The Northern Territory Government has released a public tender for remedial works to protect the structural integrity of the Chan Building in Darwin’s State Square.

The works will protect Northern Territory Government communication and technology infrastructure housed within the building and will prevent further damage caused by humidity and water.

The Chan Building was constructed in the 1960s.

An $18.3 million project to repurpose the building to enable it to host an art gallery was proposed by the former Northern Territory Government, with a tender released in February 2016. 

In April 2016, Halikos Pty Ltd was selected as the preferred tenderer.

The project was then put on hold and funding cancelled earlier this year by the former Government when the building was nominated for heritage listing.

The tender for that project has since been cancelled and the preferred tenderer was notified that the project will not be proceeding to construction.

The application for heritage listing of the building has been considered by the NT Heritage Council and the building is not considered significant from a heritage perspective.

Alternative plans for the development of a modern art gallery in Darwin will be considered by the Northern Territory Government as part of its Museums Master Plan.

Media contact - Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Shannon Rice 0477 388 404.