TOURISM operators in Alice Springs have been delivered good news, after Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett deferred a decision which would have banned people from climbing Uluru, which used to be called Ayers Rock.

It’s claimed the speculated 100,000 climbers per month were littering and defecating on the rock, during the climb, which also risks eroding the 348-metre rock.

THE Department of Defence has approved a new 97-dwelling housing project, to be developed at the Larrakeyah Barracks.

The Rudd Government will replace 61 existing homes for the Australian Defence Force and their families.

It's expected the project will cost about $52.4 million.

PLANS for a 14-level, $50 million apartment block have been earmarked for a site next door to the Novotel Hotel in Darwin.

The new tower, proposed by property developer John Halikos, will see the hotel car park converted into a building containing 21 one-bedroom apartments, 54 two-bedroom units and 36 three-bedroom units. The development would include three levels of car parking, including two built into a basement.

Hakinos paid $24 million for the 4-star Novotel hotel in September (refer previous article below).

DARWIN's Novotel Atrium Hotel, at 100 The Esplanade on Darwin Harbour, has sold to private investors the Halikos Group for $24 million.

The 140-room, 4.5 star hotel was offloaded by Tourism Property Investment Group, and was sold with a 17-year management agreement to Accor, according to selling agents Colliers International.

Halikos Group managing director Shane Dignan said the purchase was "in line with a strategy to refresh the group's property portfolio and seek prudent investments in the Northern Territory."

REVISED concept plans have been released for a luxury mixed use development, within the wals of the former Commonwealth Bank building in Darwin's CBD.

Sydney-based Tanner Architects has been appointed to design the new tower, which is being developed by the Commonwealth Hotel and Residences development, and Fannie Bay Investments Philip Grice.

The development, which was first proposed in 2007 according to the Northern Territory News, will rise 21 levels, and contain seven levels of offices, two levels with 24 hotel suites, and 10 levels with 44 "own your own" apartments.

To be developed on the corner of Smith and Bennett streets, near Darwin's state square precinct, the project is being considered by the council and Development Consent Authority.