Beloved local businessman Ernie Chin passes away aged 78

NT development pioneer Ernie Chin has sadly passed away aged 78.

Ernie Chin sadly passed away.

A DEVELOPMENT pioneer with a massive development footprint across the Northern Territory has died.

Ernie Chin, 78, passed away in his sleep on Friday morning after a year-long battle with sarcoma cancer. He is survived by wife Cheryle and children.

Born in 1943, Ernie’s Chinese parents ran Darwin’s general store and a Chinese restaurant. Ernie was one of four boys and two girls and was about eight when his father died and his mother and sisters left for Sydney. Ernie and his brothers continued their education and ran the family business.

Ernie’s son Seth said these were some of the toughest and best times of Ernie’s life.

“He grew up in Darwin escaping school to go out bush with his friends and this time really harboured his love for the Territory,” Seth said.

Ernie’s first job was with the Northern Territory Survey Department and it was in this time Ernie fostered his deep love for hunting, fishing and living off the land.

Pioneering NT developer Ernie Chin sadly passed away. Picture: Supplied

While still working as a surveyor, Ernie began buying land kicking off his development career with subdivisions. “He was a visionary who saw beauty and potential where others did not,” Seth said.

He was also an all-rounder. Construction milestones such as building Corroboree Park Tavern were combined with buffalo catching for live export to Asia. Some of his most notable developments are Cullen Bay, Mandorah, Marrakai, Batchelor and Blackmore Village.

Ernie was involved with Darwin’s refugee community and helped many families, including Timorese and Vietnamese migrants who came to Darwin over the years.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner paid tribute: “Ernie Chin had a vision and parts of Darwin wouldn’t be what they are today if it wasn’t for him,” he said.

“He epitomised hard yakka – he began his career toughing it out in the elements, and even did his time wrangling buffaloes and wrestling crocs. His strong connection to the Territory and land led him to his next venture – real estate and development.”