Katherine population growth boosted by new estate
A new residential development in the Northern Territory town of Katherine will help grow the local population by more than a quarter, the territory government has announced.
Katherine, around four hours outside of Darwin, is set to become a hub for local employers, planning minister Peter Chandler said.
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In response to increased demand for accommodation in the region, the government has signed off on a new housing development on a 42-hectare site in Katherine East.
The new accommodation is slated to significantly increase Katherine’s population, which the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports is at 6,094 residents.
“This development, when completed, will accommodate well over 1,500 people, boosting Katherine’s population by almost 25 per cent,” Mr Chandler said.
The estate has the capacity to accommodate 500 new dwellings once fully developed.
Construction on stage one will commence later in the year, with around 180 lots.
Mr Chandler believes the land release will drive economic growth in the region.
“The Country Liberals are firmly focused on driving development in our regional centres to promote growth and investment, with almost $35 million included in the recent budget for regional and remote land release,” he said.
In his view, the land release would also benefit nearby regions.
“Surrounding areas of Mataranka, Kalkarindji and Timber Creek have been identified as areas that will benefit from land release,” he said.
“The government is negotiating indigenous land use agreements with these communities and land councils.”
