Demolition begins at Indo Pacific Marine site to make way for $40m cultural centre
A process of renewal is under way at Stokes Hill, with one popular tourist attraction about to be replaced by another. Read about the Territory’s newest project.
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Demolition work has begun to clear the way for construction of the $40m Larrakia Cultural Centre at Stokes Hill.
Crews moved into the site on Wednesday and demolition work is expected to wrap up on Friday.
The centre received a massive boost in September when the Territory government approved the transfer of a parcel of crown land worth $16.9m for the project.
The site at the old Indo Pacific Marine tourist spot is a registered Larrakia sacred site.
Owner of the historic Top End living coral exhibition Jon Ostara tried unsuccessfully to relocate the attraction before eventually returning it to the sea.
Larrakia Development Corporation began negotiations for the land with the NT government back in 2005.
The Centre will give the Larrakia people a focal point to share their culture and history with Territorians and visitors.
The project is part of the Darwin City Deal and funded by mining royalties paid into the Aboriginal Benefits Account.
The development application was lodged with the Development Consent Authority in November 2021 and detailed the LDC’s strategy for the centre.
The submission says cultural symbols underpinning the centre design include a ceremonial space and a “welcome to country journey” through the site’s landscaping, which will reflect the diversity of natural vegetation found in Larrakia country.
The building will be three levels, including an underground carpark, and contain two distinct wings joined by bridges at the upper level.
The cultural centre will sit equal to and lower than Stokes Hill. The three stories are the semi-underground carpark, the exhibition, classrooms and studios, and the top floor is a commercial office space, meeting rooms and harbour-view restaurant.
“It is culturally very important that this space have a connection to the sea,” the application said.
“The ceremonial space will consist of a circular space and an amphitheatre. The circular space adjacent to the amphitheatre will be the venue for important ceremonies to be performed.”
It said the centre is a “long-held ambition by Larrakia people to establish a purpose-built cultural centre to celebrate … history and living culture, maintain language and cultural traditions for future generations, and maintain and establish strong links with other Indigenous people”.
Larrakia Development Corporation chief executive Nigel Browne said the centre is “culturally strategic”.
“The Larrakia Cultural Centre has always been a culturally strategic project for the Larrakia Development Corporation on behalf of the Larrakia community.
The Larrakia Cultural Centre will be a place for Larrakia people to share, celebrate and showcase Larrakia country, language, culture and knowledge with the world,” Mr Browne said.
“For the Territory and Darwin community as a whole, the benefits will also be economical. “Once the Larrakia Cultural Centre opens the predicted economic contribution to the Gross Regional Product will be $48 million within the first 15 years of operation.”
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