Seth Chin continues with Dick Ward Drive development

Work has begun raising the ground ahead of future development at a prominent Darwin site. Read what’s next.

Seth Chin and Michael Buckley at the site on July 1, 2025.

Negotiations started more than a decade ago between Gwalwa Daraniki Association and pioneering Territory builder Ernie Chin are inching ever closer to a development.

Earthworks at the high-profile Dick Ward Drive site near the intersection with Totem Rd will pave the way for a project development that will deliver long-term benefits to Gwalwa Daraniki Association members.

Before his passing in 2021, Ernie Chin played a pivotal role in initiating the rezoning of the prominent Dick Ward Drive site and restructuring the lease framework for Gwalwa Daraniki Association, laying the foundation for a stable, long-term income stream to benefit Larrakia people for generations.

After taking over the land in 2020, Ernie’s son Seth has continued working with Gwalwa Daraniki Association and has since been working towards meeting all development conditions associated with the land.

Last month, local civil contractor Ostojic Group was awarded the works and has commenced finalising the site pad.

On site at the Dick Ward Drive block. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Principal of Chin Property Group, Seth has also secured M+J Builders as a project partner. The partnership will ensure the site is delivered to a high standard, with a focus on quality construction and culturally aligned outcomes.

With M+J Builders being a Darwin-based Indigenous-owned construction company, Seth said the collaboration reinforced the project’s commitment to Indigenous participation and excellence.

“Dad had been working with Helen and the Association for over 15 years, negotiating the lease and planning the future of the site,” Seth said.

“Since his passing, I’ve taken over the land and am now making real progress towards finally developing it.

“He restructured the lease which saw an upfront one-off payment replaced by an annual payment for the remainder of the 99-year lease, which is a far better deal for the landowners.

“It will be one of the first times that an Indigenous Association like GDA will have economic empowerment through private land development, without relying on government funding.”

While works are underway, a site master plan is being prepared to guide future potential tenancies across the site.

Builder Michael Buckley and developer Seth Chin at the Dick Ward Drive site.

“The late Wet Season caused some delays, but we’re now on track to complete the pad construction within the next eight to 10 weeks,” Seth said.

“Once that’s done, we’ll move straight into the subdivision phase, which we’re aiming to finalise by early next year.

“We’re currently in discussions with several potential anchor tenants and are focused on finalising the one that best complements the area and sets the tone for the entire development. “Getting the tenant mix right is critical to ensuring the project generates stable, long-term income for GDA for generations to come.”

GDA spokesman Steven Doherty said Ernie Chin and now Seth have licensed interest over the site and ministerial approval for the subdivision pending conditions, such as raising the height of the site by a metre.

“Ernie and now Seth are interested in getting the site development ready so they can attract businesses to the site,” Mr Doherty said.

“We’ve been supporting Ernie, and now Seth since they first took a licensed interest over that portion of land.

“Seth wants to get top shelf tenants at the site. Ten or 15 years ago Ernie was thinking about storage sheds, and there’ll be no accommodation in case anybody’s worried about social housing. It could be just like the clock-tower site next door.”

Originally published as Seth Chin continues with Dick Ward Drive development