Momentus Hotel hangs in the balance as NT Government goes for economic growth

Plans to develop a Waterfront Hotel in Darwin hang in the balance, but a new twist has emerged in the development landscape.

Momentus Hotels proposed Waterfront development

The developer of a proposed $100 million, 11-storey Darwin Waterfront Hotel has gone silent as the months morph into years for the much-needed tourism infrastructure project.

This week marks the first anniversary since the project was first taken to the Development Consent Authority, with approvals granted late last year.

Singaporean hotel chain CEL Australia announced in May 2024 it would build, own and operate a 236-room hotel at Darwin Convention Centre.

It would be operated under CEL’s own brand, Momentus Hotels and Resorts and, if built, would be the first Momentus hotel in Australia.

Momentus Hotels proposed Waterfront development

CEL Australia spokesman Robert Lee said in January the company was waiting for Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority certification approval before work on the project could begin.

Indigenous organisations had not approved the certification months after it was lodged in August 2024.

The stumbling block, according to an NT News source, was a sacred site located near the Darwin Convention Centre carpark where the hotel would be built.

Traditional owners were concerned, hotel guests would be able to look through their windows down onto the site.

In a twist, the NT News can now reveal CEL Australia has withdrawn its application for an Authority Certificate.

Although it remains unclear exactly why, the NT News has been told its possible CEL Australia could relodge the application in another form.

The uncertainty has frustrated the NT Government, which is attempting to grow the economy and encourage infrastructure development.

In March, the NT Government announced plans to review the Territory’s Sacred Sites Act. Lands, Planning and Environment minister Josh Burgoyne said the government was planning to introduce amendments to the 1989 NT Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act.

He said the act had not been reviewed for 30 years.

“I have met with the Board of the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) and representatives of all of the land councils to discuss the need for modernisation of the NT Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1989 (Sacred Sites Act),” he said.

“The Sacred Sites Act has not been updated in more than 30 years, and any updates will seek to strengthen the protection of sacred sites, while ensuring the efficiency of regulatory processes for the safe development of the Northern Territory.”

Originally published as Momentus Hotel hangs in the balance as NT Government goes for economic growth