an iconic Education and Civic Precinct, that maximised the cultural and civic benefits to the local community.

Danala incorporates Charles Darwin University’s new city campus, the Northern Territory Library, and a new public domain for Darwin. This new Precinct will transform the city centre, attracting more international students to Darwin, boosting retail activity and bringing vibrancy to the city centre.  Projections are for a campus population of 3,850 face-to-face students on site by 2028, of which 65% (2,500) will be international students. This precinct is the centrepiece of the Darwin City Deal, a joint initiative between the Australian Government, the Northern Territory Government and the City of Darwin, that intends to position Darwin as a vibrant and liveable tropical capital city, supported by a growing population and diversified economy.

The Education and Community Precinct (ECP) is designed to be welcoming and inclusive of not just students and staff but the community at large.  Whilst the upper levels accommodate a wide range of teaching spaces, computer labs, a Moot Court, extensive informal learning spaces, as well as workplace for university staff, the lower levels accommodate a grand foyer connected to the campus’ public domain, an Art Gallery, Territory FM, maker spaces and art studios, various venues for large gatherings, including public lectures, conferences and exhibitions, in addition to the Northern Territory Library.  A 2-level basement accommodates 231 car parking spaces, in addition to motorcycle parking and end-of-trip facilities.

The completed facility has been widely accepted as a significant community facility that will become of focus for revitalisation of part of the Darwin CBD.