Former Larrakia Development Corp chief celebrates collapse of $100m project as sacred site win
The former head of Larrakia Development Corporation has celebrated the collapse of a $100 million Darwin hotel project as a victory for traditional owners protecting sacred sites.
The former head of Larrakia Development Corporation has celebrated the collapse of a $100 million hotel project as a good day for traditional owners, claiming the development had changed since key negotiations he himself participated in.
On Tuesday Singaporean developer SingHaiyi Group pulled the pin on its 11-storey luxury hotel project following sustained objections it would impact an Aboriginal sacred site.
Nigel Browne was chief executive of the Larrakia Development Corporation from 2013 to March this year, working with the Darwin Waterfront Corporation to develop its masterplan which included designs for a high rise hotel at the convention centre as far back as 2022.
“The developer’s decision to withdraw is a positive thing for Larrakia,” Mr Browne said.
“This is one of the few remaining sacred sites we have in the Darwin CBD area, and the fact we still retain the stories for this site, we have the history and the recognition, should be something that is celebrated and respected.”
In 2024, he was pictured alongside Larrakia traditional owner Richard Fejo and then-NT Government Major Projects Commisioners Jason Schoolmeester, with representatives from Singaporean hotel developer SingHaiyi Group.
But Mr Browne maintained opposition to a high-rise from traditional owners was not new, and that original plans had been for lower-set resort accommodation.
“It wasn’t three years of letting people believe this was going to go forward no matter what … people have known about this issue for a long time now,” he said.
“Plus, if people have changed their views – in light of more information and as it became clearer what the proposal actually was – that’s their right.
“One of the things that’s been consistent here is that we have taken the lead of Larrakia elders who have a history of custodianship over that site.
“We aren’t anti-development. But if there’s a development on Larrakia country that creates a real threat to one of our few remaining sacred sites, people can’t expect us to simply sit by.”
Earlier this week Larrakia elders Bill Risk and Helen Secretary applied to the federal government to protect the Stokes Hill site under heritage laws, arguing the proposed hotel would have blocked the line of sight from the hill out over the harbour.
According to Larrakia Dreaming a tawny frogmouth sits sentinel at the site and surveys land and sea to keep country and people safe.
Ms Secretary – who ran as a Country Liberal Party candidate in last year’s NT election – said she was happy to see the hotel axed, but said the fight was not over.
“They (developers) will keep coming as we no longer have the protection of the NT Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act, so we need to keep going,” she said.
The CLP government passed reforms which in effect allowed the hotel to be tacked on to an existing Stokes Hill sacred site development certificate granted in 2004.
“We will continue to have problems until the changes that the NT government made earlier this year are removed. We have been completely stripped of our power and this will affect not just the Larrakia people, but Aboriginal people throughout the Territory,” Ms Secretary said.
Northern Land Council chair Matthew Ryan echoed calls for sacred sites and Aboriginal heritage to be properly protected by the NT laws.
He said the hotel saga “shows that you cannot ignore the importance of sacred sites and meaningful engagement with traditional owners”.
The CLP government said it was “a priority” to build the hotel and has indicated it would seek another developer.
Trade, Business and Asian Relations Minister Robyn Cahill said it was important for the Territory’s economy and tourism sector to see such projects delivered.
“We’re very disappointed at how this has all turned out,” she said.
A statement released by SingHaiyi Group’s Australian representatives expressed regret.
“After receiving the development approval in July 2024, we were advised of a concern relating to the development. To address the concern, we explored various changes to the development but was unable to come to a result that would make the development feasible,” it said.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to the Northern Territory government for their support, collaboration, and guidance throughout the process, and we remain grateful for the constructive partnership we have shared.”
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Originally published as Former Larrakia Development Corp chief celebrates collapse of $100m project as sacred site win
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