Chief Minister Michael Gunner today officially opened the Harry’s Place Administration Building, marking a new beginning in the delivery of community services in Darwin.

Harry’s Place – a shared community space is supported by the Australian and Northern Territory governments and will offer a range of community, allied health, education, training and direct care services. The Administration Building was funded through a $10 million NT Government package, which sees Stage 1 of this project completed.

Mr Gunner said the completion of this important community asset will enable the co-location of groups in a centralised location.

“Territorians deserve to live in safe and inclusive communities with access to high quality services, and the Harry’s Place Administration Building is an exciting addition to the community sector,” he said.

“The co-location of like-minded community organisations in a building such as this will increase efficiencies and capacity, allowing the focus to remain on the delivery of quality services to clients.

“Tenants will have access to shared reception and shared corporate services, as well as kitchens, meeting rooms and conference spaces.”

Carpentaria Chairperson Peter Stewart is delighted to see Stage 1 of the Harry’s Place development complete.

“This project is the result of many years of collaboration with like-minded stakeholders and I acknowledge the countless hours of work by Carpentaria staff, community sector representatives, families, Darwin businesses and government representatives to see this vision realised,” he said.

An Australian Government commitment of $8.5 million will support Stage 2 developments which are expected to commence later this year.

Harry’s Place is named in recognition of Harry Giese, Director of Welfare in the Northern Territory Government (1954 – 1970) and the first President of the then Northern Territory Spastics Association which was established in 1973. The precinct aims to:

  • Serve a vital role in the community by creating the opportunity for the co-location of a range of community, allied health, education and training and direct care services
  • Develop critical mass, economies of scale and efficiencies across the community services sector so more resources are directed at front line services to build organisational capacity, self-sustainability and less reliance on Government funding
  • Address disadvantage by providing purpose-built, multi organisation, integrated community infrastructure that creates opportunities and improves the lives of disadvantaged Territorians
  • Enhance the long term sustainability of community service providers

Further information about Harry’s Place is available here.